Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009)

O Masterpiece

O Excellent

O Good

X OK

O Mediocrity

O Avoid

Review by Jason Pyles / May 10, 2009

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is not as good as you think it’s going to be. It looks like it has real potential —  and why wouldn’t it, since its premise borrows heavily from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”? 

The problem is an all-too-common one: The characters aren’t overly likable — particularly the protagonist, played by Matthew McConaughey. Yes, Ebenezer Scrooge is undeniably crotchety, but I’d argue that he’s still likable, because his despicableness is obviously who he really is and we tend to respect that; whereas, McConaughey’s Scrooge-like character openly flaunts his choice to be obnoxious.

Connor Mead (McConaughey) is an edgy and in-demand photographer whose specialty is making sexy women look even sexier by arraying them in photogenic lingerie. Then he sleeps with them. Yes, we learn quickly that Mead is an unscrupulous dog: For instance, he breaks up with three women simultaneously on a conference call while the fourth watches and waits for him in bed.

Scrooge is pig-headed and Mead is simply a pig. You get the idea. Consequently, the photographer is visited by three ghosts who enlighten him with their escapades to watch episodes from his past, present and future. And naturally, since this is a romantic comedy, Mead isn’t being taught the true meaning of Christmas — or even that women aren’t objects; instead, there was always one special gal in his life, Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner), whom Mead should have settled down with years ago.

While watching the film, I apologetically kept thinking that the concept is a great idea, then I’d remember that it was actually Dickens’ tale, and not the screenwriters’ of “Girlfriends Past.” The movie follows the usual pattern of a romantic comedy, and it’s built around a wedding (which is a secret weapon of the genre), but even the priceless actor Michael Douglas isn’t able to save this sinking ship.

Contrast this flick with two feel-good winners from 2005, “Hitch” and “Fever Pitch.” When I left the theater after those two movies, I was borderline gleeful. When I watched “Girlfriends Past,” I felt a a little dreary inside and not too optimistic about the happily ever after.

All in all, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is OK, but it doesn’t stand out among the blue million others like it in this genre.

P.S. By the way, the hands-down best film adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” is the 1984 TV version that was directed by Clive Donner and stars the great George C. Scott.

Directed by Mark Waters

Matthew McConaughey / Jennifer Garner / Michael Douglas

Romantic Comedy     100 min.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sexual content throughout, some language and a drug reference).