Question: “There’s this guy that I like, we get along really well. I get the idea he’s interested, and all of my friends think so too because there’s so many signs that all add up. But he’s not asking me out! Should I ask him out instead? Should I give him a call? I can call him, right?”

Answer: You shouldn’t have to. If a guy likes you, he will make it happen. Otherwise, he’s not interested. He’s just not that into you.

This is the message that is droned into us when watching the screen version of the world’s most popular female self-help book. While it seems so obvious, it’s clear that we need it spelled out for us – otherwise it wouldn’t be here. The whole thing was created from a single quote used in Sex and the City after all, the epicentre of showcasing female insecurity. After the phenomenon of the book and the A-list talent of this ensemble you should expect results. But does the message sink in?

Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo’s book of the same name was expanded off the titular quote to enormous success. It’s one for the ladies; the basic q&a format covering everything from why guys aren’t asking them out, marrying them, sleeping with them – basically, why guys are idiots. The film follows the same premise, but changes the order around and only covers the book’s main issues. For filmic purposes, Never Been Kissed scribes Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein have created a plot with multiple storylines, introducing characters whose connections to each other are revealed steadily throughout – and not everyone has the happy ending.

The highlight is the story of Gigi (a standout Ginnifer Goodwin), a girl who seeks advice from wise bar manager Alex (Justin Long). Readers of the book will recognise a similarity to the relationship between author Greg Behrendt and (likely fictitious) crazy questioner Nikki – but Gigi’s story, unlike that duo, carries the most heart. Director Ken Kwapis finds himself overloading when it comes to the rest – there’s little to care about for most of the others. Scarlett Johansson as the subtly seductive Anna appears likable at first but then ends up too similar to many of her previous roles, while Drew Barrymore’s role as ads guru Mary had stronger potential to explore the more common cyberworld (but MySpace? Who MySpaces nowadays? We’ve moved on – it’s called Facebook!). The focus on Gigi is what holds the film together. Seeing her character grow is the only source of that warm, fuzzy feeling this film should provide; her story is the truth that this film was going for, and having too many subplots unfortunately draws much away from it.

Verdict:

He’s Just Not That Into You will always be a massive reality check for females about relationships. The book tells girls what they all know but hate to admit. Gigi’s journey is a reflection and success of this as the film strives to do the same, but ultimately we’re left with mediocre characters in a film too long. If it’s more laughs you want, read the book. The film adaptation takes itself almost a little too seriously (at least there aren’t all sugar-coated endings), but still drills in the intended messages. Like Gigi’s epiphany, it’s the rule, not the exception.

Follow the author Katina Vangopoulos on Twitter.