Kate Hudson (left) and Ginnifer Goodwin. Photo / Supplied
Kate Hudson (left) and Ginnifer Goodwin. Photo / Supplied
Thank goodness for the sunny and sexy New York setting and the comedic timing of John Krasinski (The Office, Away We Go); both shining lights that elevate what is otherwise a sluggish rom com based on Emily Giffin's novel of the same name.
New York is warm, welcoming and stylish,character traits which unfortunately don't rub off on the film's core characters. Krasinski is one of the co-stars in this story's game of relationship roulette. Sharp and witty, he isn't afraid to call it like it is when good friend Rachel (Goodwin) suddenly realises she's in love with her old friend Dex (Egglesfield), who just happens to be engaged to her best friend Darcy (Hudson).
It's not so much the premise which is off-putting, we all know sleeping with your best friend's fiancee isn't a good thing, but the way the film attempts to rationalise this misadventure. Something Borrowed would have you believe that if you're 30 and single you're also miserable and unfulfilled, no matter how successful and rewarding your life otherwise, so Rachel's biological clock justifies dropping the good girl routine and fighting dirty for a chance of true happiness. Here was I thinking 40 was the new 30.
To be fair Something Borrowed acknowledges these situations are not as simple as they first appear; Darcy is a self-obsessed and thoughtless friend, and Dex and Rachel almost dated in college - just before Darcy swept in. However, what starts out as a promising modern take on friendship and loyalty just becomes a drawn out "will they, won't they".
Ginnifer Goodwin is very sweet and relatable as Rachel and does the best she can with limited material, but love interest Colin Egglesfield (Melrose Place) looks terrified about his move from television to big screen lead and delivers a particularly wooden performance. Award for the most baffling turn, though, goes to Kate Hudson, it's a scatty, pitchy and melodramatic performance and she couldn't have made Darcy more unlikable or unwatchable if she tried.
It doesn't matter whose side you're on, this film about making choices and their consequences would have been easier to swallow if the characters were, quite simply, nice enough to care about.
Stars: 2.5/5 Cast: Colin Egglesfield, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, John Krasinski Director: Luke Greenfield Running Time: 114 mins Rating: M (Offensive Language & Sexual References) Verdict: Tolerable rom-com that should have borrowed some charm.
