If women have a tickling biological clock waiting to implode, then men seems to have an in-built antenna that zones in to numbers when it comes to selecting their dates - they love numbers that starts with 2, hesitant with numbers that opens with 3 and resist numbers that begins with 4.

One may argue that it is all biological. Men look for healthy mates to propagate healthy offsprings and youth is a major indicator of health and thus, fertility. I am told I am considered an ‘old maid’  in China, where most girls married in their early to mid 20s, and my value as a spouse has diminished considerably because of my ‘reduced capacity’ to bear offsprings! In my heart, I think I would rather be mature enough to know what I want in my spouse and have the commitment to carry through the ups and downs of marriage, than marry for the sake of marrying. After all, China’s divorce rates are climbing furiously and young people seems to think nothing of marrying and then divorcing in a year or two.

We as a society on the whole, have fixated ideas on how old our partners should be, how tall our spouses should reach and how much money they should be making. It’s only a number and dating is also a numbers game. The number of singles in Singapore is climbing, partly because of all these fixated ideas on our ideal spouses. Men in their 40s only wants to meet women in their early 30s or even younger, but women in this age group prefers younger men. Women in their late 30s wants to meet men in their late 30s and older but such men does not want to meet them!

Is it any wonder that the number or singles continue to rise?  What good does it do us when we have all these fixated and pre-determined criteria when we continue to be single and dateless?

Nothing ground breaking here; not avant Garde cinema or oscar-worthy acting or direction, but it is entertainment with plenty of dating tips and the dos and don’ts. And of course plenty of eye candy. =P

Uptight TV producer girl can’t get a man, hates the guts of boy who gives brutually honest advice on love and sex on TV show. And loves forlicking with bikini-clad girls in jello pool. Girl needs boy’s help to snare her dream man but realises that she cannot be herself when with him….and boy and girl fell in love at the end.

Formulaic storyline, cliche even but it probably allows one to focus more on the scripting and acting, which  is where this movie truly shines.
Witty banter and a whole lot of sexual  innuendoes filled up most of the film. Sexual references abound but are written in such a tactful way that they do not come off as crass or crude. There is wit to the humor in this movie that utilities word puns and double meanings in their jokes to good effect!

Mike: [From red band clip] You’re all about comfort and efficiency!
Abby Richter: What’s wrong with comfort and efficiency?
Mike: Well nothing, except no one wants to fuck it.

Abby Richter: My cat stepped on the remote.
Mike: Well, be sure to thank your pussy for me.

The characters and situations are written in such a way that anyone could easily identify with them, which lends to a greater emotional involvement in the film.

There is also undeniable chemistry between the leads. Special mention goes to Gerald Butler who proves to be an exceedingly versatile actor. Remembered him in 300? All that 8 packs and hard muscles?  He nails the carefree, in-your-face, yet internally bitter character of Mike Chadway to the point that it is easy to forget the actor playing the role and just become so involved with character himself. Katherine Heigl does a satisfying job as Abby, lending both her acting chops and eye candy (check out that booty and blonde hair!) to the lead role.

A suprisingly enjoyable movie. Have watched too many romantic comedies that are like warm expired coke – no frizz and full of artificial sugar, and it leaves you wanting none of that stuff again.

Check the official The Ugly Truth Website and there is a quite a fun application to play! You can choose which type of guys you’d like to date and Abby and Mike will give you advice and the outcome will depends on whose advice you took! hahahah! A good way to pass some time….

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/theuglytruth/site/