Rampant cliches seem to be as unavoidable in big-studio romantic comedies as greens are in a lunchtime salad. (Yes, my pre-Christmas diet plan is already affecting my blogging.) And much like it’s vital to jazz up those blasted bits of romaine with zesty cranberries and spicy chicken chunks, a good romcom trailer needs to balance its formulaic plot devices with genuinely funny dialogue and setups. With that in mind, let’s all watch the preview for the Katherine Heigl-Gerard Butler vehicle The Ugly Truth and tally up our individual cliche-to-laugh ratios.
I spotted 12 different cliches on just one pass at the 150-second spot: big-city TV-producer heroine archetype; chauvinist-with-a-mushy-heart love interest; too-perfect red-herring boyfriend (a surgeon, of course); "opposites attract" theme; wacky scheme ("let’s take down the Neanderthal love guru!"); gown/outfit try-on sequence; baseball-game date; comical/sensual eating of foodstuffs; spilled beverage on aforementioned red-herring boyfriend; miffed kick under a table; guy directs girl through date with other guy (via earpiece); sudden and "hilarious" introduction of a term like "ladygarden" (ugh). Unfortunately, the ugly truth is that The Ugly Truth trailer only made me laugh once, a sort of half-chuckle after Heigl’s character bitchily reveals she’s done a background check on her blind date. I have to give the trailer points for its use of Nikka Costa’s "Everybody Got Their Something" and Mika’s "Grace Kelly," but these are automatically deducted by the fact that Cheryl Hines is relegated to silent background status. Could it be The Ugly Truth will be even more wretched than 27 Dresses? I can’t wait to not find out!
More on Heigl, Butler, Romcoms:
‘27 Dresses’: Owen Gleiberman’s review
‘P.S. I Love You’: Lisa Schwarzbaum’s review
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Exclusive: Izzie/Denny ghost story twist revealed!
PopWatch Previewer rates trailer for Sandra Bullock’s ‘The Proposal’
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This is exactly why I hate Katherine Heigel. She is a terrible actress in terrible movies. Grey’s was the only thing she remotely did well in and I still hate her in that. She’s an abomination and needs to just stop being in front of the camera.
She’s charming, but whether she can really act in other non-headlining roles is the question. Thats the difference between doing a few movies as a romcom lead/sweetheart or moving into julia roberts/reese witherspoon territory
Hooray! Misogyny is hilarious and I love to pay ten dollars to watch it for an hour and a half!
Yeah, uh, wasn’t it Katharine Heigl who was talking about how sexist “Knocked Up” was when she did it? So…she doesn’t like being in sexist movies…so she runs off and signs up for…this? Hmmm.
Heigle is a piece of poopoo.
I have to admit, I kind of loved 27 dresses..wedding movies (but mostly James Marsden) just do that to me. And while I’ll go see this movie because I don’t think I’ve missed more than a few rom-coms in the last six years, the preview sure does not make it look that great. I agree the only part in which I laughed was during the background check scene. Mostly, Gerard Butler’s character just looks completely gross, though I have to give props for finding someone less obvious to play the role.
Katherine is a terrific actress and she looks gorgeous in this. I dont think this will be at all like 27 Dresses (which was harmless rom com fun)because it has an R rating. I think it will definitely have an edge to it. Can’t wait.
Cara – Heigl didn’t talk about how sexist “Knocked Up” was…when asked about the portrayal of women in the movies..she said she thought it was a “little sexist” but added that the exaggeration of the characters was what made the humor. As usual mindless idiots just picked out a single quote and ran with it.
Okay #1, let Gerard Butler use his hot accent and not be a generic American. If Tom Cruise can be an American Nazi, why can’t they let this guy just be Scottish in the movie (oh right, then it wouldn’t matter what a jerk he was, everyone would fall in love with the accent). Oh and I almost forgot – I despise Katherine Heigl. Looks like an awful movie.
I’d rather watch paint dry.
I love Gerard but I will skip this.
If you haven’t seen it – he’s a great movie called Dear Frankie w/Emily Mortimer. and the movie has a great soundtrack!
Rex! Isn’t that Rex from Days of Our Lives? I’d almost go see it for him…almost.
From the superb “Dear Frankie” to this mindless drivel. What happened, Gerard?!?!
I have hated a lot of recent rom/coms. but I really liked 27 dresses, and this one looks cute too. Heigel is very enjoyable and Butler is hot. I will prob go see this in the theater
I wouldn’t go see Heigle with your vageigle.
Thanks alot, EW, for the pic! Seeing ONE Katherine Heigl makes me shudder…16 just about sent me into convulsions.
Yeah, it looks stupid, but I’ll watch anything with Gerard Butler. Dang it!
Yeah, it looks stupid, but I’ll watch anything with Gerard Butler. Dang it!
well duh, what’s a girly romantic comedy (i.e., chick flick) without cliches? i love chick flicks (27 dresses included) and i’m going to see this too. also Bride Wars and Confessions of a Shopaholic.
There certainly seems to be no love lost here for Katherine. The movie has potential and Gerry has natural quick humor. Lets not bash it before it gets out, everyone might be surprised.
honestly couldn’t make it to the end of the trailer. looks very formulaic like you said. Don’t buy Gerard butler in the role either.
I think Gerard is as delicious as the next girl, but recently saw PS I Love You and even his hotness couldn’t save how not good he was in it. He looks equally as awkward in this. If he’s not shirtless yelling “This is Sparta” I’m not sure I buy it. And I like Katherine, but this looks meh. 27 Dresses was meh as well, and the only reason I watched was to see James Marsden finally get the girl. He’s too hot to always get dumped in movies (The Notebook, Superman, X-Men, Enchanted).
Hey, look everybody! It’s Katherine Heigl playing Katherine Heigl. Again. Arrogant, above it all, and not at all funny. But since it’s the holidays, let’s look at the bright side of things– if this piece of crap attracts all of the lemmings below, maybe it will do well enough that K.H. starts making HER exit plan from Grey’s. Please, Santa, Please!
It’s not Heigl’s or Butler’s fault. If you like romcoms, the quality is so bad, that the bar keeps getting lower. So many other genres are formulaic, but they manage to surprise and delight us. I think the last time I saw a romcom and thought, “hey, what a good movie!” was When Harry Met Sally. How long ago was that? I know there are better scripts out there, but why aren’t they made? Do they think we love to be bored to death? But, I guess it’s partially my fault. I keep going to these things, hoping upon hope that one will be good. The ABC Family Originals are getting better than the first run dreck at the theatres.
I will watch it just for Gerry…just not in the theater. Rental only.
Uhhmm – I think Tina Fey or Amy Poehler used the term “ladygarden” on SNL 3 or 4 years ago. Get with the times, Slezak!
Heigl looks really pretty ill give her that.. but this movie’s trailer sucks!!!!!!! WTF? this is one movie i’m gonna miss..
Its a rom com they are all fairly formulaic anyway. The people who watch them aren’t going to see it for that reason – its for the feel good factor. That said this is R rated..so it should definitely not be too fluffy. I am looking forward to it because I am a big fan of the very lovely Katherine Heigl.
Cool! I love Katherine Heigl and enjoyed 27 Dresses despite the fact it was totally predictable. She was excellent and I am sure she will be in this too.
“Dear Frankie” was a nice little movie, & Butler’s acting elevated it to something more. He was awfully good & has been very good in several other movies. But his latest choices have been odd. This is his 3rd support role to a Hollywood actress in poor films (Jolie, Swank & Heigl), & Variety said he’s working on signing to support Aniston in an upcoming romcom. Needless to say, that has to be a bad move. I’m left thinking he’s decided that he prefers to make money in bad movies instead of doing good work for less pay & letting that lead him toward great wealth, both monetary & otherwise. To tell the truth I had thought more of him when I saw him interviewed many yrs ago. As for Heigl, she grew up in the business & has let her looks lead the way rather than honing her craft. Whatever. I won’t be paying to watch this damage in the theater.
Looks fun, love Heigl. We’ll be there opening weekend!