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Original poster

To think that this film is horribly sexist?

25 replies

Bellebelle · 10/03/2009 23:53

Don't get me wrong, I like to zone out in front of a so called 'chick flick' from time to time as much as the next girl but have just returned from watching 'he's just not that into you' and I can't believe how horribly sexist it was. The women were portrayed as pathetic, needy idiots and the men were mostly commitment phobic arseholes, it's not going to keep me up all night but I wondered if anyone else has seen it and what you thought?

OP posts:
RnR · 10/03/2009 23:55

I think the title is awful!

Uriel · 10/03/2009 23:55

I haven't seen it, but my teenage dd didn't rate it.

BitOfFun · 11/03/2009 00:46

I really liked it, and I didn't think the women were pathetic at all...I can't see what's not to like, sorry!

screamingabdab · 11/03/2009 08:25

I was put off seeing it by reviews that suggested it was sexist

MorrisZapp · 11/03/2009 15:52

It isn't a sexist book, unless slagging off men is sexist.

The basic premise is, that if a guy acts all cool and not interested, then he's just not that into you, and having sex with you doesn't mean he wants a relationship etc.

It's a bitter pill to swallow but it had me squirming in recognition at my youthful stupidities.

If I knew then what I know now, eh!

Looks like a truly shit film right enough.

oska · 12/03/2009 15:50

But it's so true, the way us women over analyse stuff when it comes to men as well as other things. Crikey - look at the amount of hand wringing that goes on in these forums!!! Do you think men would be doing the same?!

BitOfFun · 12/03/2009 15:55

Morris, it wasn't shit at all! It depends what you like, but it was like a fairly intelligent Woody Allen movie, but without him IYSWIM.

Guadalupe · 12/03/2009 15:57

The title makes me cringe

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 12/03/2009 16:00

I've been wondering about this film as it's had some pretty appalling reviews along the lines of the OP.

Interested to hear it's more Woody Allen.

I wonder if I'll like it (a 37 yr old liberal feminist)

BitOfFun · 12/03/2009 16:21

Being of the liberal feminist persuasion myself, but obviously a generation younger at merely 35, I would recommend it

Queenoftheharpies · 12/03/2009 16:36

Funnily enough, I've just been praising the book, over on another thread.

I think the book is actually quite feminist in that it encourages women to take control of their lives to act with self-respect and independence, instead of expending energy accommodating men who act like dicks.

Mind you, that's easier said than done

IcingOnTheCake · 12/03/2009 16:41

I remember when that line was used in Sex and the City. Miranda was really liberated by it.

It makes sense really because unfortunatly you do get women who try and make things happen with a guy when he's just not that into them.

JODIEhadtoomanymincepies · 12/03/2009 16:46

Well I quite liked it and I saw it with a single friend who cringed in all the right places!

The story basically turns a really needy, pathetic, desperate woman in to someone who takes charge and sees that she doesn't really need a man in her life, just wants one.. The man in question is a self absorbed 'slag' who doesn't 'need' anyone in his life, it turns him around to see thats it is actually nice to have someone to share things with.

There are some other great storylines in it too, and Ben Affeck, who is fit!

I'm surprised that anyone could see it as sexist TBH.

It's chick flick at it's best!

BitOfFun · 12/03/2009 16:49

It's not much like the book, to be honest. I think it uses some of the phrases from it and kind of hangs its "chapters" or characters' stories around illustrating the premise, but it's really not a "how to" film at all, just one about different, loosely connected characters and their love lives.

I really liked how the characters weren't painted as bad or nasty even when they were doing wrong or stupid things - they were just flawed human beings. And some of them turned out to be better than you would have given them credit for.

mayorquimby · 12/03/2009 16:55

"It isn't a sexist book, unless slagging off men is sexist."

surely slagging off men is sexist. (bangs equality drum)

BitOfFun · 12/03/2009 16:58

MQ, they weren't slagged off in the film, oddly. Everyone, male and female seemed very 3-dimensional to me. Even the man having an affair is seen as struggling with it and trying to do the right thing.

mayorquimby · 12/03/2009 17:01

i was only referring to a post which deemed something "not sexist" but in the same line admitted that in her opinion it slagged off men.

haven't seen the movie yet (doubt i will, although i do like justin long soi might watch it on sky eventually) but my gf went and she said it was awful. not sexist or anything, just really bad in her opinion.

Morloth · 12/03/2009 17:02

I think if you go to see a chick flick you get exactly what you deserve

I would rather chew my own arm off.

TheCrackFox · 12/03/2009 17:06

I don't mind the odd chick flick, but this one looks dire.

"He is Just not That Into You" is a lesson that most of us learn by the time we are 19. However, the average age of the actresses look to be about 32.

Original poster
Bellebelle · 12/03/2009 17:19

The book was inspired by that episode of SATC and although I haven't read it I have heard that the film (like so many) is no where near as good as the book.

Have to laugh at Woody Allen comparison, I'm a big fan of a lot of his films and wouldn't put it anywhere near the quality of his scripts. I do see what you mean regards the fact that it focuses a group of people who are inter-connected but that's is where the comparison stops for me.

I think that the film had the potential to give a positive message to women about not obsessing over men but it totally missed the mark. Also, I don't think that just the women were badly portrayed, the men too were shown as one-dimensional characters who fitted common stereotypes (adulterers, commitment-phobes etc).

TBH I think I was in the minority at the cinema though as both of the people I was with (and from the sounds of it all the people around me) loved it!

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 12/03/2009 17:26

The adulterer wasn't shown as a total twat though, and Affleck turned put to be a very decent guy.

I loved it, sue me!

Olifin · 12/03/2009 19:07

I'm totally with the Crack Fox here. snigger

I just can't imagine learning anything really insightful from this film, it sounds horribly cliched...like SATC, in fact.

However, I can't really justify passing an opinion without seeing it and I doubt I ever will so ignore me!

Olifin · 12/03/2009 19:25

Sorry, didn't read the instructions and didn't realise that would come out bold!

troutpout · 12/03/2009 19:37

The title was enough to make me suspect as much tbh

Ronaldinhio · 12/03/2009 19:39

AIBU that I've just had to ask my dh if I saw this movie in the cinema so unimpressive was it.....

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