Rating: PG-13
Starring:
Matthew McConaughey as Connor Mead
Jennifer Garner as Jenny Perotti
Michael Douglas as Uncle Wayne
Breckin Meyer as Paul
Lacey Chabert as Sandra
Robert Forster as Sergeant Volkom
Anne Archer as Vonda Volkom
Emma Stone as Allison Vandermeersh
Daniel Sunjata as Brad
Noureen DeWulf as Melanie
Rachel Boston as Deena the Bridesmaid
Camille Guaty as Donna the Bridesmaid
Amanda Walsh as Denice the Bridesmaid
Emily Foxler as Nadja
Catherine Haena Kim as Charlece
Directed by Mark S. Waters
Special Features:
-Behind the Scenes: How the creators wove past, present and future (in high definition)
-It’s All About Connor: Get the dope on the real Matthew McConaughey from Jennifer Garner, Lacey Chabert, and Anne Archer (in high definition)
-The Legends, the Lessons, and the Ladies: Matthew McConaughey and Michael Douglas compare notes on playing screen ladies’ men (in high definition)
-Additional scenes and exclusive features via BD-Live
-Digital Copy of the movie in standard definition
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.40:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Spanish Language
Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 87 Minutes
The Details:
The following is the official description of the film:
“Connor Mead is the kind of guy who dumps three girlfriends. At the same time. By teleconference. So when he attends his brother’s wedding he has a single goal: score with the only bridesmaid he somehow missed. But the ghost of his departed Uncle Wayne who taught him to love ’em and leave ’em has another goal in mind: restore Connor’s lost faith in true love, a tough assignment requiring the services of many, many Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Michael Douglas and director Mark Waters (‘Mean Girls,’ ‘Just Like Heaven’) uncork a romantic romp as bubbly as wedding-toast champagne. It’s the perfect comedy for anyone who believes in laughs and love. Or needs to.”
“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is rated PG-13 for sexual content throughout, some language and a drug reference.
Mini-Review:
The whole Scrooge story has been done many different times and in many different ways. This time around Scrooge is a man with relationship issues and the ghosts are the numerous women from his past. While that twist would seem to have a lot of potential, it ends up being quite dull here. A trip back to the 1980’s is fun simply because it’s amusing to see the outdated fashions and music, but the scenes in the present and future are so dull that 2/3 of the movie ends up being a disappointment. And since you already know how the story will unfold, they really need to step up everything else to provide surprises and laughs and engage the audience. They don’t.
I like Matthew McConaughey, but he’s not a terribly likable character as Connor Mead. I suppose that’s part of the point, but even his good looks and charm aren’t enough to make Connor a hero to root for. He’s a jerk towards women and his absolute distaste for love and marriage gets more annoying the more he professes it. Jennifer Garner, on the other hand, is likable as Jenny Perotti. However, you have to wonder what she sees in a character like Connor. Then again, as we see more of their background together, we realize she’s in large part responsible for turning him into the dog he is. Michael Douglas has some fun as Connor’s gigolo Uncle Wayne, but he’s barely in the film. Lacey Chabert also has some memorable scenes as Sandra, the bridezilla, but her routine also becomes tiresome as the movie progresses.
Overall, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” isn’t a bad movie, but it’s not a memorable one either. This is something you rent when there’s nothing on TV and you completely forget about it afterwards.
On the Blu-ray you’ll find the usual bonus feature fare. There’s the obligatory ‘making of’ featurette and deleted scenes. There’s also a feature where the supporting cast gush about McConaughey. Rounding things out is a featurette with Douglas and McConaughey talking about playing ladies men on the big screen.
