Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys (2005)

Don't rent this reflections-on-relationships movie expecting it to be as gut-bustingly funny as Dave Barry is in print. That's like expecting Garrison Keillor to be as handsome in a movie as he is on the radio. Dave in this movie is Dave as he is: Hawaiian shirt, utterly relaxed, sometimes even barefoot, goofy grin, pithy one-liners delivered in his warbly voice. He does a good job as host narrator, esp. when interviewing the circle of women who bash men (gently), right up to the (affectionate) ending: "If men knew how cute they were and how much we love them when they do that -- they'd be dangerous! I mean, much *more* dangerous!" Make no mistake, the movie is funny -- and insightful -- just not as tightly produced as, say, Sex and the City. It is a low-budget movie but that's its charm. These no-name actors are all handsome and talented; Dave doesn't throw them farther than they can fly; they do a fine job. It's a low-key examination of how men and women can get along with each other better that all couples or would-be couples could benefit from viewing. Just don't expect Bruce Willis or Robin Williams. Three stars.