What Do The Critics Say?

"A slightly unusual romantic triangle is at the heart of this definitive chick flick. Hudson and Goodwin have great chemistry together. Krasinski does the best acting job and steals every scene he appears in. The cinematography, scenic New York locations and a romantic soundtrack are added bonuses." Keith Cohen ENTERTAINMENT SPECTRUM "Ah, the rules of feminism. Who instituted these standards, how flexible are they, and when is it legitimately fair to assert "Oh No she didn’t?" National best-selling author, Emily Griffin, has an opinion or two. While the story is primarily centered around Rachel and Darcy, each sub-plot line involving supporting characters (Krasinski, Williams, Howey) was equally interesting and equally well-acted." Justine Ciarrocchi SCREENCRAVE "It's not great by any means and it certainly has its problems, but overall it has a rather sweet charm that kept me from being bored and judging by the reactions I overheard in the crowd of mostly women afterwards, it certainly satisfied its target audience. John Krasinski as Ethan, Rachel's best male friend, steals the movie in terms of humor. He gets the film's funniest lines." Scott Nash THREE MOVIE BUFFS

"This surprisingly perceptive romantic comedy illustrates what can happen if a woman breaks an unwritten relationship rule. That rule, of course, is “never steal your best friend’s boyfriend or prospective groom. But what if true love is involved in this equation? Ah, there’s the dilemma for Rachel, played endearingly by Ginnifer Goodwin." Betty Jo Tucker REEL TALK MOVIE REVIEWS "The film explores the question of love and friendships. What's more important? How far would you go for love despite ruining a best friendship. Where is the line between following your heart and taking the moral high ground? Kate Hudson is totally believable in her role. Hudson totally channels her lovable inner-bitch and although you're supposed to dislike her, you can't help but liking her a little." REEL MOVIE NEWS

The Inside Story "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" So goes the traditional rhyme promising good luck for brides-to-be who carry these things down the aisle. But what if something borrowed is the groom? That’s the question posed by Emily Giffin’s best-selling novel "Something Borrowed", about the complications that arise when long-platonic friends Rachel and Dex realize their true: and truly inconvenient; feelings for one another on the threshold of Dex’s marriage to someone else. Especially as that someone else is Darcy, Rachel’s best friend since childhood. "What I like about it is how volatile and unpredictable things can get," says director Luke Greenfield, who brings Giffin’s story to the screen in this bigscreen adaptation: "Something Borrowed". "It’s a great mix of comedy and romance, a character-driven ensemble about real people in a tricky situation. We wanted to put audiences into Rachel’s shoes so they could feel what she’s feeling, and think about how far they might go, given the same circumstances." More than a love story, or even a love triangle, "Something Borrowed" also tests the once-unbreakable bond between Rachel and Darcy, which raises the stakes for everything that happens next. Kate Hudson, who stars as the charismatic Darcy, explained: "These two girlfriends have grown up together and Rachel has always been the one person Darcy could count on, her rock. She’s the one who does everything right." "Rachel’s arc is a big self-discovery," says producer Molly Mickler Smiths. What Smith and producer Hilary Swank ("Beautiful Ohio") found most compelling was the story’s depiction of relationships, particularly those with history, "and all the turmoil, humor and heartbreak that naturally entails. This is why there are so many avid readers of Emily’s books, because she writes such flawed, well-rounded characters. Everyone has wanted someone they couldn’t have, or felt they were out of someone’s league, or screwed things up beyond belief: boy or girl, we’ve all been there." "It’s rich with romance and the complexities of when and how people fall in love," says two time Oscar® winning actress Swank (Best Lead Actress 2000 & '05). "Intertwined with that is a friendship between two women that really resonates. What do you do when you find your soul mate, and he happens to be engaged to your best friend? When it feels so wrong and so right at the same time?" Producer Broderick Johnson (who worked with Swank on the 2002 Christopher Nolan thriller "Insomnia") notes: "There’s a sense of urgency that takes over when you’re thirty. You start to examine your life and the decisions you’ve made that have gotten you here, and question what could have been. Rachel is having a crisis of conscience about what she’s doing but it’s probably the path she should have followed originally." Even so, there could be a statute of limitations on this kind of course-correction and Rachel must face the possibility that her moment has passed. Or, that by pursuing it now, she could ruin everything. "You don’t know what’s going to happen and that’s an unusual quality for a romantic comedy," says producer Andrew A Kosove ("P.S. I Love You"). "Something Borrowed" is also about taking chances—big ones, not only with the possibility of falling flat on your face but of taking others down with you. John Krasinski ("Away We Go"), who stars as Rachel’s level-headed and wickedly funny friend Ethan, notes: "It’s a time of making big choices in your life and living with those choices." In fact, Emily Giffin, who wrote both the best-selling "Something Borrowed" and its sequel, "Something Blue", found herself at a turning point just prior to her own thirtieth birthday. Giffin opted to leave her job as an attorney in a large law firm to be a novelist. It was a brave move, but it resulted in her first book, "Something Borrowed". "For Rachel, it was about following her heart with Dex. For me, it was about pursuing my dream of becoming a writer. It was the first time in my life I had taken a significant risk and not the safe path. There are strong emotional parallels; the realization that you only have one shot in life." Screenwriter Jennie Snyder Urman, who adapted the novel, says, "I was a huge fan of the book so I wanted to make sure to stay true to it, while making the few changes that would help the translation to film. Of course, all the fundamental relationships remain intact because I know readers are very passionate about that: as am I." "I love this movie," Giffin stated. "It’s true to the spirit of the book and captures the characters in all their shades of gray." As much as Giffin touched readers with real-life dilemmas they could appreciate, Greenfield who directed Elisha Cuthbert in the 2004 rom/com "The Girl Next Door", sought to strike the same chords with moviegoers. "As in the book, events unfold from Rachel’s perspective." At the same time, Greenfield puts the core connection into context in a way Rachel cannot, noting: "You often find that the most high-maintenance people surround themselves with selfless counterparts, and that’s how this friendship has worked since they were ten. It was important for us to offer a glimpse, in the movie, of little Darcy and Rachel, aged ten, because it’s funny to see how they relate to each other just like they did in the fifth grade. Except now, they’re thirty. This crazy, flawed friendship: it just had to come to a head." Casting as always was crucial. "The goal was to develop grounded, realistic portrayals that could close the distance for the audience so they’re not so much watching characters but people they know. There’s always going to be a fair amount of improv with any group. My feeling is, the more reality they can bring to it with their own vernacular and their own dialogue and rapport, the better." But, even with this lively dynamic in play, the focus rarely strays from Rachel and the two most important relationships of her life: her best friend and her heart’s desire. Goodwin who played Connie Baker in the 2003 Mike Newell film, "Mona Lisa Smile", admits she was "very taken by Rachel, the quintessential nice girl who does some awful things. After a lifetime of avoiding confrontation and not allowing herself to have the kind of experiences that result in growth, she has to reconsider the map she lives by and is forced to change. I wanted to explore that." "It’s a rich topic to explore, what it means to be loyal to a friend and loyal to yourself. Often there are no right answers," producer Aaron Lubin admits. Producer Pamela Schein Murphy suggests, "It’s interesting how you come away thinking certain things are okay when you understand the choices. You may find yourself standing behind something you never thought you would support." The bottom line, Greenfield declares, is "Go for it! If you really love someone, don’t wait. Rachel and Dex waited six years for their chance but it doesn’t happen like that for most people. All they have is a 'what if'. What if I had gone for it? What if I had just talked to that girl? Given that choice, I believe you have to go for love. We needed an actress who could persuade audiences to root for her, possibly against their better judgment. Ginnifer is phenomenal. She absolutely but subtly conveyed all the contradictory impulses in Rachel." In many ways, 'life of the party' Darcy is Rachel’s opposite, a potentially polarizing role that required an equally deft touch. Darcy is played by the gorgeous Kate Hudson who stunned audiences in "Nine", with her unforgettable performance of "Cinema Italiano". Greenfield admits, "It’s hard to pull off an alpha female like Darcy, the girl who gets everything she wants and is relentlessly self-absorbed, yet never fails to light up a room. Kate plays her in a way that makes you love to watch her, and lets you in on Darcy’s genuine warmth." "Simply put," 2001 Golden Globe winner Hudson ("Almost Famous") offers, "Darcy is all about Darcy. She’s the kind of person who says things we wish we could say, who doesn’t hold back, who thrives on being the center of attention. Playing Darcy meant committing to a character that is extremely 'out there' and walking that fine line between what’s funny and endearing and what could easily become unlikable, which is always fun. She’s definitely no angel." Smith ("Racing Stripes") notes, "There are undercurrents between Darcy and Rachel that they’ve lived with for so long, they’re not even aware of." Chief among these is a competition that Rachel conceded long ago, and that has unexpectedly resurfaced in the form of Dex." Dex is played by Colin Egglesfield, starring in his first major feature role. "There’s something about him," says Greenfield. "Colin conveys an inner goodness even in his most frustrating moments and makes you believe how Dex could have genuine feelings for two women who are so different from one another." "He’s trying to please his parents, he’s trying to please Darcy, and he’s in love with Rachel," Egglesfield revealed. "It’s not easy." One person unlikely to offer Dex any sympathy for his predicament is Ethan (played by John Krasinski): Rachel and Darcy’s whip-smart childhood friend; who has an opinion about everything. "Ethan watches everything unfolding and knows what Rachel is going through," Krasinski ("Leatherheads") observes. "He tries to be a good confidant, and for him that means making sure she is true to herself and not getting caught up in some fantasy." "Ethan is not just loveable and supportive but someone who has a lot of gall and calls Rachel on what she’s doing," Greenfield says. "John really gives this character an edge. Not only does he have amazing comic timing but he also had a lot of touching moments to deliver and he does so brilliantly." On the other hand, perpetual frat-boy Marcus doesn’t seem to have an iota of subtext to his personality…nor would he be likely to even know what that means. Played by Steve Howey ("Bride Wars"), Marcus is loose and good-natured, an unapologetic player whose casual M.O. with women makes Darcy’s efforts to match him with the shy and serious Rachel seem, at best, questionable. "I like Marcus. I would hang with him in a second. He knows how to party and he has an awesome collection of hats," Howey joked. "Marcus loves life so long as it’s easy and he can have fun with the least responsibility, and what’s wrong with that? Still, there may be more to him. I think a lot of his behavior comes from loneliness. Sometimes the loudest one in the room is the most scared, right? And Marcus is pretty loud." Even Greenfield had to admit: "Steve is a force. Every word out of his mouth is gold, not to mention his presence and the way he looks at you. You’re always tempted to question: is he messing with me?" Ashley Williams, who has appeared in TV series such as "Saving Grace" and "How I Met Your Mother" was cast as Claire. Geoff Pierson and Jill Eikenberry play Dex's parents (Dexter Thaler Sr and Bridget Thaler) and author Emily Giffin appears in a comic cameo scene Madison Square Park bench. "It was a fun group and so easy for us to work off each other," says Hudson. What's It All About?

Rachel is a talented attorney at a top New York law firm, a generous and loyal friend, but, unhappily, still single: as her engaged best friend Darcy is constantly reminding her. But after celebrating her 30th birthday, perpetual good girl Rachel ends up in the arms of Dex: the guy she’s had a crush on since law school; who just happens to be Darcy’s fiancé. As one thing leads to another in the frantic weeks leading up to Darcy’s wedding, Rachel finds herself in an impossible situation, caught between her treasured friendship with Darcy and the love of her life. But there's more. Her constant confidante and sometimes conscience, Ethan. He's busy evading the affection of Darcy’s hopelessly love-struck friend Claire and has a secret crush of his own. Then there's the charming, irrepressible Marcus, whose designs on Rachel don’t necessarily exclude any other woman who might catch his eye.

The Verdict "For the love of me, I can't see why any 'modern' young woman wouldn't want to see "Something Borrowed". This is right up their alley. It's a lively production, features good performances and let's face it: who amongst us has not at some time had a huge crush on someone or let someone special slip through our fingers? A lot of us, I suspect. And, after seeing "Something Borrowed", I'm sure there will be loads of ladies admitting they too have met someone just like 'ladies man' Marcus. Hudson is terrific as Darcy (and yes, we've all met a Darcy or two), Ginnifer Goodwin is a sweetheart, Ashley Williams gives a good account of herself, Steve Howey really is fun as Howey, Colin Egglesfield will at times remind ladies of how Tom Cruise looked when he was a lot younger, but the surprise packet is, as you'll discover, John Krasinski. Guys, don't get left out with this one: You'll get the humour in "Something Borrowed" too. Well worth a look at. 3 1/2 STARS." Who Is Playing Who?

Ginnifer Goodwin Kate Hudson Colin Egglesfield John Krasinski Steve Howey Ashley Williams Geoff Pierson Jill Eikenberry Jonathan Epstein Leia Thompson Sarah Baldwin Mark La Mura Tim Dunavant

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Rachel Darcy Dex Ethan Marcus Claire Dexter Thaler Sr Bridget Thaler Professor Zigman Bridal Consultant June Marcus's Dad Bartender

The Production Team Directed by Luke Greenfield Screenplay by Jennie Snyder Urman Adapted from the novel "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin Produced by Broderick Johnson/Andrew A. Kosove/Aaron Lubin Produced by Pamela Schein Murphy/Molly Mickler Smith/Hilary Swank Director of Photography Charles Minsky Film Editing by John Axelrad Casting by Sari Knight & Mandy Sherman Production Design by Jane Musky Set Decoration by Leslie E Rollins Costume Design by Gary Jones Run Time 103 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2011 - Hoyts Distribution - All Rights Reserved ©1999-2011 - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian & International Copyright, Trademark Laws & Intellectual Property Rights.