Wouldn't it be great to truly know what women were thinking, everything they wanted, every little inner desire? Even though it's not possible, it's an interesting premise for a film, and with stars Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt in the leading role, it looks to be a holiday season blockbuster. Problem is, it's over 2 hours long. Not even Mel's manly humor or Helen's charm can keep this movie afloat for that long.

Mel Gibson plays Nick Marshall, an advertising executive, and a man's man (which is explained in detail at the start of the film). What would be the best day in his life is suddenly shattered when he is passed over for someone else - a woman, no less - for a job promotion he's been in line for for months. The woman is Darcy (Helen Hunt), who fits perfectly into the advertising agency's new look, going for the supposed $40 billion women's market. Not only does he get passed over for the job he's been looking forward to, but that night, a bit tipsy, he accidentally electrocuits himself by falling into a bathtub with a blowdrier. When he wakes up the next morning (still on his bathroom floor), he is a changed man. He has the power that every man wants, the ability to hear what women think.

It's a great premise, the actors are a great pairing, and when all is said and done, this movie should work. But it doesn't. The makers of this film decided to pile on plot line after plot line along with many musical interludes, which feature Mel without his shirt for most of the time. Don't get me wrong, this movie is funny for the most part - in fact, there's some downright hilarious moments, but it just drags on and on and on. A romantic comedy isn't supposed to go over 2 hours. For some reason, the makers thought, "we've got a great premise, great actors, and it should all work out into a great movie." Unfortunately they also thought that the same joke, the same thoughts would work time after time for over 2 hours. It just doesn't work. For a good time, go for the first 1/2 of the movie, because after that, there's really nothing new or anything worth staying for.

Genres: Comedy, Romance
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 123 minutes
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