This is not your ordinary chick flick. It actually has plot, depth, impressively clever direction, a non-standard ending (avoiding the usual cliches) and a decent "author's message" to boot, which elevates it by miles above the fluffy norm.

If you don't know the story, the film centers on the character Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts), a 27 year-old New York restaurant critic who finds out that her long-time male best friend Michael O'Neal (Mulroney) is getting married. Long ago they made a pact that if they were both still single by age 28, then they would marry each other.

When Michael suddenly rings Julianne to invite her to his wedding to Kimberly Wallace (Cameron Diaz) she realises that she wants to marry him instead. Thus she sets out to do everything she can to get them to break up. What makes it tricky is that Kimberley is so trusting and sweet... And does Michael still have the same feelings for Julianne?

What could have been a straightforward comedy of… more »

This is not your ordinary chick flick. It actually has plot, depth, impressively clever direction, a non-standard ending (avoiding the usual cliches) and a decent "author's message" to boot, which elevates it by miles above the fluffy norm.

If you don't know the story, the film centers on the character Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts), a 27 year-old New York restaurant critic who finds out that her long-time male best friend Michael O'Neal (Mulroney) is getting married. Long ago they made a pact that if they were both still single by age 28, then they would marry each other.

When Michael suddenly rings Julianne to invite her to his wedding to Kimberly Wallace (Cameron Diaz) she realises that she wants to marry him instead. Thus she sets out to do everything she can to get them to break up. What makes it tricky is that Kimberley is so trusting and sweet... And does Michael still have the same feelings for Julianne?

What could have been a straightforward comedy of errors is instead turned into a clever, witty and thoughtful exploration of the nature of friendship, love and being in love. It also has some surreally funny magical moments in it, and to appreciate the ingenious way the film was shot and directed, you really have to watch it several times. Which I have.

And yes, I'm a man. That ought to tell you how good it is.