How Do You Know? [M]

Athleticism, competitive sports, and motivation are all that Lisa has ever known. But her world comes crashing down when she is cut from her sports team. Completely lost and unsure what to do, Lisa starts a fling with Matty, a major league baseball player and self-centred ladies’ man. Whilst their relationship gets off to a shaky start, if a start at all, Lisa discovers a strange friend in George, a businessman who is going through his own issues, both with his father and the law. Somehow, when everything seems to be falling apart, both Lisa and George are there to catch the other should they fall. 

This was a really interesting and genuinely nice movie. Admittedly it was very slow to start; I found it most uninteresting and considered turning it off and watching something else at one stage. It’s one of those films that only shows its light to those that persevere. 

Athleticism, competitive sports, and motivation are all that Lisa has ever known. But her world comes crashing down when she is cut from her sports team. Completely lost and unsure what to do, Lisa stars a fling with Matty, a major league baseball player and self-centred ladies’ man. Whilst their relationship gets off to a shaky start, if a start at all, Lisa discovers a strange friend in George, a businessman who is going through his own issues, both with his father and the law. Somehow, when everything seems to be fall apart, both Lisa and George are there to catch the other should they fall. 

As I mentioned before, this was really slow moving film, one that demands perseverance. For the most part of the film, you’re criticising the fact that the characters are all completely at a loss to what they are meant to be doing. Each character, from Lisa to George’s father is uncertain of how to respond to the situations that arise and it is this feeling and general vibe of strong unease and uncertainty that makes the film both repulsive and compelling. As each character deals with their individual problems, some more extravagantly than others, the central humour of the film comes in to play and it really hammers home the question that is also the title: “how do you know?” 

A bit Sense and Sensibility, a bit Eagle Vs Shark, How Do You Know?  is a really strange, subtle, and yet intriguing film that came good in the end, proving that all good things come to those who wait. 

Starring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson, and Jack Nicholson, How Do You Know? was a slow, but nice film filled with drama, harsh realities, personal struggles, and awkward romance. It’s not the greatest romantic comedy to grace our screens, but it’s not the worst either.