Based on the best-selling novel by Emily Giffin, Something Borrowed doesn’t need much to turn a highly enjoyable piece of chic-lit into an adorable rom-com. But the cast and clever adaption (by Jennie Snyder of 90210, Lipstick Jungle and Gilmore Girls) should also get their due.
We follow Darcy (Kate Hudson), Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Dex (Colin Egglesfield) whose friendships and romances boil down to a terrible dilemma: what comes first, the love of your life or your relationship with your BFF? Rachel is best friends with Darcy, a fun-loving, confident and successful young woman whose overpowering charisma has Rachel convinced she’s just an ordinary girl who shouldn’t expect too much from life. When Rachel reunites with old student friend Dex (Colin Egglesfield), he’s engaged to Darcy, but feelings Dex and Rachel ignored back in university bubble back up to the surface. Throw in a disapproving family and the trio is intertwined in a knot of guilt, unresolved backstories and pent up passion. There’s a secondary plot, too, involving Ethan (John Krasinski), confidant and advisor of this secret relationship. This womanizer turns out to the most valorous friend of the lot, casting a harsh light on the morals of the movie’s other characters.
Morals are definitely at the center of Something Borrowed’s appeal. Should Rachel leave Dex to Darcy? Or should they throw themselves into the relationship? We like how the movie’s conclusion is a little less perfect than the usual rom-coms. Unlike in fairy tales, things here get pretty ugly before reaching a happy ending. Slammed by critics, this movie got a firm nod of approval from audiences. Call us silly old romantics, but we side with the latter. Monruedee jansuttipan and Sita Srisawat