He’s Just Not That Into You Parent Guide

There simply are not enough daisies in the average field to handle all of the “he loves me, he loves me nots” in this movie about Baltimore Generation X and Y women who question why men can’t communicate what they are really thinking.

The huge cast in this film offers just about every relationship combo you can imagine. Neil (Ben Affleck) has been madly in love with his mate Beth (Jennifer Aniston) for seven years, but his disdain for marriage has his partner wondering if she really is in a committed relationship. Meanwhile his friend Ben (Bradley Cooper) has been married to his college sweetheart Janine (Jennifer Connelly) for a decade, but when he bumps into the hot blooded Anna (Scarlett Johansson) at the grocery store, he suddenly begins questioning his dedication.

Then there’s Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) who works with Janine and Beth. She’s so desperate for a man of her own that males run when she walks into a bar. Aside from turning to the office girls for advice, she taps into the experience of bartender Alex (Justin Long), who is happy to provide what she thinks is an objective opinion. Meanwhile poor Conor (Kevin Connolly) has been desperately trying to steal the sexy Anna’s affection, but she only seems to turn to him when nothing else is working out. Finally Mary (Drew Barrymore) sits in front of a computer in a different office creating advertisements, including one for a handsome real estate agent who she has only met through technology.

If it sounds like Sex and the City, you won’t be surprised to discover the script is based on a book written by two of that series’ writers. This tale (that feels as long as its title) embellishes the romantic miseries of each of its poor participants while intercutting the story with “chapter” openings that tag onto the title like, “He’s just not that into you if he’s sleeping with someone else,” or “he’s not marrying you.” If you’re thinking those two indicators seem like no-brainers, then there’s a good chance you won’t have the patience to sit through this.

Obviously a film dealing with mature sexual topics and situations won’t be appropriate for the whole family—although the production doesn’t dwell on gritty details as much as it could have. It does show a few instances of pre and post-sexual relations in bedrooms, on sofas and at the office (the last location being the most explicit), however no nudity is depicted. Language includes a single sexual expletive along with an assortment of other scatological and moderate profanities. There are also some crude sexual remarks and discussions from both heterosexual and homosexual characters.

During these 128 minutes you can expect a lot of near-miss meetings, passionate discoveries and painful separations, yet one thing is for certain—the woman will come off victorious even if he’s just not that into you.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.