How Do You Know
In “How Do You Know,” the latest film from heralded director James L. Brooks features iconic themes that bear his signature, examining romantic and familial relationships, and profound disappoints and unexpected revelations within them. Career choices, natural aptitude in a much-loved and chosen profession are also important to Brooks – and his characters.
“How Do You Know” centers on professional woman’s softball player Lisa Jorgenson (Reese Witherspoon), who must contend with being cut from the U.S. team and revealing the limited opportunities for a female professional athletes. She also finds herself as the tip of a romantic triangle, with a superstar baseball player, Matty (Owen Wilson) and beleaguered businessman George (Paul Rudd), whose troubles intricately involve his mogul father Charles (Jack Nicholson).
Some critics have dubbed this film as “talky,” but they’re not acknowledging that characters whose “process” involves “talking it out” is clearly one of Brooks’ signatures. “How Do You Know” is more than a little reminiscent of Brooks’ 1987 film, “Broadcast News” (for those who’ve seen it – think of Witherspoon as Holly Hunter’s driven character, Wilson as William Hurt’s and Rudd as a more attractive version of Albert Brooks.
This is comedy with a good deal of smarts. Brooks’ characters don’t just spew out nuggets of information or wisdom, clearly from the keyboard of experienced writers. Of course, Brooks is nearly legendary in Hollywood. More importantly, his characters in “How Do You Know” are layered and nuanced – like real people. Despite being easy to identify – recently cut professional softball player, celebrity baseball player, troubled businessman – these are thoughtfully profiled people — you don’t just immediately like one person, dislike another.
While the audience may have an idea of “who ends up with who,” the film’s plotline isn’t just a linear means-to-an-end, rather it offers up a genuine story. They are characters in a state of flux, in life changing circumstances. After knowing nothing but being a professional athlete, Lisa, at 31, must re-evaluate her career, her priorities and what she really wants from life. Matty, despite his charming superficiality, realizes that he is actually, finally, getting to the point where he may have to consider the proverbial “settling down.” Genuinely “nice guy” George may find himself making the biggest decision of his life, and it is one that involves family vs. love.
A secondary plotline involves George’s hapless, pregnant assistant, Annie (Kathyrn Hahn) and her crisis of conscience, devotion to George, and lack of commitment from her baby-daddy. Hahn is an excellent actress who is often relegated to best friend or long-suffering girlfriend. She’s shone in HBO’s “Hung,” “Revolutionary Road” (demonstrating her range – she’s not only a comic actor), “Step Brothers,” “Crossing Jordan,” “A Lot Like Love,” “Anchorman,” “Win a Date With Tad Hamilton,’ and “How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”
With its spot-on cast, intelligent – and purposeful banter – “How Do You Know” is funny, sharp, witty and engaging. Everything you need in a movie to enjoy it.
