How Do You Know

How Do You Know opens with a little boy attempting to hit a ball off of a tee. He swings, misses, swings, misses and misses again. Behind him a little blonde girl is watching intently. When the little boy walks away in disgust, the little girl steps up, places the ball on the tee and whacks it out of sight. As she marvels at her accomplishment, the little boy comes back and knocks her on her butt. Welcome to the world of women athletes.
 
Reese Witherspoon (Walk The Line) portrays Lisa, a professional softball player. Facing her impending birthday, she is waiting to see if she’ll make the national team again this year. As far as her colleagues are concerned, she is an indispensable member; her positive attitude and motivational skills make her a natural team leader. But at 30, Lisa is slowing down and the team now has a new coach. Lisa is getting the feeling that this year may be her last.
 
Lisa has devoted her entire life to softball, she has gone to the Olympics twice and her personal life has paid the price. Not having a team to play for is unthinkable for her. On one particularly low day, Lisa agrees to go out with a professional baseball player named Matty, Owen Wilson (Shanghai Noon). He pitches for a major league team and on the surface they are the perfect couple. They have everything in common, they both have golden hair, big smiles and trim athletic bodies. But on the inside they are completely different. Lisa is a smart, polite, independent woman and Matty is a little egocentric. As much as he tries to be sensitive and giving, it’s the little selfish things about him that she notices. How do you know when you are being too picky?
 
In an attempt to get Lisa out and dating, prior to her meeting Matty, one of Lisa’s teammates gives her phone number to her brother’s friend George, Paul Rudd (I Love You, Man). His first call was unexpected and he strikes out with Lisa. His second call doesn’t go well either, but when they accidentally meet at his father’s apartment building they agree to have dinner. Lisa just had a fight with Matty and she has found out that she has been cut from the team. George is having a bad day too. He just discovered that the U.S. government is indicting him for securities fraud. They eat their meal in silence, but an appreciation between them forms. Underneath they are the same kind of people, honest, upright, positive and kind. How do you know when you’ve met your soul mate?
 
Being a romantic comedy the rest of the film is about working things out. James L. Brooks regular Jack Nicholson (Terms of Endearments) plays George’s dad and Kathryn Hahn (Crossing Jordan) plays his loyal assistant. The writing is heartfelt, but not too saccharine, and what I loved the most about this film was the honest grounded performances. I was so touched by these characters that I hated to say goodbye. Reese is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses and I’ve always loved Paul Rudd. Add in Owen Wilson, also a favorite of mine, and you have an irresistible mix. I found Kathryn Hahn lovely in this role and Jack as always, is Jack. For me it was a wonderful night at the cinema and I left feeling warm with a big smile on my face. How do you know when you’ve seen a good film? It’s the way it makes you feel and with this director and cast, it’s a no-brainer.

Rating: First Run I know I love this movie