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Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009)
Director: Mark Waters
Synopsis
A serial womanizer is led through his romantic history by the Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Present and Future. Stars Matthew McConaughey as the Casanova Scrooge figure.
Movie review
From Time Out London
Imagine yourself in a Hollywood pitch meeting. ‘Hey,’ says an executive, let’s do “A Christmas Carol”. But instead of that loser crap – lame boys on crutches – let’s make it about a sleazy Lothario at a wedding who learns that his lifestyle is, like, shallow. Plus, the spirits are hot chicks! And let’s cast the fratboy star who’s incapable of wearing a shirt whenever a photographer is around.’ You wonder: aren’t people tired of Matthew McConaughey’s aw-shucks act? The suit scoffs. It’s greenlit.Sounds cynical? Yes, because this is the kind of breezy fantasy about recognising true love and courting redemption that inspires misanthropy. There’s precious little to laugh at – not the lead’s one-dimensional swagger, Michael Douglas’s Rat Pack-meets-Robert Evans jive talk or an anti-misogyny parable with the gall to make every female a neurotic shrew or a sex-starved harpy. McConaughey’s character must face up to past trangressions; maybe, one day, those behind this rancid farce will have to deal with theirs.
Author: David Fear
Time Out London Issue 2019, May 1-7 2009
User reviews of this film
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- Bobarus said...
- Posted on Jun 03 2009 14:45 This film was very poor, even big Matthew couldnt save it!!
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- jo sanders said...
- Posted on Jun 02 2009 00:45 this film was so bad! i watched it for free and wanted my money back!
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- JJ Cocker said...
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Posted on May 28 2009 00:54
A very funny film with a real story that also bought a tear to my eye. Michael Douglas's character was a bit cheesy, but that was the whole point.
An interesting adaptation of a Christmas Carol with a similar modern day approach that Pretty Woman took with My Fair Lady/Pygmalion.
I guess it is a chick-flick so probably not what the boys wanna see, but maybe they should. - Report as inappropriate
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- Joan said...
- Posted on May 26 2009 02:18 This movie was bad, we left before it was over. Such a ridiculous plot! With what should have been a good cast it was most disapointing. Not funny, not clever I couldnot think of anything good to say about any of it.
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- meg 4 ham said...
- Posted on May 25 2009 18:42 I'm goin to see this film tomorrow cause it looks good. Great reviews, apart from Time out, will be great to prove them wrong! Looks great and i'm sure will be great.
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- ELLIE POO said...
- Posted on May 17 2009 14:03 I HAVENT SEEN IT,BUT I HAVE SEEN THE AD AND IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD,AND I CANT WAIT 2 C IT !!!!!!!!!!!!
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- jaycee said...
- Posted on May 17 2009 09:29 much much better than the reviews say. McConughey has done this kind of thing before and too often, but the script and the other actors (especially Emma Stone and Michal Douglas) make it an entertaining fun film that keeps you laughing throughout. A lot funnier than most romcoms.
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- Russell said...
- Posted on May 15 2009 22:02 No it's really not
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- Russell said...
- Posted on May 13 2009 20:36 OK first off it's fairly obvious McConaughey cannot carry a film even one as light as this, but this is not a bad film, it's funny, Jennifer Garner is very good, Micheal Douglas is hamming it up gloriously... all in all it has its moments, if only they had cast Owen Wilson or even Vince Vaughan... or any of the others they usually use to play someone who is likeable despite being morally repugnant it woulda been better, but it's got laughs and aint a waste of an evening.
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- RyZo said...
- Posted on May 09 2009 15:44 I went to see this film with my girlfriend, im 14 and some people have been saying its not a guys film but i actually liked it quite a lot!
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- Pretty Pink Babe said...
- Posted on May 08 2009 12:58 I went to see the film last night with an Ex boyfriend, it was great seeing his face as i was relating to him the whole way through lol... great Girly flick but not a mans film,
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- morri said...
- Posted on May 07 2009 09:33 Not quite sure about this film,the concept was a good idea,but it lacked something. There were some funny parts,and a lovely ending, not as good as 17 again though.6/10
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- S Jones said...
- Posted on May 06 2009 19:47 Deserves more than a 1* rating really funny and a feel good factor movie that made us laugh for a change. Highly recommened.
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- claire said...
- Posted on May 06 2009 19:23 great film..recommend it for anyone!
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- Eliza said...
- Posted on May 04 2009 17:16 this film was incrediable! full of laughter and joy.. i was laughing the whole way through this film. with a spectacular story line and not too unpredictable you can enjoy this film like no other before.
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Cast & crew
Director: Mark Waters
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: 12A
Duration: 100 mins
UK Release: May 1 2009
US Release: May 1 2009
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