"How Do You Know" Didn't Hit the Bullseye

I adore Reese Witherspoon. There is something about her that I just like. I feel like we could be good friends. You don't often find the quality when it comes to actresses. Sandra Bullock has it. Jennifer Aniston has it. Reese Witherspoon has it. Few others, unfortunately, do.

That is why I was excited to see her recently released to DVD film entitled "How Do You Know?" Granted, I'm not a huge fan of Owen Wilson, but I can take him well enough and I do like Paul Rudd. I also love Jack Nicholson. Therefore, it seemed this movie was destined to make my day.

Reese plays Lisa, a member of the USA girl's softball team. There is only one problem. She is getting older and the coach is ready to force her out into the real world. That is something for which Lisa isn't prepared. As she puts it, she never thought marriage and babies were for her.

Lisa is also a bit socially challenged. She has always hung out with jocks. Sports is pretty much all she knows. So when Matty (Wilson) - - a baseball player - - comes along, she automatically gears heads in his direction. There is only one problem. She's not even really sure she likes him so how can she know if she loves him?

Then enters George (Rudd), the manager of a securities brokerage firm under investigation by the federal government. Since he was the CEO, he is the focus of the investigation even though it appears he has no idea what took place.

It doesn't take long for the audience to realize that is George's father, played by Nicholson, who should be the focus of the investigation. But instead of serving himself up for his crimes, it appears he is willing to let his son take the fall.

George and Lisa are thrown together by several accidental circumstances and they develop an unusual but sweet friendship. She wonders if it could be something more but she is, of course, with Matty. George, on the other hand, is determined to make it something more and he pursues as relentlessly as he feels he can.

The screenplay written by James L. Brooks is full of great comedy sequences that should work beautifully. Oddly for some reason; however, they just don't. That isn't to say there aren't great moments in this film. There are plenty of them. There are also just a few too many strange and down right uncomfortable ones as well.

My favorite part of the film is actually George's administrative assistant, played by character actress Kathryn Hahn. Without her and Nicholson, this movie wouldn't have any deep belly laughs. They provide them and they keep the movie moving forward with the sheer power of their will and amazing comedic timing.

So what is wrong with this movie? It isn't Wilson. He is as good as Wilson ever is. I don't happen to care for his brand of comedy but he does it well and it is no different here.

It isn't even Rudd. He's an amiable and charming enough for a romantic comedy leading man. He even has a moment of two of brilliance in this floundering film.

A part of the problem could be something I thought I'd never hear myself say. It could be Witherspoon herself. The role just doesn't suit her for some reason. She tries hard and she really isn't bad in any sense of the word. I don't think she could be bad even if she tried. But the role just isn't a good fit for her and you feel it with every passing frame.

In the end; however, I really fault the writing. Lisa isn't well fleshed out as a character. There is nothing about her that the audience can grab on to and love. That, in turn, gives Witherspoon nothing upon which to build her character, which is her forte. Lisa is a bit too one-dimensional. I found I really didn't care what happened to her. That's not what you want in a movie heroine.

Sadly, this movie falls flat most of the time. It has great moments but it still manages not to deliver any real punch. For that reason, I can only give it two and one-half out of five stars.

RATING SCALE USED:

0 = A stinker. Don't waste the money!
1 = Bad. Rent it at your own risk.
2 = Below average. See only if you have time to kill.
2.5 = Average. A toss up.
3 = Good. Worth a looksee.
3.5 = Very Good. I recommend it.
4 = Excellent. Don't miss it!
4.5 = Outstanding. What are you waiting for?
5 = Destined to become a classic. You will be sorry if you don't see it.