If you want to stare at Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, and/or Reese Witherspoon for an hour-and-a-half, see this movie. But if you’re a die-hard, crazy, rom-com fanatic, you might be a little disappointed. Sure, This Means War is dreamily romantic, but it comes nowhere close to The Notebook. While Pine, Hardy, and Witherspoon are all gifted actors, their talents did not quite shine through the mediocre, not-so-amusing humor throughout the film. There were a few witty jokes throughout, but mostly with the help of Chelsea Handler. Pine, Hardy, and Witherspoon definitely could’ve used more gags.
However, the plot of This Means War is creative and entertaining. Two top CIA operatives and best friends, F.D.R. Foster (Pine) and Tuck Henson (Hardy), simultaneously begin dating beautiful, spunky, product testing executive Lauren Scott (Witherspoon). Tuck snags the first date, charming Lauren with his British accent and polite, sweet nature; posing as a travel agent. Tuck fails to inform her that he has an ex-wife and a son in his life. Meanwhile, F.D.R., Lauren’s other romantic interest, is a laid-back womanizer who poses as a cruise ship captain. His suave and flattering manners hold the attention of both Lauren and the audience as the film progresses.
Unaware that F.D.R. and Tuck know each other, Lauren continues dating both men, in an attempt to get over the fact that her ex-fiancé just got engaged. With the assistance of her best friend, Trish (Handler), Lauren balances the act of dating two extremely attractive men. Little does she know that F.D.R. and Tuck are best friends, both intensely competing for her affection. They surround her house with bodyguards and cameras, and they go inside her house–without her having a clue. The oblivious Lauren and super-devious F.D.R. and Tuck make these scenes amusing to watch, but they don’t do rom-com hilarity justice. Witherspoon, Pine, and Hardy’s acting in these scenes probably need the most work. It’s almost stupid how clueless Lauren is while both F.D.R. and Tuck prance around her house aimlessly spying on her. Originally vowing to never let a woman tear their friendship apart, F.D.R. and Tuck go overboard in their competitiveness for Lauren.
Eventually, as Lauren’s relationships with F.D.R. and Tuck develop, she meets their families. She learns of the struggles the two men have overcome in their lives and what has made them the men they are today. Lauren realizes that her relationships with the two men are becoming serious, and she struggles to choose which man she wants to be with. She goes to Trish for help in a heart to heart chat and Trish tells her the advice every girl needs to hear, “Don’t choose the better guy. Choose the guy who will make you the better girl.” Probably the best line in the movie, Handler’s heartfelt words deliver the most emotional message of the film.
Lauren makes her decision over which man she wants to be with, and causes a rift in Tuck and F.D.R.’s friendship. Soon after some tension between the two, they realize that they both broke the vow to never be torn apart by a woman. By the end of the film, Lauren is engaged to the man of her dreams, and the remaining man finds happiness and romance of his own. The film holds a happy ending as a feel-good romantic comedy should. Overall, This Means War is a commendable romantic comedy. It totally has the romantic aspect, but the comedy could’ve used some touching up.
