Villavicencio-Life as We Know It

Although finding a decent romantic-comedy is a rarity in itself, Life as We Know It(2010) could easily be one of the worst movies I have yet to force myself through.  

At first, the movie had a seemingly promising cast, Katherine Heigl taking her usual role as an impeccably groomed control freak and Josh Duhamel once again playing the pretty—occasionally bad—boy. The movies plot, however, should have been a enormous red flag: Despite mutual hatred, two people are forced into a life together when shared friends die in a car crash and leave them in custody of the two people’s goddaughter. Any love story that’s forced by two other deaths is strange to begin with, but as the movie reaches its 40^h minute, the annoyance of a constantly crying baby and unrelenting bickering between the two characters makes for an extremely irritating 2 hours.

In reference to acting, I have always felt that Heigl only knows how to play one type of character. Although not a Greys Anatomy fan, I enjoyed her performance in Knocked Up. When 27 dresses and Killers were released however, doubts arose, as her static character grew more irritating then cute, likeable, or even relatable.  Although towards the end of this movie she is supposed to warm up to fact that she is now a full time mother, the hour and half leading up to this revelation is far more annoying then convincing. She doesn’t have the motherly quality you would think someone casted for this film might. Also, as you’d probably expect romance and comedy in a romantic comedy, this film is devoid of them. The romance between Heigl and Duhamel isn’t believable, thus leaving no room for comedy either. I guess I would have to blame both Heigl’s inability to transform, as well as Director Greg Berlanty to cast.

As for editing, I believe the shots were too long and drawn out, a factor that leaves audience restless and inattentive. Because the movie is intended to be a romantic comedy, which most often is slathered in predictability, there was no room for creating suspense, unless a baby far from diaper or bathroom about to have a bowel movement is something you’d call suspenseful. I will however give credit to the director for allowing shots of the baby, obviously not a trained actor, to seem quite realistic. The baby’s expressions are not forced and no digital editing was used.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend the film, (or actors and director for that matter), unless you are a fan of drawn out (un)romantic comedies.

Life as We Know It