Someone Like You suffers from schizoid perspective

Julien R. Fielding

Despite its unoriginal and forgettable title, "Someone Like You" is the movie many women have been waiting for.

Part romantic comedy and part scathing social commentary, this story of love and heartbreak is narrated by the cynical Jane Goodale (Ashley Judd).

After being not only displaced from her apartment but also dumped by "soul mate" Ray Brown (Greg Kinnear), she turns to the animal kingdom for answers.

Everything finally makes sense to her when she comes across an article about the mating behavior of cows. It seems that a bull will mate with a female just once. If presented with her again, even if she's scented differently, the bull won't bite. It's on to greener pastures or nothing.

This explains to her why no man remains faithful. Instead of looking for a lifelong partner, a man wants only to spread his seed and multiply. Ninety-five percent of all animals are not monogamous, she says.

Her theories are put to the test, however, when Goodale moves in with and befriends Eddie (Hugh Jackman), a Casanova-extraordinaire. On the surface, his sexual gallivanting supports her findings, but when she gets to really know him, cracks begin to appear.

Can the key to human male behavior be found in nature, or are these creatures just a little too complex? And how much blame should a woman take for her own disastrous love life?

Adapted by Elizabeth Chandler from Laura Zigman's novel, "Animal Husbandry," this story contains more than a sliver of truth. Any woman who has been on the receiving end of the "old heave ho" will feel partially vindicated by what this sharp-tongued wit has to say.

But, as with any hypothesis, there's bound to be an exception. In the film's finale, Goodale finds it.

And, like so many other romantic comedies, "Someone Like You" falls prey to the cliche that "everyone, even a cynic, eventually finds his or her soul mate." So, when the film comes to its starry-eyed conclusion, some will feel betrayed - especially since this "old cow" idea appears so obvious.

Giving this screenplay competent direction is actor Tony Goldwyn, heir to Samuel Goldwyn, and a hardworking cast.

Judd gives a fine performance as Goodale. Even though the actress appears perky and sweet on the surface, with this role, she shows she can produce venom-dripping fangs.

But it's not all barbs and jabs. She also gets to explore her character's deep sadness and conflicting emotions, thus giving us more than just a vindictive damsel in distress.

While Judd may get noticed more for her looks than her brains, with this role, she proves she has a sharp, incisive mind.

Marisa Tomei absolutely sparkles as Goodale's best friend, Liz. She's funny, blunt and spirited. Although Tomei does well with the smaller roles she seems to be gravitating toward these days - she played an aspiring actress and Starbucks waitress in "What Women Want" - she leaves you wanting more.

Kinnear again plays the likable creep who oozes charm. In "Someone Like You," though, he takes this character type to a new level.

With his handsome features and sensitive demeanor, he's the sort of man women really do trust with their hearts. And that's why it's so despicable when he crushes Goodale the first time, only to swoop in for another go when she's over him. He really makes you want to see that inevitable comeuppance.

Last summer, Jackman charmed audiences as the sensitive but tortured Wolverine in "The X-Men." Well, he's back, ladies, to break more hearts as the testosterone-enhanced Eddie, who when he's not bedding women is thinking about doing it.

Jackman has an indefinable essence that causes hearts to flutter, which makes him the perfect foil for Goodale's hypothesis, and the two share some electric chemistry.

Although largely entertaining, "Someone Like You" suffers from a schizoid perspective. It comes on strong with some genuine male-bashing, then pulls back and gets all soft and squishy.

Men and women fall in love, and everything is once again right with the world.

What's the matter - can't male Hollywood take some payback? After all, women have been subjected to a constant barrage of misogynist garbage, so generously labeled as entertainment, for decades.

For the eternally hopeful, "Someone Like You" will fulfill your needs. It lets you blow off some steam, then allows you to crawl back into your protective shell of delusion.

This is a romantic comedy with a nip and nibble. Only superficial wounds will be inflicted.

Someone Like You suffers from schizoid perspective was originally published in Daily Nonpareil on 12 April, 2001. © Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil LLC