A Guy Thing (2003) User Reviews

Rather mediocre romantic story.

[insomniac_rod · 5/10 · 16 March 2009]

Typical chick flick that should be enjoyed only by teens. There is not much to comment about this effort that could easily pass as a b-movie effort.

The plot tries to be different from some other efforts of it's time but to be honest I didn't think it was a genre definer or a movie that should be kept in order to show it to anyone else!.

The acting by Julia Stiles is wooden but it helps that she's pretty. Selma Blair is sexy as always but her character didn't help that much. Jason Lee always works for these kind of movies but the plot didn't help him either.

So there you go, this is a mildly-entertaining, not clever or witty, but "ok-time killer" for those who enjoy regular almost mediocre romantic comedies.

Watch it only if it airs on cable. I did that! I didn't spend a single dollar on it and I'm proud about it.

Funny and simple, decent entertainment.

[mr_lefebvre · 6/10 · 18 January 2003]

A Guy Thing was very funny, not intellectual humor, but just simple, fun humor. Jason Lee is hilarious as always and needs to keep searching for that role that is gonna make him a huge name. Julia Stiles is the definition of cute, anything that stars her is bound to do well. I was most impressed with Selma Blair, she has had many roles over the last few years, and she is a very talented actress and needs to go after some bigger lead roles; she has great potential. The story for A Guy Thing is very predictable (if you saw the trailer, you know the movie already,) but go see it for laughs, it really is a good time:)

If only you had a chance with a girl's cousin

[freakfire-1 · 6/10 · 1 October 2008]

Maybe this is every man's dream? To have a one night drunken fling with your fiancé's cousin? Or so you think. Turns out, it becomes a headache to keep it concealed for long.

Enter panties left at the scene of the crime and everything just snowballs. From enraged police officers to wearing a wire for the FBI to bust such an officer, the movie takes one problem and turns it into multiple ones for the main character.

Like many 90s films of this genre, however, this one also has a happy ending. Sort of. But this one is unique that it has two love triangles in one. But I guess I am happy everybody else was happy.

Overall, the laughs were fairly good. So if you have a little time to kill, this will do the trick. "C+"

This is a brutally unfunny film

[shawnshawn · 1/10 · 21 January 2003]

I think Jason Lee has huge potential, but this was the WRONG vehicle in which to attempt to break out as a star. The plot is awful, the comedy is awful. I laughed twice, I think for relief, because in retrospect, they were fairly lame jokes. I found myself scared for the future of Fletch, and had to console myself that it was the film that was flawed, not Lee.

Julia Stiles and Selma Blair are hot, but I recommend looking at the still photos on this website to figure that out, instead of this film. Save your time. 1 star.

Disappointing

[ocfam2 · 1/10 · 31 January 2003]

Julia Stiles is a talented young actress, who with guidance from a reputable agent has a lot of potential. Obviously, the person who guided her into this travesty is not someone who cares anything about her career. I sat in the theater surrounded by teenagers who left in droves to find another movie to sneak into wondering who thought this movie would appeal to anyone. It was poorly written, the casting director could only have put 1 or 2 minutes of effort into the characters and the director obviously didn't care.

Painfully Unfunny.

[PurplePanther · 1/10 · 23 May 2005]

What a terrible, TERRIBLE, film! One of the worst movies I have seen in my life. I usually love movies like this, the whole "A guy meets an eccentric woman who he likes, but he happens to already be involved with someone, who not right for him....". I expected something predictable and I didn't mind. The movies are always entertaining mixing the right amount of romance with comedy, but not this one! Every single joke falls flat and the "romance" makes me want to vomit. The title character is one of the most "please kill me" characters that I have ever witnessed on my television, the "eccentric woman" isn't very eccentric, more like quirky and annoying. The "other someone" is the most reasonable, mature person in this film but also happens to be just as annoying. This films flat out sucks, there's no way around it, don't waste your time.

By the numbers

[ctomvelu1 · 4/10 · 7 September 2010]

A much as I like Jason Lee,this is a brain-dead, incredibly derivative date movie that has been done dozens of times before. I really wonder who goes to see these things. Lee plays his usual hapless schmo who wakes up to find a naked blonde (Stiles) in his bed on the morning after his bachelor party. His fiancée (Blair) is on the way over to his apartment at that very moment, f course. I suspect you do not need to have me say anything more about the plot. The moment we see Stiles and Blair, we know where this is going. The lowest of low points in this bogus comedy is when Lee tries to explain away Stiles' panties, which Blair finds in his toilet tank. As he haltingly tells her that he bought them for her, she buys his explanation, and at that point, I wanted to crawl under my couch and die. The wedding finale is similarly cringe-inducing. Blair, a decent-enough actress, is such a pretty young thing to be wasted in such dreck. But then again, it's a paycheck. This is assembly-line movie-making that Hollywood should have given up making long ago. It's not even up to modern TV sitcom standards. I suspect the script was throw together by a roomful of monkeys taking turns typing on an old typewriter.

enjoyable movie with refreshing humour

[zeeshaan2 · 8/10 · 7 February 2006]

I happened to watch this movie by chance some days ago while flipping channels. My expectations were not very high but it was an interesting movie.In 'A Guy Thing', Jason Lee plays Paul, a straight-laced, Seattle-based fellow who is about to marry his fiancée Karen (Selma Blair) and settle down to an unchallenging life of middle-class domesticity. We first meet Paul at his bachelor party, where he professes no desire to engage in any of the normal bachelor party type activities his (surprisingly few) buddies encourage, in case he's a bit naughty and gets into hot bother with his soon to be trouble and strife. Of course, the next thing Paul knows, it's the morning after the night before, he's in bed with a naked hula dancer, and his mother-in-law phones to inform him that Karen is on her way over. Oh, and the hula dancer is Karen's cousin Becky (Julia Stiles).

From this small acorn of potential trouble grows a mighty oak of frenetic misfortune, as Paul scrabbles from misadventure to misadventure, trying to cover up what he's done whilst keeping up the appearance of being a dutiful, family-oriented good guy, who's super-excited about his forthcoming nuptials. His efforts to ensure Karen remains none the wiser about any potential wrong-doing on his part ironically forces Paul closer and closer to the fun-loving Becky, forcing him to question whether he really wants the life that seems to have been mapped out for him. The movie contains the right mix of comedy and romance. Definitely worth a watch.

A Stupid Thing

[Darkest_Rose · 6/10 · 4 June 2003]

On the night of his bachelor party, Paul(Jason Lee)wakes up the next morning beside a strange but beautiful tiki dancer Becky(Julia Stiles) who also happens to be his fiance's Karen(Selma Blair)cousin. That little incident makes Paul realize that maybe him and Karen aren't as perfect for each other as he thought. I tried to like this movie because I'm a big fan of Julia Stiles but it just didn't click in. Some of the jokes were funny but most of them were stupid and annoying, also there wasn't really a point to this story. I would give A Guy Thing 6/10.

Unfunny Mess...

[Thonolan3 · 1/10 · 27 January 2003]

This "movie" was dreadful, with no redeeming value whatsoever. Considering that I'm a big Jason Lee fan, I fully expected to enjoy it, but I couldn't. I gave up after watching an hour of this thing; it was juvenile and silly, with absolutely no humor. ...simply horrible....this deserves one star out of ten.

Silly and weakly plotted but reasonably funny and made more enjoyable by Lee's performance

[bob the moo · 10 June 2003]

Paul Coleman is a week away from marrying Karen when he wakes up next to a dancer he met at his stag do. He quickly ushers her out of the flat and hopes never to see her again. Sadly it is a matter of hours before he is introduced to her again as Karen's cousin Becky. Paul tries to make it to his wedding day without Karen finding out – an aim that is made more difficult by Becky's crazy ex-boyfriend, overzealous police and the complex web of lies Paul spins to cover himself.

On paper this film sounds awful and indeed almost every second of it is teetering on the edge of being an awful romantic comedy that goes just where you expect it to. The plot is simply daft – one contrived set piece after another that is increasingly stretched as the film goes on. It ends in just the way you know it will (despite how much I hoped it wouldn't or failed to see how it could) and it will infuriate many in regards just how silly it is.

However it is funny enough to cover the cracks. Much of the humour is instantly recognisable and made up of well known routines (Paul climbing out of the bathroom window) or physical comedy (some pratfalls along the way). Happily there is plenty of slightly off the wall humour that, although not new, is quite good. An example would be the `fantasy sequences' but my favourite bit is Paul sweet memories of a male dance teacher. The whole thing is very silly and you should prepare yourself for that, but it does just about have enough silly laughs to keep it going.

For me the number one reason I enjoyed this film was the performance of Jason Lee. At no point does he suggest that this is a serious film, in fact many times a silly scene was saved by the `what the f is going on' look on his face – a hint to us that he is in the film and he can't believe what's happening, so the audience should go with him. For the rest of the time he lends himself really easily to the type of humour and is able to raise the material a bit. He is a good lead here and keeps bits of his `Brody' from Mallrats to good effect. Stiles is awful in my opinion. She doesn't really act and seems to be trying too hard to do `kooky' – it doesn't work. She has so little screentime that I found it very hard to accept that Paul would get anything from her. Blair has a thankless role and she doesn't quite carry it off – like Stiles I felt that she was trying too hard and almost came across as a caricature. Maybe they were both led by Lee's knowing performance and responded in a bad way. Larry Miller is quite funny (but predictable) as the minister next door and Brolin is a surprising find as the father in law.

Overall this is a very silly film, based on one daft scene after another that leads to a predictable ending that simply doesn't make sense even using the logic of this type of film. However it is funny and a great performance by Jason Lee makes it more enjoyable than it probably should be.

Watch It On The Boring Weekend

[Mr_Sensitive · 5/10 · 6 February 2005]

I somewhat enjoy this film. Though the story is very unoriginal and what you called very predictable movie. Maybe because of its lightness and charming cast that actually saves this movie.

Anyway, there's nothing that you didn't know about the movie or how it is going to end since it is a typical romantic movie but overall this movie can actually make you watch it to the end with its cast of charming Julia Stiles and Selma Blair.

Overall this is just another feel good movie that actually make you feel good, as least for the first viewing and that will disappear from your head the coming week.

Rating: 5/10 (Grade: C-)

This film is funny

[iwatcheverything · 6/10 · 22 September 2003]

I don't care what anyone else thinks I liked this film. It was both entertaining and funny. I admit it is unbelievable but why else to you go to the movies for then to be entertained. Your not always looking for reality.

Jason Lee is great once again in his role. Lee always does a great job with comedy and will probably keep making more movies like this one. Although I am not a big fan of Julia Stiles I did like her in this movie. It is a great break from her more dramatic roles.

All in all if you are looking for a pretty good time, this is a good film. Rent it and relax and get ready for some laughs.

Super-Bad Writers, Director, and Producers

[mickdansforth · 4/10 · 9 June 2006]

This movie has an Amazing Cast! Jason Lee, Selma Blair, and Julia Stiles, as well as all of the supporting cast, are all very talented and interesting.

The drivel they are given to work with is just sad. It is beyond bad. Predictable. Sappy. I groaned far more than I laughed.

Jason Lee proved he could do Romantic Comedies when he did Kissing a Fool. That was a much better movie.

I hope that the writers, producers, and director have plenty of time to hone their craft before they unleash another dud on an unsuspecting public.

Awful

[mikecolucci · 2/10 · 1 June 2003]

The only redemption was the small part by Larry Miller. It seemed that the movie was trying too hard to be "Something About Mary," but I didn't even like that movie and it still fell short of those standards. The actor who plays Paul was great, but Selma Blair is stuck in the stupidity of her Cruel Intentions character. James Brolin was great, but Paul's father seemed like he was trying too hard to be the Randy Quaid character from the National Lampoon's Vacation movies.

A Very Funny Comedy

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 20 May 2005]

On the night of his bachelor party, Paul Coleman (Jason Lee) meets the gorgeous dancer Becky (Julia Stiles) in the bar, they drink a lot together and in the next morning, he wakes up with her on the bed. His future mother-in-law calls him and informs that his fiancée Karen (Selma Blair) might be arriving in his apartment, and he desperately asks Becky to leave his place in a hurry. Sooner, he finds that her has crabs, and later, in the preparation of his wedding dinner party, he realizes that Becky is the cousin of Karen. This is the beginning of a very funny comedy, with hilarious situations. The first attraction of this movie certainly is the central trio of actresses and actor. Julia Stiles and Selma Blair, who are excellent actresses and extremely gorgeous, and Jason Lee, who is amazingly funny, have good performances. I laughed a lot along the story, but there are some scenes that are really hilarious. For example, when Paul finds Becky in his bed; when he finds her paints; his imagination in many situations; in the drugstore, trying to buy and get explanations about the crab medicine; most of the scenes of his neighbor, the minister; when Karen calls the department store; or when the police finds a suspect of assaulting Paul. I could number many other scenes, but better off the reader rent or buy this movie and have lots of fun. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil):"Louco Por Elas" ("Crazy For Them")

This was bad...

[chubbylove · 2/10 · 2 April 2007]

This was one of the most boring movies I've ever seen… I don't really know why… Just your run-of-the-mill stories about guy who is about to get married, and starts to fancy someone else instead. Story has been told a thousand times. Nothing new or innovative about it at all.

I don't really know what was wrong with this film. Most of the time when these kinds of actors/actresses get together to make a film that have already been made a million times before, it's really entertaining. There are usually little clever thing in them that aren't really in any other. For some reason, this one just doesn't hold your attention. You can pick out some funny parts, or clever ideas in it, but for some reason they're just not funny, nor clever in any way… I wish I new how to explain it, but I don't… Just don't waste your time on this one

Hilarious, witty, sexy, romantic, and totally beautiful chick flick that guys will also enjoy

[Catherine_Grace_Zeh · 10/10 · 29 November 2005]

In my opinion, A GUY THING is a hilarious, witty, sexy, romantic, and totally beautiful chick flick that guys will also enjoy. I thought that Jason Lee and Julia Stiles dazzled as a bewildered groom-to-be and his soon-to-be sexy cousin-in-law. If you ask me, they lit up the screen like magic. You can also feel their chemistry between them. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that the performances were top grade, the direction was flawless, the production design was nice, the casting was perfect, and the costumes were perfectly designed. In conclusion, to anyone who's a fan of Jason Lee or Julia Stiles, I recommend this movie. You're in for lots of laughs and thrills, so, go to the video store, rent it or buy it, kick back with a friend, and watch it.

Trivial but entertaining

[moritztiedje · 7/10 · 5 September 2009]

I think this movie got a low rating because it got judged by it's worst moments. There is a diarrhea joke and an embarrassing nut-scratching scene, but apart from that there are actually quite a few moments that made me laugh out loud. Jason Lee is performing some wonderfully subtle comedy in this movie and Julia Stiles manages to be pretty damn funny herself. Apart from that this movie behaves like most romantic comedies, after about 40 minutes into it you know how it is going to end. (Which is better than most of them, where you already know after +/- 5 minutes). Anyway, better movies to watch but definitely not the worst pick...Cheers

I thought it was funny most of the time

[vchimpanzee · 3 April 2007]

There were times when this movie was absolutely hilarious. Even if most of the funniest lines and situations involved toilets, STDs, or pornography. I don't recommend this for kids.

Paul didn't remind me of Earl Hickey that much of the time, but sometimes his manner of speaking was similar. Paul wasn't that great a character, but he was likable enough.

I didn't care for Karen. She wasn't pretty and had an abrasive personality, and then there was that annoying fake smile. Though on the right woman, her haircut could have been cute.

Becky, on the other hand, was absolutely adorable. Good-looking with a sweet personality, even if she could get riled when she had to. In the first scene where she showed she had a brain, she was justified in not being the cute chick. I knew what I wanted to happen.

There were plenty of good acting performances, considering the material. And while the writing wasn't on an Oscar level, that's not necessary here. It just needed to be funny, which it often was.

I had a bad day--in fact, a bad week--prior to the night this movie aired. But the movie made me feel good, at least while I was watching it. That's the most important thing I can say.

it was stupid

[theshorty59 · 1/10 · 10 January 2006]

i hated it!! it was one of the worst chick flicks i have ever seen! it was degrading and awful!! i just absolutely, positively and in all other ways......hated it!! why can't movie makers make some good chick flicks? sorry to rattle on like this....i'm trying to use up some space... anyways....i rated i 1(awful), because thats what it was!! AWFUL!!! it was very stupid......anyways....so how bout them red sox?? lol just kidding....anyways the best chick flick i have probably ever seen with Julia stiles in it is 10 things i hate about you.....heath ledger is so hot.......ooh i also liked save the last dance....and i LOVED the Bourne identity and the Bourne supremacy.....anyways....bye bye

An Average Flick, Yet Entertaining

[[e-mail] · 6/10 · 29 January 2003]

I went to the movie theatre not knowing what to watch and just spontaneously picked the film, "A Guy Thing", which turned out to be quite entertaining. It's not as bad as some critics quote it as being, in fact I got a good laugh out of it.

I give this *** out of *****.

C rate comedy that could have been better

[ryangilmer007 · 4/10 · 13 July 2006]

Jason Lee does his best to bring fun to a silly situation, but the movie just fails to make a connect.

Perhaps because Julia Stiles character seems awkward as the conniving and sexy soon to be cousin-in-law.

Maybe it is because she and Selma Blair's characters should have been cast the opposite way. (Selma Blair seems more conniving than Julia would be).

Either way this movie is yet another Hollywood trivialization of a possibly real world situation (that being getting caught with your pants out at your bachelor party not stooping your cousin), which while having promise fails to deliver.

There are some laughs to be sure and the cast (even if miscast) do their best with sub grade material which doesn't transcend its raunchy topic. So instead of getting a successful raunch fest (ie Animal House or American Pie) we are left with a middle ground of part humor and part stupidity (ala Meatballs 2 or something).

It Could happen to anyone

[schofy · 7/10 · 12 April 2011]

The tale of your average joe having to endure the worst week of his life leading up to his wedding. Sleeping with someone on his stag do, Crabs, Cousins, Moonlighting cooks using dope as a spice, A stalker jealous cop, a brother who fancies the bride to be...Jason lee is superb as he crashes from one disaster to the next. I really enjoyed this movie and I might add as much as some IMDb have slagged off Sophia Myles I thought she was quite good. The complete opposite to the girl jason lee's character is going to marry might be one of those I know whats coming movies but it does enough with the humour and events to differ from the others enough. After a pants day at work with a curry and a bottle of wine it was bang on :)

Fairly Lame

[necredeye · 3/10 · 30 December 2004]

I had hoped this movie was going to be mildly entertaining, like other sorts of its genre. However, it was lame and I didn't find myself laughing very much. Watch it on HBO, maybe, or if you've got a free rental to waste and you need a movie to pass the time. But I don't recommend paying to see it.

The plot is simple and straightforward, and it could have been funny, maybe, if the script was better. Jason Lee can be hilarious, and he gets a few laughs here and there, but the movie falls flat. Just don't go see this one. The directing is lackluster, but for what it is, directing isn't that important. I guess its main drawback is that it is just not very funny. See something else, don't waste your time here.