While watching this movie I had a feeling of déjà vu. I could swear I had seen Matthew McConaughey in this same situation before – successful businessman and womanizer that doesn’t believe in true love. (I think this is his standard role).
In Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Connor Mead (McConaughey) is a photographer with a thriving business and an equally prosperous social life. He learned everything he needed to know about women from his cynical, eternally single uncle, Wayne. Connor travels to his brother Paul’s (Breckin Meyer) wedding weekend where he lets slip a secret that could turn Paul’s fiancée Sandra (Lacey Chabert) into an even bigger psycho bridezilla than she already is. Also present in the wedding preparations is Connor’s childhood friend, Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner).
During the evening, Connor is visited by the ghost of Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas) as well as three other ghosts (déjà vu again). I enjoyed the scenes with Allison Vandermeersh (Emma Stone), not because of her character (she kind of annoyed me) but because as Allison and Connor traveled through various points of Connor’s life, the soundtrack reflected songs from each time period. I thought that was a nice touch.
At first, Jenny annoyed me. I thought she was too bossy, but after a while she grew on me – a strong, positive woman. I was glad to see that she wasn’t taking any crap from Connor! I also liked the father of the bride, Sergeant Volkom (Robert Forster) who told a hilarious yet revoltingly inappropriate story during the reception.
There were a few funny lines in the movie, and every time Sandra threw a temper tantrum, I couldn’t help but laugh at her – she was just so ridiculous. Also there was a comical scene involving the wedding cake that you just have to see to believe.
Women will enjoy this movie for what it is. Men probably won’t. And definitely leave the kids at home, not because of adult content, but because they will be uninterested. Seriously, there were some kids sitting near me and I could feel their boredom slapping me in the face.
Overall, this film was not bad, but not great. It was fluffy, feel-good fun.
