Story

Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a young woman who is unlucky in love and having trouble meeting the right man. She shares her woes with barman Alex (Justin Long), who tells her what messages men are really sending out. Gigi also confides in workmate Janine (Jennifer Connelly), who appears to be happily married to Ben (Bradley Cooper). Ben, however, has fallen in love with the seductive Anna (Scarlett Johansson). The story becomes increasingly complex with several interconnecting relationships. These challenge the ideals of marriage and fidelity and the predictability of human behaviour.

Themes

Relationships; marriage and divorce

Violence

There is some violence in this movie. For example:

  • A young boy pushes over a little girl in the playground and tells her she smells of dog poo.
  • Janine smashes a mirror and throws out all of Ben’s things.
  • Several heated verbal arguments take place.

Sexual references

There are some sexual references in this movie. For example:

  • Characters discuss who has slept together.
  • Ben tells Janine he’s slept with another woman.
  • Characters mention gay relationships, discussing how gay people pick each other up.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

There is some use of substances in this movie. For example:

  • People drink alcohol at various venues – at home, in pubs, at parties and so on.
  • Ben smokes but lies about it.

Nudity and sexual activity

There is some nudity and sexual activity in this movie. For example:

  • Anna strips off her clothes and jumps into a pool (but we don’t see any flesh).
  • Anna is shown in sexy underwear.
  • Anna and Ben are shown kissing and fondling each other. They are about to have sex in Ben’s office but are interrupted.
  • A couple is shown in bed together after sex.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in this movie: Marlborough and American Spirit cigarettes.

Coarse language

This movie contains some mild to medium-level coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

He’s Just Not That Into You is a romantic comedy with an excellent cast. It is about relationships and the common mistakes that people make.

The main messages from this movie concern what is important in making a relationship work and whether happiness can be found only in love.

This movie could give you the opportunity to discuss with your children attitudes, behaviours and their real-life consequences, such as:

  • the effects of casual sex and relationships
  • commitment and fidelity in marriage.

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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