MOVIE REVIEW GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST
'No Acting Required' is a common phrase coined by performers whenever a lightweight scene appears. Coasting through a sequence where little effort is needed a thespian's ability to do nothing whilst appearing doing something has 
enabled some to establish long careers. A beneficiary of this principle is Matthew McConaughey, whose failure to emote is the beginning of the atrocities committed in this ghastly ghostly piffle.
Gregarious gigolo Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is a lecherous lady-killer of the highest order. Flexing his pecs and smiling his pearly whites, his charms have led to many late night trysts. Attending the wedding of his brother, he reacquaints himself with old girlfriend
Jenny (Jennifer Garner). Always in love with her, his wicked ways has created an invisible barrier between them. This slowly crumbles due to the presence of his dead Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas). Showing him how life has panned out with the help of three female spirits, Wayne's guidance will hopefully turn his nephew into the man Jenny has always wished him to be.
Girlfriends Past is a classic example of what's wrong with current romantic comedies. Crafting a story based on total fantasy rather than heightened realism this completely erases any shred of sincerity or character empathy. This shocker does the genre no favours which has seen it deteriorate in quality over the last 
twenty years. Sadly it seems the days of sophisticated romances laced with intelligent witticisms are long gone with inane triteness replacing it. Its heavy borrowing from Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' would surely be enough reason for the great writer to haunt the creators for using his work on this travesty.
It's biggest mistake is its embracing of unlikeable caricatures and absurd farce. The constant tug of war between various comedic styles makes for jarring viewing with not one character having any redeeming qualities. The only people enjoying themselves are Douglas and Emma Stone who, as two very stran
ge ghosts, manage to have some fun amongst some dire performances. About its only surprise is the absence of the obligatory shirtless scene for which McConaughey has become known. With an 80's soundtrack featuring REO Speedwagon unfortunately reminding of the more dubious tunes deriving from that pastel lined decade.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is a predictable effort equivalent to cinematic fast food. If this is the best screenplay McConaughey has been o
ffered lately, one has to question how much long his career can last before similar endeavours see it shuffle off to its mortal coil.
Movie Review Rating 0 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Official Movies Home Page click here.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
enabled some to establish long careers. A beneficiary of this principle is Matthew McConaughey, whose failure to emote is the beginning of the atrocities committed in this ghastly ghostly piffle.
Gregarious gigolo Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is a lecherous lady-killer of the highest order. Flexing his pecs and smiling his pearly whites, his charms have led to many late night trysts. Attending the wedding of his brother, he reacquaints himself with old girlfriend
Jenny (Jennifer Garner). Always in love with her, his wicked ways has created an invisible barrier between them. This slowly crumbles due to the presence of his dead Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas). Showing him how life has panned out with the help of three female spirits, Wayne's guidance will hopefully turn his nephew into the man Jenny has always wished him to be.
Girlfriends Past is a classic example of what's wrong with current romantic comedies. Crafting a story based on total fantasy rather than heightened realism this completely erases any shred of sincerity or character empathy. This shocker does the genre no favours which has seen it deteriorate in quality over the last 
twenty years. Sadly it seems the days of sophisticated romances laced with intelligent witticisms are long gone with inane triteness replacing it. Its heavy borrowing from Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' would surely be enough reason for the great writer to haunt the creators for using his work on this travesty.
It's biggest mistake is its embracing of unlikeable caricatures and absurd farce. The constant tug of war between various comedic styles makes for jarring viewing with not one character having any redeeming qualities. The only people enjoying themselves are Douglas and Emma Stone who, as two very stran
ge ghosts, manage to have some fun amongst some dire performances. About its only surprise is the absence of the obligatory shirtless scene for which McConaughey has become known. With an 80's soundtrack featuring REO Speedwagon unfortunately reminding of the more dubious tunes deriving from that pastel lined decade.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is a predictable effort equivalent to cinematic fast food. If this is the best screenplay McConaughey has been o
ffered lately, one has to question how much long his career can last before similar endeavours see it shuffle off to its mortal coil.
Movie Review Rating 0 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Official Movies Home Page click here.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
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