How Do You Know (www.the-usher.com)

"I can't hear this"

Having been a professional woman’s softball player for most of her adult life, Lisa (Witherspoon) does not know what to do with her life after she is dropped from the USA team. Should go back to college and finish her education or should she find a man and start a family, are questions that are going through her head because this is what other retired players have done after been cut from the team. See decides to go for broke with baseball player Matty (Wilson) who has problems adjusting to an adult relationship but then she meets George, whose life is a complete mess but he might just be her ideal man.

Writer/director James L. Brooks does not release a film very often but when he does it usually make a splash but can ‘How do you know’ continue that ripple?

Even though he has brought us the critically acclaimed and beloved classics ‘Terms of Endearment’, ‘Broadcast News’ and ‘As Good As It Gets’, James L. Brooks is probably best known for his creating some classic American TV shows. With shows like ‘Rhoda’, ‘Mary Taylor Moore’, ‘Lou Grant’ and the classic ‘Taxi’, Brooks also had a hand in developing one of the most popular shows on television, ‘The Simpsons’, so he knows how to pull your heart strings and most importantly, make you smile and for the female part of the population ‘How do you know’ does exactly that.

While is it simple to see that ‘How do you know’ is a sugary sweet, very Hollywood look at a love triangle, there is something about the film that will endure you to it. The story of a girl who has an enforced life changing moment and how she copes with that has been a plot device that is well walked but there is something here that hits all the bases. For a film that covers baseball and women’s softball, the story takes a quite a few swings, hitting ground balls when it comes to providing belly laughs, striking out when it comes to bringing anything original but there is something about the cast that brings the film to the home plate.

Reese Witherspoon has a knack of playing characters in romantic comedies that are easy to like. While she has been gaining plaudits for her more dramatic roles of late, she made her name playing roles like Lisa. Paul Rudd may be better known for his more outlandish comedies such as ‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’, ‘ The 40 Year-Old Virgin’, ‘I Love You, Man’ and ‘Role Models’ but he did make his name in more romantic roles in films like ‘Clueless’ and on the TV show ‘Friends’. When it comes to playing slightly kooky characters that are a little bit out there (or he is probably just playing himself), Owen Wilson has it nailed and as baseball star and the trying to be reformed womaniser Matty, he plays the part to a tea. Add to this Jack Nicholson as Paul Rudd’s Dad, with Jack just been Jack and you have a cast that will keep you watching.

‘How Do You Know’ is a movie that is simply nice. While it will appear to a more female demographic, this is a film that couple can enjoy. It may not hit any home runs but it will make it around the bases.

Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Material

Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by James L. Brooks
Blooper Reel
Extra Innings Featurette
Commentary with Filmmakers
Select Scenes Commentary with James L. Brooks and Owen Wilson

Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Material

Interactive Script Gallery
“The George” Featurette with Optional Commentary with James L. Brooks
A Conversation with James L. Brooks and Hans Zimmer Featurette
Additional Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by James L. Brooks

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2011