Bart Freundlich's 'Trust The Man' reminded me of those quirky and whimsical Woody Allen films about adult relationships. However, this film lacked the whimsical quality of Allen's films and where Allen's films are rather subtle, 'Trust the Man' has a few sequences that were over the top. The worst of which is the climax scene surrounding the Tobey-Elaine storyline.Yet, 'Trust the Man' is still a likable effort. The dynamics of the two relationships and friendships are interesting and the interactions are both amusing and intense to watch. The performances stand out. David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Billy Crudup and Maggie Gyllenhaal are terrific in their respective roles. Gary Shandling and Ellen Barkin in hilarious in their one scene. Justin Bartha, James Le Gros, Eva Mendes and sensual Dagmara Dominczyk are great in their three scenes.It is easy to tell that the cast and maybe the crew had a lot of fun when making the film. Most of the comedic sequences and the dialogues (except for the few over the top ones as mentioned above) work well as they made me laugh. I did not mind the in your face jokes either.Nest to a few over the top jokes 'Trust the Man's main problem is the writing. the problems that the characters don't seem to be well-etched and they appear rather one-dimensional and convenient for the sake of creating a plotpoint. Many of the actions of the characters feel out of place or forced, like Tom engaging in an extra marital affair when he clearly loves his wife or Tobey following his therapist.As flawed as it might be, I, overall, enjoyed watching it because of the performances and humour.

This is the first Bart Freundlich film I've seen. Apparently, all of his films revolve around family and love relationships, so the man must know something. Could it be difficult being married to Julianne Moore? Freundlich is, and his "Trust the man" has Moore in a starring role, as Rebecca, a famous film actress who's married and has two children; Moore plays the part brilliantly and she doesn't seem to be playing herself.The other starring roles include Billy Crudup as Tobey; Rebecca's brother, whose best friend is Tom (David Duchovny); Rebecca's husband, and is the boyfriend of Elaine (Maggie Gyllenhaal); Rebecca's very good friend. It's not that everything in the film is about Rebecca, I could have constructed the relationships departing from any other character, but the one played by Moore seemed logical to establish a real life connection.It would be pretty fair to say that nothing really important happens in "Trust the man", which makes it even harder for me to recommend it as the good movie it is. Writer/director Freundlich takes a risk at showing us that 'slice of life' I love so much, and that's undoubtedly where the film works best. He has such an ear for relationship problems and also a very good eye for putting them on screen.Among the many things that we experience in "Trust the man", some short but insightful conversations can be pointed out: a visit that Rebecca and Tom make to the psychologist (a short appearance by Garry Shandling), a meeting Elaine has with the director of the publisher (a short appearance by Ellen Barkin) she's hoping will publish her children's book, the short visits that Tobey makes to his shrink (the infallible and uncredited Bob Balaban), and one discussion Elaine and Tobey have-or any of their discussions, for that matter-that the rest of the guests at Rebecca's house overhear in the table.My friend Alejo tells me he reads scripts often. Well, he should read this one, because it's brilliant. All the parts I mentioned are little moments during which reality is overwhelming and we can't believe our ears as we admire Freundlich's incredible perception. Not so often it happens to me that I'm blinded by the script of a romantic comedy, because "Trust the man" belongs to that genre in an uncommon way and it's also, luckily, funny.The chemistry of the actors here is also more important than in any ordinary romantic comedy. They're playing human beings involved in long-term relationships and it's vital that we feel the connection they have after such a long time. Elaine and Tobey have been together for seven years; and we really believe the immaturity transmitted by Crudup's wonderful portrayal and the innocence and deception that the wonderful and beautiful Gyllenhaal makes us feel. Duchovny, a genius when doing comedy, is inspired as ever and shows us that moment of life that's not a turning point but it's a crisis, and a tough one; and about Moore I already told you.The problem (and it's not a small one) in "Trust the man" comes when Freundlich wants to get away from the ordinary and become extraordinary; in the film. In the genre, this means doing the typical thing; so after we've had such a good time with twists that haven't been important or forced, the resolution comes as a big disappointment…As if Freundlich chickened out and took the easy way out.But trust this man on this one: this resolution will still get a smile out of your face (more likely if you're a fan of the genre like me) and it won't make the ride any worse. "Trust the man" is a keeper; a rare piece in its genre that will hopefully achieve its reflections stay with you for a while.

Duchovny and Crudup are the main characters in this film and we see the world around them through the prism of their significant others and how the four of them all interact with each other.Duchovny's married to Crudup's sister- which is kind of unclear in the beginning and hobbles the script's integrity as a result. It's almost as if he wasn't written in as the brother and then later on they changed their minds.The women in this film are not particularly attractive, mainly due to unflattering lighting and camera angles and this could have been intentional but, I like a little eye candy myself and this movie is short on that.What we DO have plenty of is duchovny's famous wiseass deadpan delivery of comedy that makes you think a little bit in order to get the joke sometimes. If you don't enjoy his sense of humor- you will despise this film. I like his smirk ridden sarcasm and verbal jabs that half his victims don't even comprehend as an insult -so for me it was entertaining, the scene with the sandwich and the group therapy was classic for his style.What we don't get in this movie is a believable ending or consistently believable characters- there are a few scenes that should have been on the editing floor and a bit more plot would have been nice. But this is a dorky romantic comedy so you can't be too harsh on it. As this genre goes- it's a pretty good one.When you watch this film you may think it is hokey or dorky but you will find enough laughs in between to keep watching. This is not a stellar flick, it's kind of mediocre and enjoyable but not really up to snuff with the dialog, the plot or the camera work. The unique humor presentation is what makes this movie watchable for me- you will hear jokes you wouldn't hear anywhere else, obscure, inside and of the moment, and that's fun.PLOT: two couples both break up and then we watch them try and get back together in fits and starts with all the classic scenes- the weird new boyfriend, the dinner party, the drama scene in public, etc.... Duchovny's wife's brother is half of couple number two in the plot. you will recognize the woman, in couple number two,Maggie Gyllenhaal as the lead in the weird and suggested film SECRETARY. Secretary is about as close as you can find to the exact opposite of this flick. :-)

I watched this film for two reasons, one is Julianne Moore, my favorite American actress at present, another is Bill Crudup, I find him is quite cute and has some potential in his previous movies.The films is directed by Bart Freundlich, known as Moore's husband, and again hasn't proved his talent in this movie. As a romantic comedy, this film lacks the chemistry and humor it should have. Two couples in the movie, married and unmarried, they face quite a normal situation every couple will mostly have to deal with sooner or later, but the storyline kinda boring and inanimate, some plots related to Eva Mendes, Ellen Barkin, Bob Balaban and Justin Bartha could be more embedded. Sadly, the film just touch the surface and leave it pitifully unfinished.The chemistry between main characters are also just so-so, David & Julianne seems OK, because they have worked together before ("Evolution"), Bill & Maggie just do not fit for each other, it should be blame for the casting. But anyway, since the film is not high-quality type, actors or actresses cannot save the whole flick here.And one important thing, Moore should think about a different way to show her support of her husband's work, maybe not be involved into it and be the woman behind him, that's enough!