Movie review: Something Borrowed

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Published on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 07:52

Written by Stephanie Venter

Something Borrowed is a strange film. Just from the initial trailer it was clear that this would not be a run-of-the-mill rom-com and, quite frankly, this was the reason I watched it. How disappointing.

The film focuses on Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin), who is best friends with Darcy (Kate Hudson), but in love with Darcy’s fiancé, Dex (Colin Egglesfield). Rachel and Dex have been friends since law school, and after years of secretly lusting after him, Rachel finally sleeps with Dex – after his and Darcy’s engagement party.

The premise of the film was a little different; watching it, you could not tell if Dex and Darcy would end up together, as you can in most rom-coms. The cardinal rule of friendship – that you cannot date your friend’s ex (let alone their current!) – became muddled, and this seemed a little heavy for what I had thought was a light-ish watch.

That the film breaks away from the traditional rom-com mould is not the reason I have given it such a low score. Rather it’s that I think there are many elements of the plot that simply do not make sense, from a realistic and narrative point of view.

For a start, Kate Hudson’s character was, in all honesty, a bitch. I fail to understand why someone as sweet as Rachel would have Darcy as a best friend. Yes, she might bring out the fun in Rachel, but what woman would hang around the friend who’s engaged to the man she’s in love with? Any sane woman would’ve at least tried to move on...

I’m not sure if it was a lack of chemistry between the actors, but Darcy and Dex’s relationship simply did not feel believable. Why would he have dated and proposed to Darcy if he was always in love with Rachel? Had it been an arranged marriage, it may have made a little more sense.

When Rachel’s best friend confessed his feelings to her, it seemed the film would have a happily-ever-after that did not involve the sweet Rachel stealing her best friend’s fiancé. This, however, was five wasted minutes that did nothing more than confuse the viewer. It did absolutely nothing to further the plot.

There was a very “My Best Friend’s Wedding” feel to this film. Unfortunately, I would take its predecessor any day.