How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
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A magazine writer and an advertising executive enter a relationship, both harboring secret motives for the romance.
The story
Andie Anderson is a columnist for the women's magazine Composure in New York. As the writer of a series of "How to" articles, she is dissatisfied with her work and wishes to write about more serious issues. When her friend Michelle experiences yet another breakup, Andie is inspired to write an article on "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days". She will begin dating a man and attempt to drive him away "only using the classic mistakes women make". Meanwhile, advertising executive Benjamin Barry is looking to branch out from his usual remit of beer and sports campaigns by leading a prestigious ad campaign for a diamond company. To prove he is capable of pitching to women, Ben wagers that he can make any woman fall in love with him.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Andie Anderson, a columnist for Composure magazine, decides to write a 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' article by dating a man and using 'classic mistakes.' Simultaneously, advertising executive Benjamin Barry enters a bet with his boss: if he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days, he will lead a diamond campaign. They begin a relationship without disclosing their motives. Andie performs various antics to drive Ben away, such as naming his pet 'Princess Sophia' and stocking his home with feminine items. After a failed breakup, they enter a period of 'couple's therapy' and visit Ben's family, where they begin to form a genuine bond. On the tenth day, at a company ball, both learn of the other's secret motives. After a public argument, they break up. However, after Andie publishes an article about falling for him, Ben finds her and they reconcile, revealing their true feelings and kissing.
- First release year
- 2003
- Runtime (minutes)
- 116
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Donald Petrie
- Genres
- romantic comedy
- Themes
- Deception; Hidden Motives
- Tone and mood
- Romantic; Comedy
- Premise and plot tags
- Romance; Comedy; Journalism
- Source material / true-story basis
- picture book of the same name by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Hudson and McConaughey's acting and chemistry, but criticized the script and predictable plot.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 42% · scale: approval rating · review count: 150; Metacritic · score: 45 · scale: 100 · review count: 31
- Production trivia
- The yellow gown Kate Hudson wore in the movie was created by Carolina Herrera.; The necklace she wears is called, in the film, the "Isadora Diamond".; The 80-carat yellow diamond in the necklace was designed by Harry Winston and is worth $6 million.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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