I completely disagree with the critics here. There is some pity to have but there is nothing wrong about it. Sandra just nails the character in an hilarious way. Most laughs I had in a while even compared with bigger comedy guns. This film is a little gem. The heroine is fun, likable, beautiful, energic, hilarious, skillful but just a little goofy and virgin. No pity to be had. Plus, it's a film. The only bit I didn't like was the moralising at the end. Hilarious!

In case you didn't know, Sandra Bullock was nominated for 'Worst Actress' at the annual 'Razzie' awards for her performance in 'All About Steve.' She even bucked tradition and went to the ceremony to accept it. That is how well the film is generally thought of - as one of the worst you could watch that year.So why did the usually bankable and charming Ms Bullock come a cropper with this one? Well, she does actually play her usual, i.e. charming self. The film was marketed as a typical kooky comedy which she is known for. However, instead of being lovable, she's annoying, or rather deliberately annoying.Her character, although being intelligent, seems to have difficulty picking up on other people's non verbal communications. In many ways (and this is NEVER addressed in the movie) she shares some traits with aspergers sufferers. Therefore, she openly stalks a man who she believes is really her soul mate.Yes, there are some funny moments on the way, but, in a film where you expect to be rooting for Sandra, you find yourself sympathising with everyone BUT her! This is Sandra Bullock's 'The Cable Guy,' i.e. a film where a normally comic actor chooses to deliberately mix things up by playing a much darker version of what they're normally known for.The ending is a bit predictable (and somewhat unrealistic), but, if you can forgive that, plus realise that you're not actually going to like Sandra Bullock's character that much in this one, then you could just sit back and enjoy it for being quite an entertaining satire on the American news networks.Not great, but definitely not the worst film ever made either.

This movie is one of the MORE INTELLIGENT ROMANTIC COMEDIES THAT DOES NOT TAKE ITSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. That conscious approach of the film is both risky and refreshing in my opinion. A lot of reviewers who gave this film a bad review point to the supposed lack of plot and the great annoyance they felt for the main character Mary. Mary's overbearing attitude plays a crucial role in effectively conveying the film's message which it narrates in the end, in a form of self reflection by the protagonist. The message is this.... Will Shortz, the creator of the New York Times crossword puzzles said that "we all have an inherent need to fill empty spaces" Mary realizes towards the end of the movie that the whole obsession with Steve is driven by this need to fill a void in her life, that she like many of us, refused to recognize. We fill those holes in our otherwise happy lives with different things like work, exercising, eating, and even a passionate albeit baseless belief of a strong romantic connection with someone. Eventually, Mary realized that this internal void need not be filled with the thought of one great love, like many of the rom com movies try to feed us, but rather by the many people we meet, the old and new friendships we make, and the many stumbles we'll have as we journey through life.

The problem with a lot of reviews and perhaps therefore reviewers is a distinct lack of empathy. The ability to see beyond your own feelings and experience is critical in understanding pretty much anything to do with people and especially if its reviewing the value of something for others. I get why a lot of people didn't like the movie, in a way there is a lot not to like UNLESS you have know people like Mary. I've know many. Of course, I don't mean exactly like Mary, what I mean is the character of Mary in this movie is representative of scores of people who are not normal, i.e. like most other people. I'm fairly sure it could have been tighter and perhaps could have had a lot better script but there were real moments of heart and fun.It's not a block buster but very few are. It's not a classic either but again, very few are. What it is is a cute exploration of vulnerability done by one of the best exponents of that characteristic, SB!Loved it on iTunes movies and so did my wife.