Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

The AMC Young and Dundas is my least favorite cinema in town. It looked like rain and I felt the need for a walk. I headed north to the theatre and then up for 4 flights on an escalator to reach the auditorium. When you see me please thank me for saving you from wasted time and money. I do have to admit that Mathew McConaughey is adorable and Jennifer Garner is a beauty.

McConaughey plays the part of Connor. He comes home for his younger brother’s wedding. Connor is one lousy brute. He has only one thing on his mind. He has seduced all the bridesmaids in the past years. He even makes a play for the mother of the bride. He is afraid of any commitment and leaves all the girls after a short fling. His oldest friend Jenny is one of the bridesmaids.

We learn that Connor and Jenny (Garner) were childhood friends. They were always attracted to one another. Throughout the years they had met, tried a liaison and separated because of his lack of commitment. He says that marriage is an archaic, oppressive institution. He states that love is a myth.

The bride is a silly young thing that got on my nerves. I suppose it was supposed to be humorous that her father was a military man and did nothing but tell about his battles and used army talk all the time. What a bore!

Connor’s actions threaten to ruin the wedding. He flirts with all the girls. He drinks too much scotch and even knocks the wedding cake over the night before the wedding. Jenny seems to be always there to try and put things back in place.

Connor and his brother had been brought up by a wealthy playboy uncle. Uncle Wayne is played by Michael Douglas and you can almost believe that he is playing a part he himself lived a few years ago.

The night before the wedding Connor is visited by a series of ghosts that show him past wrongs. He is revisited with his youth and high school days. It is pointed out to him why he acts the way he does. He wakes up in the morning a new person. He becomes loving and thoughtful and responsible.

Of course all of this is a play on the plot of A Christmas Carol. Frankly I found it offensive to parody a fine piece of literature with this trashy little film.