Someone Like You

Someone Like You is rated PG-13: for sexual content including dialogue, and for some language.

Perplexed over the intricacies of the male human species? Wondering if there is a man on earth who is willing to commit to a relationship with just one woman?

After being ditched by Ray Brown (Greg Kinnear), the suave executive producer of the daytime talk show where she works as a talent booker, Jane Goodale (Ashley Judd) is convinced that men can't find satisfaction with just one woman. She bases her conclusions on both personal experience and a New York Times article that attests bulls always seek a "new cow" to replace the "old cow" instead of mating twice.

With her breakup also leaving her homeless (the couple were planning to settle into a Greenwich Village flat), Jane feels literally put out to pasture. As a last resort she accepts the offer from her womanizing co-worker Eddie (Hugh Jackman), to take up residence in his industrial NYC loft in the meatpacking district. While observing Eddie and the endless parade of women he brings home for the night, Jane begins writing about the behavioral similarities of men and bulls. Spawning the interest of a magazine editing friend, Jane unwittingly becomes the author of a nationally recognized column, published under the assumed name of a Ph.D.

Two sexual scenes, many other moments of sexual banter, barely dressed women and men, frank language, terminology, and sexual discussions along with a strong emphasis on sex without commitment makes this movie an unlikely candidate for family viewing. Unlike the many "teen" comedies of a similar vein, all the characters in this film are adults, probably making it less appealing for adolescent audiences.

Buried within this otherwise well acted and carefully crafted film, is a beautiful scene where Jane has opportunity to observe her sister and brother-in-law's close marriage during a moment of crisis, leaving her questioning her armchair psychiatric study that brands all males as animals. This revelation, along with her bold decision to confess her fabrication to the public are positive teaching moments, but may be too little too late for someone like you.

Studio: 2001 20th Century Fox.

Overall: C-
Besides one beautiful moment between a married couple who are secondary characters, Someone Like You spends most of its screen time suggesting that “casual sex” can be very “liberating.”

Violence: A
None.

Sexual Content: D+
Quick scene of bovines mating. Married couple discuss fertility problem, she graphically mentions how he needs to provide sperm for testing and offers to look at “dirty magazines with him.” Woman in tub, no nudity. Unmarried couple kisses. Woman holds a diaphragm. Unmarried couple aggressively have sex, no nudity. Unmarried couple in bed - scene carefully filmed to cover nudity. Man has many boxes of condoms in bathroom. Barmaids dressed in bikini tops. Man tells woman not to “underestimate casual sex… it’s very liberating.” Naked man lying on stomach, rear is exposed. Cover of Playboy magazine, no nudity. Man puts hand on clothed woman’s breast.

Language: D+
At least: 3 slang terms describing sex, 1 sexual expletive, 13 moderate profanities, 11 mild profanities, 10 terms of Deity used as profanities or expletives.

Alcohol / Drug Use: C
Two major characters smoke, and a third major character decides to try smoking during a stressful moment, resulting in coughing, but still continues to try to enjoy the experience.

Jane lives in a world of single people with executive positions, mainly in the entertainment industry. How could this environment affect her attitudes toward men and relationships in general? In reality, many movie writers and producers are employed in similar environments. Do you think that can affect the ways in which they depict “real life” in their works?

Eddie’s apartment is located in New York City’s meatpacking district. How does this location, and the pictures of men working with meat, act as a metaphor for Eddie and his lifestyle?

If you’ve seen the film, do you think Jane’s decision at the end of the movie will be a good one? Can a man change his “spots,” as mentioned in the script?