The Ugly Truth
2009 · Directed by Robert Luketic
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
The story
A romantically challenged morning show producer is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.
What it’s like
Bright, glossy studio-comedy look: sunny Los Angeles interiors, pastel-lit morning-show sets, warm golden-hour patios and bedrooms, all shot in clean, polished digital with saturated color and bouncy, centered framing that keeps the eye on two faces trading barbs. The sound is upbeat pop-rock needle drops and chirpy score, with rapid cross-cutting between the TV studio and dinner dates, and plenty of crisp, talky dialogue delivered at full speed. The vibe is brash, sunny and mildly cynical, the kind of comfortable rom-com that plays well on a lazy weekend afternoon, during a cooking session, or as a light comfort rewatch after a long week. Pacing is brisk and the register is loud and cheeky, with sex jokes, crude gags and blunt sexual talk throughout, though it stays non-graphic and there is no real violence or cruelty. Its central arc follows a guarded, image-conscious woman and a smug, cynical man who slowly drop their defenses and start to see each other clearly. It suits viewers who want a giddy, romantic, vulgar-tongued comedy with a bright, glossy surface and a predictable, feel-good payoff.
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