Movie review: ‘My Last Five Girlfriends’ and a mysterious allure
“My Last Five Girlfriends” is a stab at an anti- romantic comedy, but with too dull a blade.
The film opens with everyman Duncan (Brendan Patricks) writing a suicide note to the titular quintet. We then witness, in flashback, each relationship failing. But there’s hope! The end.
Loosely based on the novel “On Love” by Alain de Botton, the screenplay is simply flat. It suffers from a paucity of humor or keen observations. Auteur Julian Kemp surely senses this and directs the film within an inch of its life: There’s time-lapse and animation and labored visual metaphors and what people are really thinking. It feels like an attempt at “Annie Hall” or “(500) Days of Summer,” but without the wit.
Duncan falls into the tedious trap of being so studiously an everyman as to lack identifying qualities. He’s bland to the point of nonexistence. If anything, his negative aspects dominate: He’s uptight, self-pitying and unobservant. He essentially breaks up with one woman over shoes. He’s cruel to another who adores him and shares his sense of humor. What any five women — much less these five attractive, quirky, successful women — could see in him is mysterious.
The best that can be said is that Michael Sheen has an enjoyable cameo and Naomie Harris ( “28 Days Later,” “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll”) has the look of a rising star. Harris has the only substantial role among the girlfriends and in displaying multiple facets, stands out in so flat a film.
“My Last Five Girlfriends.” MPAA rating: Unrated. Running time: 1 hour, 27 minutes. At Laemmle’s Sunset 5, West Hollywood.
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