Trust the Man

Trust the Man is a cute but thoroughly underwhelming little romantic comedy revolving primarily around two key couples – the seemingly happily married Tom (David Duchovny) and Rebecca (Julianne Moore), and Tobey (Billy Crudup) and Elaine (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who have been dating for eight years. The film doesn’t break any new ground, but for a while, it’s enjoyable enough. Writer/director Bart Freundlich imbues the movie with an appropriately light-hearted touch, while the various actors deliver charming, engaging performances (something that is particularly true of Duchovny, who proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is ideal leading man material). But Freundlich just doesn’t know when to quit, and the film runs out of steam well before it finally ends (a shorter running time would’ve definitely been more appropriate). And then there’s the film’s conclusion, which is weirdly over-the-top and hopelessly conventional, as the characters all converge on the opening night of a play to save their respective relationships. Still, the movie’s basically entertaining – though it’s clear that Freundlich could use a lesson from Richard Curtis in how to do a romantic comedy right.

**1/2 out of ****