Are you the exception… or the rule?

Scarlett as: Anna Marks
Genre(s): Romance | Comedy | Drama
Written by: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein
Directed by: Ken Kwapis
Other Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Ben Affleck
Release Date: February 6, 2009
Production Budget: $40m
Total Worldwide Gross: $179m
Filming Locations: Baltimore, Maryland

Based on the best-selling book by ‘Sex and the City’ writers, an interlinked group of Baltimore men and women shine a light on the complexities of coupling in this romantic comedy. From flirtatious first dates with no follow-up to commitment-phobes to affairs, this funny, endearing film follows the pals through the modern mating matrix where sexy signals are routinely misread, and may be summed up with one simple phrase: he’s just not that into you.

Production Info

Is adapted from the self-help book of the same name by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, released in 2004.

Scenes cut from the theatrical version of the film include a sub-plot including Anna and her mother, played by Theresa Russell.

Filmmakers had originally considered New York City and Los Angeles as the setting for the movie but eventually chose Baltimore for its smaller, more intimate feel.

Shipped to theaters under the code name Boy Trouble.

Character Quotes

Quoting: Scarlett Johansson

On her character: She’s a yoga instructor, an artist, a singer, kind of a free spirit, walking through life with her feelers out. She has a sort of ‘boyfriendship’ with Conor–she enjoys his company but she’s not interested in a commitment with him. She likes having him around, having him flatter her, so she gives him some mixed signals, which frustrates him a lot.

On Anna and Ben’s relationship: I think—even though there was somebody that was being hurt in the process—they really like each other. They connect, and so you can’t really hate them because it’s not like they’re being vindictive. She’s not looking to steal married men, and he’s not looking to have an affair. They both go into it knowing that there’s a third person in the relationship, but they really feel like maybe this is a critical point in their life.

On Anna and Conor’s relationship: She definitely gives Conor some really mixed signals, which I think is something that people do sometimes when they feel they need attention, or affection, or to feel good about themselves. It’s nice for her to have this guy around who is kind of waiting on her hand and foot. At the same time she enjoys his company, she’s just not interested in having a future with him.

On filming in Baltimore: Baltimore is awesome. I love Baltimore. I was actually walking around like, I could live here. It’s really a great city. I’ve got a lot of friends that come from Baltimore and that live there. And the music scene. It’s really just a happening spot.

On working with Ken Kwapis: I love with working with Ken, he’s so sweet. He’s a real actor’s director which always surprises me because I never really know going into a project whether the director’s going to be just all about the visual and the look of the film, or whether we have a real emotional support. Ken just has the most amazing suggestions, he surprises me all the time. He really has an amazing, gentle way about him.

Critical Response

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: Johansson, working her lips, looks more than ever like an Andy Warhol Marilyn portrait, and the film needs her husky sensuality, even if it fails to give her a second dimension.

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Johansson’s Woody Allen exposure has paid off: In just a few years, she has become a deft comic actress.

Chris Kaltenbach, Baltimore Sun: The tone stays frothy for the most part, and the actors take advantage of the collective good will they’ve established with their audience over the years. It’s especially welcome to see Connelly playing things light and Johansson proving she doesn’t need Woody Allen to be funny.

Tasha Robinson, Chicago Tribune: Some of the players comport themselves better than others—Barrymore is sweetly wistful in her minor role, while Johansson, as a confident go-getter who sets out to steal her crush object rather than moon over him, is sexier than the whole cast put together.