What Love Is (R, 2007)

Tom Riley (Cuba Gooding Jr.) stops off at a bar for "liquid courage" to fuel his Valentine's Day mission -- proposing to his girlfriend, Sara (Victoria Pratt). He needs it: When he gets home, he finds two packed suitcases, an empty closet, and a "Dear Tom" letter from Sara. Later, a phone call reveals that she'll be back to pick up the last of her things. When Tom's friends show up, they're met not with a jubilant, soon-to-be-married pal, but a defeated man awaiting his soon-to-be ex's return. And when a group of women arrive at Tom's house unannounced, complications ensue. Will they all pair up? Will Sara take Tom back? Does he want her back?

This romantic comedy isn't funny, or romantic. It fails to deliver on its premise -- it's supposed to be an exploration of the differences and, more important, the similarities between men and women. Tom and Sara aren't seen together until the end of the movie, so it's hard to care that they're breaking up. The cast lacks chemistry. Certain events are explained, not seen, as nearly everything unfolds at Tom's apartment.

Everyone talks too much and too fast. The dialogue sounds so scripted and unnatural that it feels more like a play. There's also plenty over-the-top performances. Matthew Lillard's Sal -- Tom's cynical friend who's down on love -- is a low-rent Vince Vaughn. Andrew Daly's Wayne, the posse's token gay guy, is a reprehensible caricature. The female characters are mere foils, one-dimensional counterparts to the (relatively) two-dimensional men. Only Gina Gershon as tough-cookie Rachel has substance, though not much. And Gooding, whose gift lies in his boundless charisma and likeability, is unconvincing. His role is too reined-in, his talent tamed.

Studio: Big Sky Motion Pictures
Director: Mars Callahan
Cast: Cuba Gooding Jr., Gina Gershon, Matthew Lillard
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release: March 23, 2007
DVD release: March 31, 2008
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: pervasive language including graphic sexual dialogue, and some erotic dancing.