Twenty years ago today, a classic romantic comedy, starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, directed by Donald Petrie released… and it was a hit! Grossing over $170 million, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days was–and still is–a fan favorite. But, not everyone believes so. 

According to Rotten Tomatoes, a trusted website where critics can review movies, some deplore the film, due to its “predictable script.” But on the other hand, this aspect is precisely why some viewers loved the movie. Especially considering the genre of this film, its predictable nature is reasonable and indeed makes the film all the better! Having a neat idea of what will occur next in the movie, leaves viewers eagerly waiting for the next scene–forever excited for what will come next, thus allowing the film’s plot to be extremely entertaining and enjoyable.

But, what is the controversial plot? 

The film follows the lighthearted relationship between an ambitious advice columnist, Andie, who explores the extent of her writing, when she decides to write a column explaining how one can surely drive a man to end a relationship, in a 10-day timeframe. But of course, Andie must experiment! So she does; Andie believes that she finds the ‘perfect’ man to steer away from her. Yet funnily, the man Andie believes is ‘perfect,’ turns out to be an egotistical man, who is running a test of his own–Andie being his testee. The self-assured Ben believes that he can make any woman fall in love with him, likewise in 10 days. So, as two contradictory experiments occur, as anticipated, the tests certainly don’t transpire as planned. 

The film is amusing, lighthearted, and even silly. But is the silly nature seriously something to fuss about?! I mean, of course, the film is “silly,” it’s a romantic comedy! Being compared to other romantic comedies of the decade, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days doesn’t appear nearly as “silly.” For instance, take the 2009 romantic comedy Couples Retreat, starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell, Jason Bateman, and more; the two films have the same genre, yet Couples Retreat is far whackier, which goes to prove that for the genre, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is, in reality, less foolish than deemed to be.

So, instead of abasing the lively, buoyant, and cheerful Petrie film, we should put forward the entertaining movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, in celebration of its 20th anniversary!