Owen McCabe (Paul Schneider) is an writer residing in LA. Shaken up by a minor earth-quake, he realizes how unhappy he is with his life: he just writes the lives of other people just to make to look good (or better than what they actually are) and he has not met someone special one all this time. So, he decides to "break-up" with his life and move on. Unfortunately for him, just when he accepts a job in New Jersey, he meets Val (Jennifer Westfeldt) at the airport. The conflict between knowing that Val is out there available and that he really needs to go to Jersey forces him to put this relationship on fast track, facilitating his decision: should he stay or should he go?Of course, when any romantic movie begins with such a premise, it sounds like one of these awfully made chick-flicks like On the Line (no offense): guy meets the girl but can not forget about her and yet they somehow wind up together a result of some freak coincidences and/or events. Thank god, "how to lose your lover" in nothing like this cliché. Here, writer/director Jordan Hawley comes up two original ideas. The initial concept of "breaking of my life" seemed pretty fresh: Owen quits his job, cancels his cell-phone, sells his car and starts a fight with everybody so he can not come back to LA, no matter what. In other words, he burns his bridges in LA. But I think Hawley hits a home-run with the way Owen puts his relationship with Val on fast track (e.g., meeting the parents on the first date, asking her to have sex almost immediately), together with seeing what such a shallow guy prioritizes in his relationship with Val. Additionally, side-characters like Bucky Brandt (Fred Willard) as the astronaut with drinking problems and Allison (Poppy Montgomery) as the bisexual love- interest of Owen are well-designed and beautifully fit into the story.How to lose your lover is not Eiffel Tower of romantic comedy genre and it won't be a timeless classic either. However, if you watch this movie just keeping in mind that this is nothing but a little movie and appreciating aforementioned ideas of Hawley, you'll find it good and entertaining. I have known Paul Schneider through his minor roles (like in "the family stone") and this is the first time I saw him under the spotlight. I must say he gives a solid performance as this a**hole Owen. Despite that the end seems a little bit weak and unsatisfying comparing the rest of the movie, How to lose your lover is definitely worth- seeing, especially if you like dark comedy...7/10

this is one of the worst films i've ever seen. to me, it represents the worst aspects of the movie "business". it's a product. not brand name at that. it's the grocery chain generic version of laundry soap or pop corn or a cheap version of a scouring pad/sponge. in order to sustain an industry you have to have product and this is pure product. OK, i've seen worse. at least they try to make a statement about finding love and the hoops we jump through but it contradicts itself time and time again until the characters stand for nothing. personally, i don't relate to any of them or care for them any more than i would poor schmucks caught in the wrong line in a grocery. and their plight seems to me no more serious than that. i give it four yawns. fortunately i was learning my new cell phone so it wasn't a total was of time. (sarcasm on) and how is it that Paul Schneider hasn't gone on to stardom. sarcasm off). this film is as replaceable as a piston rod.

Jordan Hawley's 'How to Lose Your Lover' is my kind of movie – all about brainy self-examination, funny, and full of twists. For me it's genuinely original – goodbyes are always about fake warm feelings, not burning bridges. Enjoy the psychosis, the antics, the irreverence and the decadence - but when it counts there is real heart in here, too.Setting this sort of thing in LA is something I've never seen. I want to call Hawley 'West Coast Woody'. Has any movie celebrated the buildings and landmarks of LA in the same way?

This film started out with a humorous, well-written screenplay that had potential, but this was wasted by the incompetent direction of its writer, Jordan Hawley. This film is Hawley's directorial debut and it couldn't be a better illustration of his complete lack of directorial confidence, creativity, or thoughtfulness. The dialogue is delivered in a forced, emotionally false way. There are many comedic cheap shots and the humor has a needlessly mean spirit. On a technical note, the cinematography is pretty good with some vibrant colors and a few of the supporting performances, notably Fred Willard's, are funny. However, the film panders to the lowest common denominator and follows a predictable formula. Despite its low- budget, this film has none of the wit and edge you would expect of an indie. It is "mainstream comedy" in the worst sense of the term.