50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (2004) User Reviews

Good Movie if you are in mood of it..

[ona6 · 7/10 · 2 May 2009]

Owen McCabe (Paul Schneider) is an writer residing in LA. Shaken up by a minor earth-quake, he realizes how unhappy he is with his life: he just writes the lives of other people just to make to look good (or better than what they actually are) and he has not met someone special one all this time. So, he decides to "break-up" with his life and move on. Unfortunately for him, just when he accepts a job in New Jersey, he meets Val (Jennifer Westfeldt) at the airport. The conflict between knowing that Val is out there available and that he really needs to go to Jersey forces him to put this relationship on fast track, facilitating his decision: should he stay or should he go?

Of course, when any romantic movie begins with such a premise, it sounds like one of these awfully made chick-flicks like On the Line (no offense): guy meets the girl but can not forget about her and yet they somehow wind up together a result of some freak coincidences and/or events. Thank god, "how to lose your lover" in nothing like this cliché. Here, writer/director Jordan Hawley comes up two original ideas. The initial concept of "breaking of my life" seemed pretty fresh: Owen quits his job, cancels his cell-phone, sells his car and starts a fight with everybody so he can not come back to LA, no matter what. In other words, he burns his bridges in LA. But I think Hawley hits a home-run with the way Owen puts his relationship with Val on fast track (e.g., meeting the parents on the first date, asking her to have sex almost immediately), together with seeing what such a shallow guy prioritizes in his relationship with Val. Additionally, side-characters like Bucky Brandt (Fred Willard) as the astronaut with drinking problems and Allison (Poppy Montgomery) as the bisexual love- interest of Owen are well-designed and beautifully fit into the story.

How to lose your lover is not Eiffel Tower of romantic comedy genre and it won't be a timeless classic either. However, if you watch this movie just keeping in mind that this is nothing but a little movie and appreciating aforementioned ideas of Hawley, you'll find it good and entertaining. I have known Paul Schneider through his minor roles (like in "the family stone") and this is the first time I saw him under the spotlight. I must say he gives a solid performance as this a**hole Owen. Despite that the end seems a little bit weak and unsatisfying comparing the rest of the movie, How to lose your lover is definitely worth- seeing, especially if you like dark comedy...

7/10

How to lose your interest....

[gradyharp · 4/10 · 15 September 2006]

Jordan Hawley wrote and directed this dark 'comedy' about the current state of love/hate relationships in Los Angeles (or inability to create same) with about as much panache as yesterday's onion rings. The storyline has been used so many times that the tread is off the tires.

LA ghostwriter Owen (Paul Schneider) is a 'nice guy' who sustains an inability to form a satisfactory love relationship. Exasperated with his life style he decides to become a cad: that must be what women (and men) want. He reverses his nice guy tactic and begins telling everyone he encounters just how he feels - and that is usually negative! The only person who doesn't but into his change is his roommate Allison (Poppy Montgomery) who is bisexual and therefore not wholly available. He decides to leave Los Angeles and move to the East Coast where a lucrative deal awaits him to write the memoirs of a famous man. At the last moment he meets one Val (Jennifer Westfeldt), an animal activist: the chemistry is there but each has a conflicting program. Owen is honest with her, a factor that does not chase her away, but both part ways to other parts of the world. Upon return to LA after a disappointing experience on the East Coast, tables turn and surprises arise. And the ending is a mixture of silly and unsatisfying.

Movies like this are meant to entertain and some of the dialogue is clever albeit acerbic. It just that the idea of relationship examination under these terms is so worn out that the movie just doesn't spark any innovative thoughts. After about thirty minutes into the film this 'audience' lost interest.

For a thoroughly un-entertaining time, watch this

[Knuckle · 2/10 · 20 March 2006]

Like the title, everything in "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" is swiped or cribbed from another, greater source.

In this monstrosity, Paul Schneider, plays the main character Owen, a weedy author of pot boiler murderer biographies who aspires to become a legitimate, serious author. Far from being a sympathetic schlep who we can sympathize with for falling short of his dreams, Owen comes off as a petty, whiny, vindictive loser who does more to sabotage his own efforts than the supposedly cynical, money-is-everything city that surrounds him.

Given an opportunity to enter the world of legitimate literature by writing the biography of a scientist, Owen for some reason feels the need to leave the city in the rudest way possible. Ostensibly, this is so he will never be tempted to come back but it comes off as a contrived way to allow our hero to scandalize, verbally brutalize, and otherwise act in a horribly anti-social way to everyone that he has been associating with over the past few years. But then, just as he has burned every single bridge imaginable, he meets and falls madly in love with the girl of his dreams. Oh, the humanity...

Aside from some highly derivative dialog (you'll notice some Albert Brooks-esquire lines and deliveries in there) there is a scene involving lime Jell-O that will have you screaming, "That's EXACTLY like the lobster scene in "Annie Hall!" None of Owen's pranks, and the situations that arise from them, are particularly original, clever, or compelling and so when you come to the highly predictable end you are almost relieved. That is, ALMOST. A likelier scenario is that you will be left feeling gypped of your time and money, with your intelligence thoroughly insulted.

Poorly directed, unoriginal mess

[luciditynow · 1/10 · 6 October 2004]

This film started out with a humorous, well-written screenplay that had potential, but this was wasted by the incompetent direction of its writer, Jordan Hawley. This film is Hawley's directorial debut and it couldn't be a better illustration of his complete lack of directorial confidence, creativity, or thoughtfulness. The dialogue is delivered in a forced, emotionally false way. There are many comedic cheap shots and the humor has a needlessly mean spirit. On a technical note, the cinematography is pretty good with some vibrant colors and a few of the supporting performances, notably Fred Willard's, are funny. However, the film panders to the lowest common denominator and follows a predictable formula. Despite its low- budget, this film has none of the wit and edge you would expect of an indie. It is "mainstream comedy" in the worst sense of the term.

Great cast and insightful story

[ellenjessamy · 10/10 · 3 February 2005]

This movie is one that Angelenos and anyone who's had a love-hate relationship with the city they live in will completely understand. Paul Schneider delivers a great performance as a young man trying to start his life over. With the help of his friends and eccentric employer (Fred Willard) he goes on an amusing, and sometimes heartbreaking journey to fix the wrong in his life. First time director Jordan Hawley delivers with a clever script and characters that everyone can relate to. It's great to see Jennifer Westfeldt cast in this as well. Great ensemble cast makes this movie a funny and fresh romantic comedy.

Poop of the worst variety

[dog_fc · 1/10 · 1 February 2006]

Oh boy. Another in a looooooong series of movies penned and directed by Hollywood types who want to stick it to Hollywood. Whoever told writers, "write what you know" should have added the qualifier, "only if it is entertaining." I can only wait for the doofus who put this lame hunk of junk together to produce a movie about reality TV.

Now let us place blame where blame is due for this horrid waste of time.

Paul Schneider doesn't seem to have a subtle bone in his body and instead of being funny, his antics are tiresome, bordering on the offensively unfunny.

Jordan Hawley - wrote and directed this trash. I'm sure that if anyone besides myself had bothered to watch this, he'd be getting honorary Razzies for the rest of his life.

didn't like it.

[jackhammer111 · 1/10 · 20 February 2007]

this is one of the worst films i've ever seen. to me, it represents the worst aspects of the movie "business". it's a product. not brand name at that. it's the grocery chain generic version of laundry soap or pop corn or a cheap version of a scouring pad/sponge. in order to sustain an industry you have to have product and this is pure product. OK, i've seen worse. at least they try to make a statement about finding love and the hoops we jump through but it contradicts itself time and time again until the characters stand for nothing. personally, i don't relate to any of them or care for them any more than i would poor schmucks caught in the wrong line in a grocery. and their plight seems to me no more serious than that. i give it four yawns. fortunately i was learning my new cell phone so it wasn't a total was of time. (sarcasm on) and how is it that Paul Schneider hasn't gone on to stardom. sarcasm off). this film is as replaceable as a piston rod.

I would not want this movie on my resume.

[DarkVulcan29 · 1/10 · 25 June 2006]

Did any of the actors put any thought while reading the script. Or they just had nothing better to do with there time. I thought How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days sure had its perks. This movie started out good, a good Hollywood setting, about the adventures and misadventures of romance in L.A. But as the film went on it just really got bad, and annoying to sit through. My thoughts on this is, who wrote this stupidity anyone dares to call it self a movie script. The characters seriously become very unsympathetic. Poppy Montgomery and Tori Spellings characters make this film very unwatchable. Not that they are bad actress's, they just deserve better then this.

How to have a fun night "in"....rent this delightful romcom!

[inkblot11 · 8/10 · 28 January 2010]

Owen (Paul Schneider) is an erstwhile writer who lives in Los Angeles. He loves the city but he is having trouble on two fronts. One, his work is mainly "ghost writing" sensational crimes, like the exploits of a set of homicidal twins. At present, he is working on the biography of a former astronaut (Fred Willard). And, second, Owen is having trouble in the romance department, too. He is still in love with his ex, Eileen, when an earthquake shakes the town, scaring everyone. But, to add insult to injury, Owen's former flame tells him that the quake has led her to conclude that any reconciliation between them is out of the question. Mightily depressed, Owen decides to burn every bridge in LaLa Land and move east. Thus, in short order, he says goodbye to his great pal, Allison (Poppy Montgomery) and her girlfriend (Tori Spelling), gives up his apartment and smokes a reefer right in front of his old AA group. He also sells his car. But, when he arrives at the airport to fly to New Jersey and begin his new life, wouldn't you know, a pretty woman, Val (Jennifer Westfeldt) is there, kissing a man goodbye. Since she is a friend of Eileen's, he strikes up a conversation when they are alone. It is there he learns that she has broken up with her boyfriend (one last kiss for good measure, it seems) and is available. Owen likes what he sees and so does Val. Yet, how can return to the city of Angels when he has just given the town the raspberry? Nevertheless, Owen u-turns and bunks with Allison while his relationship with Val is beginning. Since time is of the essence, Owen puts Val to the "test", trying to see if she will find a problem with his worst habits. What will be ahead for these two? This was such a delightful romantic comedy! It has zest, imagination, and humor in abundance. It also has a very capable cast, with Schneider, Montgomery, Willard, Spelling, Westfeldt, and everyone else doing great work. Quite nice as well are the sets, costumes, and production values. Most importantly, the writing and direction are downright wonderful, far above the norm in tinseltown. If you adore funny tales of love, get this one without delay. It wrote the book on "how to have a fun night in"!

Great dialog and a nice love/hate movie about LA

[ccw1138 · 8/10 · 20 February 2006]

I thought this was a very well-written, funny and interesting comedy about how people can both love and hate LA, while also finding love for themselves. It's true the movie does look low budget at times. But, the cast does such a fine job (Tori Spelling was even a pleasant surprise), and there is an honesty about Paul Schnedier's character. He starts off as a cynical, "I don't care about this town, or anyone in it" type of guy. But, he gradually grows to recognize what's important about LA is not his perception and bias, but the friends in his life, people he took for granted for far too long. The audience I saw it with at Tribeca really loved it. This film is worth checking out.

Witty and fun

[dmasursky · 8/10 · 2 December 2010]

I've had this movie on my radar for awhile, because it has Jennifer Westfeldt in it and I'm a huge fan of hers and want to make sure I see everything she's ever done (I know, I'm a pathetic groupie). Somewhat surprisingly, she's actually not the best thing about this film, and I think she's a little wasted in it (like they told her not to overdo it and she's a little muted). But Paul Schneider is terrific, and overall it's a really funny, charming movie. It's definitely low budget, which is not a problem at all for me, because the writing is sharp and the actors do a great job. I've always thought that independently-produced romantic comedies are always better than the Hollywood ones, because they're always funnier and more romantic. This film is more evidence for my theory. The idea of being totally honest to run someone off is reminiscent of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, but the concept is used to better effect in this movie and doesn't feel nearly as stilted as it did in Kate Hudson's film. The movie doesn't go quite where you think it's going either (at least not where I thought it was going) which is a bonus, and it has great kissing, another bonus. Definitely worth watching if you like movies that are smart and a little offbeat.

A heart warming love story

[magnumco · 8/10 · 20 March 2006]

Beautiful and well worth watching. A successful biographer wonders where his future lies and soon begins to tire of his supposedly shallow life in Los Angeles. When an offer for work on the East Coast comes along he seriously considers burning all his bridges and leave Los Angeles forever. All goes according to plan until a chance encounter at the airport delays his departure.

I found it funny and enjoyable to watch. Of course it will appeal most to LA residents for the the subtle humor "I like the bus", but any one who has transplanted to a big city will enjoy the movie. It's a very well made movie with Fred Willard providing his usual impeccable humor.

It's all in here...

[peterje98 · 9/10 · 22 January 2007]

Jordan Hawley's 'How to Lose Your Lover' is my kind of movie – all about brainy self-examination, funny, and full of twists.

For me it's genuinely original – goodbyes are always about fake warm feelings, not burning bridges.

Enjoy the psychosis, the antics, the irreverence and the decadence - but when it counts there is real heart in here, too.

Setting this sort of thing in LA is something I've never seen.

I want to call Hawley 'West Coast Woody'.

Has any movie celebrated the buildings and landmarks of LA in the same way?

Very Funny. Really enjoyed it!

[aparkinson-1 · 10/10 · 26 March 2006]

I loved the movie! My wife, a friend and I watched it together and found ourselves laughing really hard. We particularly liked the scenes where the main character did his best to alienate all of his "friends". I'm sure all of us have had similar urges with people we have met either socially or at work, but would never act on them the way he does. The dialogue and reactions really are brilliantly written and cast.

We also loved the relationships and character development throughout the move, as well as the ending twist.

A definite must for anyone who loves a good movie and loves to laugh!

Surprisingly Meaningful Romantic Comedy

[vscordino · 10/10 · 15 February 2006]

In what proves to be a most enjoyable viewing experience, this new filmmaker (Jordan Hawley) does more than provide diverting fodder. He cleverly documents the struggle between one's expectations and one's reality, the desire to achieve dreams imagined in youth - idyllic family life in New England - and the need to appreciate what you have - a charming existence in Los Angeles.

Paul Schneider's performance is remarkable, while not necessarily surprising (see his brief turn in "The Family Stone.") His embodiment of Owen, the clever and reflective protagonist, gives us plenty to appreciate and even more to laugh about.

Los Angeles is rarely portrayed in this positive a light so effectively. Without becoming too sentimental, the filmmaker shows the people of Los Angeles what they could be seeing everyday, if they would open their eyes and quit bitching.