What Would Rob Do: To Avoid A Chick Flick?

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Rob Sachs, NPR

For my latest podcast I speak with Howie Deutch, the director of "My Best Friend's Girl," which is now in theaters. The topic we discuss is how to know which movies make great date movies and which ones are cringe-inducing chick flicks sure to emasculate even the most macho guys out there.

Deutch says that where most movies go wrong is in being overly sentimental. He qualifies this by saying movies can have a sentimental scene, but the characters have to earn it. When you're watching, you have to buy into the idea that the two characters really like each other and that there's a real romantic connection. In case you're wondering, Deutch assured me that this is, of course, the case with My Best Friend's Girl. If anyone sees the film this week, let me know your thoughts. I, sadly, won't be going to see it because I have a 7 month old at home.

But back to the topic -- how disappointing is it when you watch one of those movies where the characters haven't "earned it," as Deutch puts it? I think what really doesn't work for me is when I just can't believe that the two people would actually be going out. For example, in "Lost in Translation" Bill Murray's character seems way too old to get Scarlett Johansson. I'm sure there are countless movies that fit this category of mismatched romantic leads. Anyway, you can listen to the rest of my podcast for more on this topic.

3:11 PM ET | 09-22-2008 | permalink

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