In Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past, Matthew McConaughey takes the lead as the gorgeous, smooth-talking, emotionally shallow photographer Connor Mead. Mead is stuck firmly in his womanizing ways, and stops at nothing short of breaking up with 3 women simultaneously via teleconference. But Mead is forced to face his past while attending his brother’s (Breckin Meyer) wedding, which is held at his late uncle’s (Michael Douglas) estate.
After spouting off about love as “comfort food for the uneducated” Mead shambles into the men’s room only to find his late uncle back among the living. His uncle, the player to end all players, confronts Mead about his relationship choices, and warns of three ghosts who will help him change his life, whether he likes it or not. The trip begins with Mead’s first kiss, and from there plays out in painful detail the choices that made him the man he is today. Most of the heartache revolves around his first love, Jenny (Jennifer Garner), as well as the tutelage he receives from his larger-than-life uncle Wayne.
I was happy to see Garner in a role that really suited her; she was a nice opposing force to the shallow Connor Mead. However, the chemistry here is not nearly as exciting as that between McConaughey and Kate Hudson (How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days, Fool’s Gold). The film still managed to present some truly funny moments, and some poignant messages. It was a relief to see McConaughey in ANY role after the dismal Surfer Dude. In this film we get the suave, handsome, coolest-guy-in-the-room we all love. But FYI, he somehow never manages to take his shirt off in the film, which I must say is a first.
When all is said and done, I really liked The Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past. It’s a fun flick for date night, or for any McConaughey fan. Sweet, funny, and romantic; this film has most certainly secured a place on my DVD shelf. – [DVD]
Comedy/Fantasy/Romance
Rated PG-13
DVD Release Date: 9/22/09
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