Gerard Butlercemented his reputation as a formidable action star by battling Spartan foes in300and fending off White House invaders inOlympus Has Fallen, but he also made several segues into the rom-com genre. However, while his action roles have certainly found a dedicated audience, with the likes ofDen of Thievesand its recent sequel scoring reasonably well with audiences and at the box office, one of his old comedy movies,The Ugly Truth, is now an unexpected hit onHulu.
However, the movie really lived up to its name when it was released in 2009 as far as critics were concerned, as their 14% Tomatometer annihilation of the movie delivered an ugly truth thatButler is much better when shooting bad guys and saving presidents. Directed by Robert Luketic and co-starring Katherine Heigl, the film was panned for its contrived premise and risqué back-and-forth banter, but that is only half the story.
Gerard Butler’s Best Movies, According to Rotten Tomatoes
Butler’s latest film Plane is already getting a sequel, and the Scottish actor has starred in numerous other hit films over the years.
Audiences were much more accommodating of the film, which sees Heigl playing a single TV producer who finds herself being thrown together with opinionated celebrity Mike (Butler), leading them into a battle of the sexes. Scoring 60% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, the film was a huge financial hit, delivering a $205 million box office from its $38 million budget. It is hard to argue with that kind of result, and now that the film is finding a new audience on Hulu, it seems that time has not diminished the interest in Butler and Heigl’s hookup.
Is ‘The Ugly Truth’ Worth Watching?
On paper, an opposites-attract setup is often one that yields strong results, but for critics,The Ugly Truthfailed at pretty much every step. But were they right about the movie, or was it just a case of critics looking for and expecting too much? The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes says, “Despite the best efforts of Butler and Heigl,The Ugly Truthsuffers from a weak script that relies on a romantic comedy formula, with little charm or comedic payoff.”
Dipping into the individual reviews, and there are over 174 of them to choose from, it is pretty difficult to find someone with anything good to say about the movie.New York Post’s Lou Lumenick said of the film, “Romantic comedies are an increasingly debased genre, but few recent Hollywood products have been anywhere near as crass and contrived asThe Ugly Truth.” Elizabeth Weitzman of theNew York Daily Newsadds, “Ugly is, indeed, the word for any comedy that manages to insult both its cast and audience with nearly every scene.” Even the “fresh” reviews, such as one from Amy Biancolli of theHouston Chronicle, fail to ignite much enthusiasm. She writes:
“Ugly is, indeed, the word for any comedy that manages to insult both its cast and audience with nearly every scene.”
At a 60% score from audiences, reviews from that side are obviously quite mixed, but many people find something to like within the movie. Mostly thanks to the charisma of Butler, and the chemistry between him and Heigl, the movie just about passes the threshold between “fresh” and “rotten.” It is certainly not a triumph by any means. For example, one review that gives the film three stars notes, “Only the good chemistry of Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl saves this clichéd and very misogynist rom-com.”
In the 16 years that have passed sinceThe Ugly Truthwas released, Butler has really become a go-to guy for brutal action movies, and has found a niche that is paying dividends. Rom-com roles don’t seem to be high on the actor’s agenda right now, as he will soon be reprising his role as Stoic in the live-action adaptation ofHow to Train Your Dragon, and will continue to bringthe action in a thirdDen of Thievesmovie. That is probably something we can mostly be thankful for.
Source:Rotten Tomatoes
The Ugly Truth
The Ugly Truth explores the dynamic between a romantically challenged morning show producer and a brash television host who offers unfiltered relationship advice. As their professional and personal lives intertwine, they confront their preconceived notions about love and attraction. This film delves into themes of modern romance, gender dynamics, and the complexities of human connections through humor and candid dialogue.
