A Guy Thing

Last updated
A Guy Thing
A Guy Thing movie.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by Chris Koch
Screenplay by
Story byGreg Glienna
Produced by David Ladd
David Nicksay
Starring
Cinematography Robbie Greenberg
Edited byDavid Moritz
Music by Mark Mothersbaugh
Production
companies
Distributed by MGM Distribution Co. (United States/Canada)
20th Century Fox (International) [1]
Release date
  • January 17, 2003 (2003-01-17)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million [2]
Box office$17.4 million [2]

A Guy Thing is a 2003 American comedy film directed by Chris Koch and starring Jason Lee, Julia Stiles and Selma Blair. It was a box office and critical failure.

Contents

Plot

Paul Morse and Karen Cooper are about to get married in Seattle. During his bachelor party, Paul has a chat with one of the dancers at the party, Becky Jackson, and they find that they have an affinity for each other. Paul wakes up the next morning and is terrified to see Becky in the bed next to him.

Assuming they slept together, Paul rushes Becky out of his apartment and hopes never to see her again. He tries to cover up the connection for the remaining six days before the wedding. Unfortunately, Becky unexpectedly shows up around town and turns out to be Karen's cousin. Even worse, Becky's malicious ex-boyfriend, police detective Ray Donovan, had Becky followed and photographed. Becky and Paul meet again to steal those pictures from Ray's apartment.

Further problems arise with family and friends consistently showing up at the wrong times. Genital crabs, dirty underwear in the toilet tank, a horny best friend, and a best man/brother who is in love with the bride all provide for a week of wedding preparation hijinks. Through the snowballing of all his implausible lies and half-truths, Paul receives corroboration and support from an unexpected corner; what seems to be a coordinated network of other men, including friends, complete strangers and, to Paul's astonishment, Karen's own father; all who give the same explanation: "It's a guy thing".

Cast

Production

Principal photography took place from November 2001 to February 2002, in Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The release date was originally slated for August 23, 2002 and then September 20, 2002 hence having a copyright date of 2002 in the credits, before finally being released January 17, 2003 in time for Valentine's Day.

Release

The film debuted at #7 in the U.S. box office, taking USD 6,988,749 in its opening weekend, before falling to #11 the following week. [3]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 25% approval rating based on 104 reviews, with an average score of 4.1/10 and a consensus: "Wasting the talent of its leads, A Guy Thing is a predictable romantic comedy that relies on cheap laughs." [4] On Metacritic the film has a score of 27% based on reviews from 29 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". [5] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "B−" on scale of A to F. [6]

Dennis Harvey of Variety said that the film "does get slightly better as it goes along" but suggested that the multiple rewrites polished any creativity or originality out of the script. [7] [8] [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hamlet</i> (2000 film) 2000 film by Michael Almereyda

Hamlet, also known as Hamlet 2000, is a 2000 American drama film written and directed by Michael Almereyda, set in contemporary New York City, and based on the Shakespeare play of the same name. Ethan Hawke plays Hamlet as a film student, Kyle MacLachlan co-stars as Uncle Claudius, with Diane Venora as Gertrude, Liev Schreiber as Laertes, Julia Stiles as Ophelia, Steve Zahn as Rosencrantz, Bill Murray as Polonius, and Sam Shepard as Hamlet's father.

<i>The Sweetest Thing</i> 2002 film by Roger Kumble

The Sweetest Thing is a 2002 American comedy film directed by Roger Kumble and written by Nancy Pimental, who based the characters on herself and friend Kate Walsh. It stars Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, and Selma Blair. The film was released on April 12, 2002 and received negative reviews from critics. However, according to screenwriter Nancy Pimental, the film later went on to gain a cult following.

<i>Mona Lisa Smile</i> 2003 American film

Mona Lisa Smile is a 2003 American drama film produced by Revolution Studios and Columbia Pictures in association with Red Om Films Productions, directed by Mike Newell, written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal, and starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The title is a reference to the Mona Lisa, the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, and to the song of the same name, originally performed by Nat King Cole, which was covered by Seal for the movie. Julia Roberts received a record $25 million for her performance, the highest ever earned by an actress at that time.

<i>Me, Myself & Irene</i> 2000 comedy film by Peter and Bobby Farrelly

Me, Myself & Irene is a 2000 American slapstick black comedy film directed by the Farrelly brothers, and starring Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger. Chris Cooper, Robert Forster, Richard Jenkins, Daniel Greene, Anthony Anderson, Jerod Mixon and Mongo Brownlee co-star. The film is about a Rhode Island state trooper named Charlie who, after years of continuously suppressing his rage and feelings, suffers a psychotic breakdown that results in a second personality, Hank. This was Carrey's first role in a 20th Century Fox film, along with being the Farrelly brothers' second film with Carrey since Dumb and Dumber (1994). Filming was done from May 11 to July 29, 1999 in various locations in Rhode Island and Vermont.

<i>A Dirty Shame</i> 2004 film by John Waters

A Dirty Shame is a 2004 American satirical sex comedy film written and directed by John Waters and starring Tracey Ullman, Johnny Knoxville, Selma Blair, and Chris Isaak. It follows a community in suburban Baltimore divided between people with highly conservative attitudes towards sexuality, and those who have been turned into sex addicts after experiencing concussions.

<i>The United States of Leland</i> 2003 American film

The United States of Leland is a 2003 American drama film written and directed by Matthew Ryan Hoge that follows a meek teenage boy, the eponymous Leland, who has inexplicably committed a shocking murder. In the wake of the killing, his teacher in prison tries to understand the senseless crime, while the families of the victim and the perpetrator struggle to cope with the aftermath.

<i>Storytelling</i> (film) 2001 film by Todd Solondz

Storytelling is a 2001 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz. It stars Selma Blair, Leo Fitzpatrick, Paul Giamatti, Mark Webber, Robert Wisdom, Xander Berkeley, Aleksa Palladino, Julie Hagerty, Lupe Ontiveros, Franka Potente, and John Goodman. It features original music by Belle & Sebastian, later compiled on the album Storytelling. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.

<i>Down to You</i> 2000 film directed by Kris Isacsson

Down to You is a 2000 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Kris Isacsson, starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Julia Stiles as young lovers who meet in college and go through the ups and downs of a relationship. Selma Blair, Shawn Hatosy, Zak Orth, Ashton Kutcher, Rosario Dawson, Lucie Arnaz, and Henry Winkler play supporting roles. Isacsson's first and only theatrical feature film, Down to You paired Prinze and Stiles a year after their respective starring roles in the successful high school-set romantic comedies She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You. Despite being the second-highest grossing film at the domestic box office its opening weekend, the film received poor response from critics and failed to recoup its $35 million budget.

<i>Fletch Lives</i> 1989 film by Michael Ritchie

Fletch Lives is a 1989 American comedy mystery film starring Chevy Chase and the sequel to Fletch (1985), directed by Michael Ritchie from a screenplay by Leon Capetanos, and based on the character created by Gregory Mcdonald.

<i>Breach</i> (2007 film) 2007 film by Billy Ray

Breach is a 2007 American spy thriller film directed by Billy Ray, who wrote the screenplay with Adam Mazer and William Rotko. The film is based on the true story of Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent convicted of spying for the Soviet Union and later Russia for more than two decades. It stars Chris Cooper as Hanssen and Ryan Phillippe as Eric O'Neill, the FBI Investigator who helped bring about his downfall. The film received generally positive reviews and grossed $41 million on a $23 million budget.

<i>Feast of Love</i> 2007 American film

Feast of Love is a 2007 American drama film directed by Robert Benton, and starring an ensemble cast that includes Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear, Radha Mitchell, Billy Burke, Selma Blair, Alexa Davalos, Toby Hemingway, and Jane Alexander. The film, based on the 2000 novel The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter, was first released on September 28, 2007, in the United States.

<i>Torch Song Trilogy</i> (film) 1988 film by Paul Bogart

Torch Song Trilogy is a 1988 American comedy-drama film adapted by Harvey Fierstein from his play of the same name.

<i>XXX: Return of Xander Cage</i> 2017 American thriller film by D. J. Caruso

XXX: Return of Xander Cage is a 2017 American action thriller film directed by D.J. Caruso and written by F. Scott Frazier. The film stars Vin Diesel in the title role, Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Toni Collette, Ariadna Gutiérrez, Hermione Corfield, and Samuel L. Jackson. It is the third installment in the XXX film series and a sequel to both XXX (2002) and XXX: State of the Union (2005).

<i>Mother and Child</i> (2009 film) 2009 film

Mother and Child is a 2009 drama film directed and written by Rodrigo García. It premiered on September 14, 2009, at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival and at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2010, and was the closing night selection in the 2010 Maryland Film Festival. It had a limited release in the United States beginning May 7, 2010.

<i>Silver Linings Playbook</i> 2012 film by David O. Russell

Silver Linings Playbook is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by David O. Russell. The film is based on Matthew Quick’s 2008 novel The Silver Linings Playbook. It stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, with Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, John Ortiz, Shea Whigham, Anupam Kher and Julia Stiles in supporting roles.

<i>American Sniper</i> 2014 biographical film

American Sniper is a 2014 American biographical war drama film directed and co-produced by Clint Eastwood and written and executive-produced by Jason Hall, loosely based on the memoir American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History (2012) by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. The film follows the life of Kyle, who became the deadliest marksman in U.S. military history with 255 kills from four tours in the Iraq War, 160 of which were officially confirmed by the Department of Defense. While Kyle was celebrated for his military successes, his tours of duty took a heavy toll on his personal and family life. It stars Bradley Cooper as Kyle and Sienna Miller as his wife Taya, with Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban, and Keir O'Donnell in supporting roles.

<i>Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day</i> (film) 2014 American family comedy film

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a 2014 American comedy film directed by Miguel Arteta from a screenplay written by Rob Lieber. The film stars Steve Carell, Ed Oxenbould and Jennifer Garner, and is loosely based on Judith Viorst’s 1972 children's book of the same name. Co-produced by Shawn Levy and Lisa Henson for Walt Disney Pictures through their respective production companies, 21 Laps Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company, the film was released in North America on October 10, 2014. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a success at the box office, grossing $100.6 million worldwide against a $28 million budget. It is one of the only films produced by The Jim Henson Company to not feature any puppets.

<i>Becky</i> (2020 film) Film by Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion

Becky is a 2020 American action thriller film directed by Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion, from a screenplay by Nick Morris, Lane Skye, and Ruckus Skye. The film stars Lulu Wilson, Kevin James, and Joel McHale. McHale and Wilson portray Jeff and Becky, a father and daughter whose vacation home is besieged by a gang of Neo-Nazis led by James's character, Dominick.

<i>Introducing, Selma Blair</i> 2021 documentary film

Introducing, Selma Blair is a 2021 American documentary film directed by Rachel Fleit. It follows Selma Blair adapting to new ways of living after revealing her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

References

  1. "A Guy Thing (2003)". BBFC . Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  2. 1 2 "A Guy Thing". Box Office Mojo .
  3. Sternbergh, Adam (January 28, 2004). "What's with the frigid fiancee films?". Slate Magazine.
  4. A Guy Thing , retrieved 2023-02-09
  5. "A Guy Thing". Metacritic .
  6. "GUY THING, A (2003) B-". CinemaScore . Archived from the original on 2018-12-20.
  7. Harvey, Dennis (16 January 2003). "A Guy Thing". Variety .
  8. Holden, Stephen (17 January 2003). "FILM REVIEW; A Hangover Is the Least of His Problems". The New York Times .
  9. Travers, Peter (17 January 2003). "A Guy Thing". Rolling Stone .