Something Borrowed is anything but blue

The phrase “Kate Hudson-rom-com'' tends to invoke involuntary shudders in most people who aren't 25 to 30-year-old women. But the latest film to fall into that category, Something Borrowed, is actually, surprisingly, quite good.

Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin, left) and Darcy (Kate Hudson) have been best friends since childhood. Rachel is used to being the hardworking good-girl who exists in the shadow of flashy and often selfish Darcy. However, on her 30th birthday, Rachel drinks too much and sleeps with Darcy's fiance, Dex (Colin Egglesfield). The fling turns into an affair, and Rachel is forced to decide which is more important, friendship or true love.

Based on best-selling novel by Emily Giffin, Something Borrowed was adapted for the screen by Jennie Synder, a writer/producer of shows such as Gilmore Girls and the 90210 reboot. She brings that female sensibility, humour and maturity of the former to Something Borrowed, while director Luke Greenfield (The Girl Next Door, Animal) gives it that My Best Friend's Wedding-vibe. This is easily Greenfield's best film and despite some genre cliches (all of the characters are white, rich, American and upper class), for the most part he keeps it fresh. He takes staples of the rom-com genre, such as a romantic rain scene or friend-falling-for friend scenario, and twists them into something unexpected and realistic. The flashbacks where we get to see Dex and Rachel meet in law school and how that relationship developed add depth to this complex love-story.

More dramedy than rom-com, Goodwin's relatable performance helps draw the audience into this other-woman scenario. Hudson is at her carefree, loose-cannon best and Egglesfield is certainly a leading man to watch. With his tall, dark and handsome shtick, he's like a hot, creep-free version of Tom Cruise that was described by my dear friend Keegan as a “multi-generational orgasm''. The Office's (US version) John Krasinski is, as usual, a scene stealer as Rachel's supportive friend and his natural comedic charm helps him milk the best lines in the film.

Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank originally bought the rights to Giffin's book and in her role as producer you can see her hand crafting this into more of an amusing dramedy that takes a mature look at 30-something's trying to negotiate the battlefield of love (a la P.S. I Love You). Something Borrowed doesn't break tradition, but it won't lead to extra-marital despair.

(Above: Arguably the best scene in the movie; Hudson and Goodwin break it down to Salt'n'Pepa's Push It.)

Something Borrowed is out in cinemas on Thursday, May 5.