Once again Matthew McConaughey proves that he is only good in one kind of movie: The chick-flick. Though I’m disappointed by this once sexiest-man-alive, the demise of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past doesn’t fall solely upon his broad, hulking shoulders.
The entire plot was laughable and in dire need of wit. It was a complete, unapologetic ripoff of A Christmas Carol. Dickens should sue.
Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey), hot-shot photographer and jack of all women is headed for his hometown to be best man at his brother Paul’s (Breckin Meyer) wedding.
A notorious player, the men all want to be him and the bridesmaids want to sleep with him, now where’s the justice in that? And among all the lovely ladies who flock to him, is his one true love.
Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner) was his childhood sweetheart (who gave him his first camera — which clues you in on how the movie will end) with whom he fell apart in their youth. They meet again at Paul’s wedding and old feelings are rekindled.
After a lousy, and completely rude speech during the rehearsal dinner, Connor heads to the toilet where his deceased Uncle Wayne, who brought him up and taught him everything he knew about women, appears out of thin air to warn Connor that three ghosts will be visiting him.
If there is one saving grace to this film, it’s the cheeky, brash Uncle Wayne (played by Michael Douglas), a hilarious addition to the cast.
The three ghosts show Connor his past: Allison Vandermeersh (played by Emma Stone) the girl he lost his virginity to, shows him how he was crushed by Jenny ditching him on prom night.
His personal assistant Melanie (played by Noureen DeWulf) wasn’t a ghost, but showed him what happens every time he broke up with the girls.
Then his ghost of girlfriends future, showed him what happens if he continues on his philandering ways.
Just as A Christmas Carol goes, Connor Mead has an epiphany. He has to start accepting real love, and to confess to his one true love.
The movie lacks energy and originality, and feels like a replay of Matthew McConaughey’s recent flops, the aptly titled Failure to Launch and Fool’s Gold.
With such a weak lead actor, this movie would have been completely unwatchable if not for the supporting actors: Douglas’ Hugh Hefner-like Uncle Wayne, Emma Stone as Connor’s ’80s girlfriend and Lacey Chabert (you’ll remember her as Gretchen from Mean Girls) as Bridezilla.
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