Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Viewer Rating:Lorraine has rated Ghosts of Girlfriends Past rating: 2 Star

Loosely based on the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is a mildly entertaining chick flick about womanizing photographer Connor (Matthew McConaughey) who is visited by three ghosts trying to teach him the error of his ways on the eve of his brother's wedding. McConaughey has done so many romcoms by now that he must be able to play the romantic lead in his sleep but as always that twinkle in his eye makes him worth watching. Jennifer Garner (another serial romcom star) plays Jenny, the only girl to ever capture Connor's heart, with some conviction but she is given little to do here. Her turn in the similarly plotted 13 Going on 30 is much more enjoyable. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is never going to be a classic but it has its moments, mostly provided by the strong supporting cast, notably Michael Douglas in the role of Connor's lecherous uncle (a part that he clearly relishes playing) and Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls) as the hysterical bride-to-be. The story of A Christmas Carol is so well known and beloved that it seems a little cynical to blend it with a predictable romantic plot and expect it to work, but oddly it does. Sure it's cheesy, but sometimes it's comforting to watch the familiar, just like the classics at Christmas.

Review published on the 15 May 2009 22:58