When a comedy takes an old classic and retells it, I usually will find this dull and boring, but when "Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past" does a little Charles Dickens, I'm couldn't help but be a little bit impressed. This movie tells the story of A Christmas Carol with a modern day twist, of course.
Fashion photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is a true ladies man, he thinks that by dating every woman he meets he can keep the pain from his first love slipping away at bay. He thinks the less he commits himself the better off he will be. This is a philosophy that was taught to him by his uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas), a now deceased lady-killer legend who notoriously hosted mind-numbing, clothing optional, week-long orgies in his house. Connor also remarks that the term MILF was invented by his Uncle.
Connor is invited by his brother Paul (Breckin Meyer) to his and his fiance Sandra's (Lacey Chabert) wedding, against the advice of Connor's childhood sweetheart Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner), Jenny had hopes for Connor at one time, they were childhood friends, and even sweethearts. Connor's reputation proceeds him, he breaks up with three girls on a conference call so he can be with a fourth woman. When Connor makes it to the mansion where the wedding is going to be held, all kinds of high jinks start. Connor goes to the washroom and there the fun starts, he is visited by the ghost of his uncle Wayne, Wayne tells Connor that he has been watching him and that he is destined to be alone, so in order to help him, Wayne is going to allow Connor to be visited by the three ghosts, they will represent his Girlfriends past, Allison Vandermeersh (Emma Stone) present, Melanie (Noureen DeWulf) and future (Olga Maliouk).
Connor even hits on Sandra's Mother Vonda (Anne Archer), she tells him that she is to old for him. She points out the one bridesmaid that hasn't already slept with Connor, he tells Denice to go up to his room and wait for him. When he gets there he meets his first ghost who takes him back in time to when he and Jenny were just kids. Just before his parents die in a car accident. Of course uncle Wayne steps up and raises both the boys, this gives Connor his education that he carries with him into his adulthood. After the first ghost leaves, Connor runs down into the kitchen to get a drink and more calamity happens, he tries to leave the mansion but is stopped by the "present" ghost. She is going to show him how happy the people around him are when ever he isn't near them. She points out that Jenny is moving on, that she still has feelings for Connor but he almost destroyed them, he has also just about destroyed his brothers wedding as well. The "future" ghost shows Connor that his life is a lone one, that no one except his brother will come to his funeral.
The next morning when Connor wakes up he opens the window and asks a young boy if it's Christmas, the boy replies "no it's Saturday." Connor finds out that what he has done has almost ruined his brothers life as well, so Connor sets out to right the wrongs of his actions. To say that the ending is so cliche is an understatement, we know he will stop Sandra from walking away, we know he and Jenny will get back together, but it's touching to witness it as it happens.
I give Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past a 3 and on my avoidance scale a 0. Ghosts isn't a true chick flick but it's close, but guys don't despair this movie is worth the time and effort. Overall this movie contains some touching scenes, the comedy hits it's mark almost every time. You will laugh and maybe even cry, I recommend this movie whole heartily.
Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past is rated PG-13 for Sexual Content Throughout, Some Language and a Drug Reference
running time is 1 hr. 55 mins.
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