Not-So-Romantic Comedy
Trust the Man
Review by Ross Anthony

Caught this on cable. Lot's of snarky, but often times quite clever dialogue. Serious adult relationship issues are handled extremely lightly. Though, billed as a romantic comedy – it's far more a comedy than romance. In fact, it may actually be more a farce than a romance film.

Duchovny and Gyllenhaal are a pleasure to watch on screen – they are so good at what they do – I'd love to see a film where they are the leads in a relationship with each other. Here, Duchovny couples with Moore (who is always solid, but somewhat un-effecting here. And Gyllenhaal with Crudup who feels acutely miscast. His role was screaming for Keanu Reeves of a Pauly Shore.

This rickety (and oft times empty-feeling production) at leas has a script and stars (especially Duchovny) that deliver lots of edgy little subtle jokes. The dialogue is crisp and crunchy, but the romance is nearly completely absent save for the climax that for that reason feels out of place, but nonetheless sweet syrupy (if a little cliché) – anyway, it choked me up. It should have stopped with that gain, but oversteps to resolve complication number two. (And whatever happened to the children's book? And we only get one small scene with Shandling? Totally not fair!)

And I fail to understand the awkward title. (Check out Evolution to get your Duchovny fix in a good film.)

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  • Trust the Man. Copyright © 2006.
  • Starring Julianne Moore, David Duchovny, Billy Crudup, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eva Mendes, Ellen Barkin Gary Shandling, James Le Gros.
  • Directed by Bart Freundlich.
  • Screenplay by Bart Freundlich.
  • Produced by Sidney Kimmel, Tim Perell, Bart Freundlich at Fox Searchlight/Process.

Grade..........................B- (1.5/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Monday, 07-Jan-2008 10:32:17 PST