by Raquel Arnold

Created on: May 19, 2010

Women who are having trouble in paradise? Check. Men who are hesitant to settle down? Check. Awkward situations that somehow miraculously work themselves out? Check. While "He's just not that into you" undoubtedly meets all the requirements to be labeled a chick flick, the movie manages to take the worst of relationship cliches and turn it into a charming tale of lust, love, rejection and acceptance. 

The story focuses on the love lives of ten people, all of which are interwoven with the other in some way. Gigi (Gennifer Goodwin) is followed more than any other character. Perhaps the most unlucky of the bunch, Gigi is constantly looking for Prince Charming, instead ending up with toads who ignore her calls. The only relief Gigi seems to get is through confidant Alex (Justin Long), who attempts to educate her about men - essentially telling her, over and again, a guy just isn't that into her. Mary (Drew Barrymore) is much like Gigi, but focuses on her career, pushing her love life to the back burner. 

The most prominent couple in the story is Beth (Jennifer Anniston) and Neil (Ben Affleck), who, despite being in a relationship for seven years, still haven't decided to jump the broom, much to Beth's chagrin. 

Meanwhile, there's Conor (Kevin Connolly) and Anna (Scarlett Johannsen), an on-again, off-again couple who skirt around the boyfriend-girlfriend label as long as they can. And then there's Janine and Ben (Jennifer Connelly, Bradley Cooper), the only married couple whose marriage is undoubtedly on the rocks. 

Based on the self-help book of the same name and directed by Kevin Kwapis (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), "He's just not into you" manages to avoid the otherwise unavoidable cheesiness that comes with a romantic comedy (and a self-help book, too). Title screens between scenes are taken from the chapters of the book, which helps what would be an otherwise confusing and muddled plot. As seen in "Traveling Pants," Kwapis's specialty for directing appears to be in the art of weaving the journey of multiple characters into one, and it works beautifully in this movie as well. 

The ensemble cast is surprisingly good, and each actor was respectfully able to hold their own and deliver a solid performance. Goodwin, however, steals the entire movie with her love-able portrayal of Gigi. Anniston and Affleck also share an unexpected chemistry as Beth and Neil, and they have arguably the most interesting and heart-warming connection of all. 

If you aren't into romantic comedies, then "He's just not that into you" probably wouldn't be a good choice for movie night. But if you've ever wondered how long you should wait before calling someone after the first date, this movie is for you. 

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