How Do You Know | C-

 With an all-star cast and legendary writer/director James L. Brooks, How Do You Know was one of the most highly anticipated films of the holiday season—and what a disappointment it was. How Do You Know was about two hours too long. With poorly drawn characters, a bad storyline and a general lack of plot, it is impossible to lose yourself in this movie.

The movie centers on Lisa "Smalls" Jorgensen (Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line)  a professional softball player who has recently retired due to her age. Lisa struggles to find her place in life and love between the archetypal jock, major league pitcher Matty Reynolds, played by Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers), and the awkward pushover businessman George Madison, played by Paul Rudd (Role Models).

Lisa seems consistently conflicted, her internal monologue in constant contradiction with itself. She says one thing and then immediately changes her mind. It is difficult to imagine her capable of making a decision because everything she contemplates is met with such severe uncertainty. Yet, other times, she takes charge, showing the no-nonsense side of her personality. Witherspoon does what she can with the character, making the inherently unlikable Lisa almost charming at times. Despite the inconsistencies in her character, within a few scenes here and there she comes off as endearing.

Rudd is the high point of the movie, garnering most if not all of the genuine laughs from Brooks' dry and confused script. His character, George, is the target of a federal investigation, is dumped by his girlfriend and is left with nothing but legal bills. Rudd does what he can to keep the audience slightly engaged, but there is only so much for him to do because of the limitations of the character. For instance, the storyline about his company appears forced, and it falls short. The product is merely an amateurish distraction from the main plot.

Wilson falls comfortably into his go-to character of a well meaning but clueless guy who doesn't understand that he is a jerk. Jack Nicholson does his best portraying George's father, but this character was poorly developed as well, and it seemed like he was only there as a plot device to create a conflict for George.

Writer, director and producer James L. Brooks has shown expertise in numerous films throughout the years, including As Good as It Gets, Say Anything and Jerry Maguire. He has mastered the comedy genre with programs such as The Simpsons and Taxi. It is surprising to find such a lack of humor and story development from this practiced professional. The film's writing is imprecise. The timeline is fuzzy at best, making much of the storyline confusing as a result, and the ending does not even come close to salvaging what is left of the film. The moral of the story is that the cast certainly isn't everything.