Life As We Know It

Life As We Know It

Directed by: Greg Berlanti

Cast: Katherine Heigl as Holly Bereson
Josh Duhamel as Eric Messer

Rated: PG-13

*The following may contain spoilers*

Overview
What happens when two, average people, each with their own lives and plans, are thrown together as a hesitant set of parents to the recently orphaned child, named Sophie, of their married best friends. While dealing with their own conflicting emotions of grief over their friends deaths, and their growing feelings for each other, Life As We Know It tells the beautiful story of overcoming tragedy and creating something beautiful from it.

Positive Attributes:
Despite having separate careers, lives and personalities (Holly owns her own pastry shoppe and "Messer" hopes to become the director of a sports booth), both Holly and Messer put their differences aside for the sake of giving Sophie an easier and better life. They both continually try and do what is best for the girl, trying their best to remain a normal family.In the end, they both admit they love each other, as much as they love Sophie and that the three of them are a family...

Negative Attributes:
However, a marriage between the two of them is never implied or shown in the movie. Before the adoption of Sophie, Messer was a "player". He continually makes references to bedding women (we see several instances of "the morning after") and we see him shamelessly flirt, kiss and seduce several, before and after he begins the family with Holly and Sophie. Despite living together, it notably takes quite a while for the two of them to sleep together. However, they did so out of marriage, so that's a no-no. On top of that bit of fornication (which is never shown, save for some kissing in the shadow and the removal of Messer's shirt), the two then make some "special brownies" using some marijuana that was referenced once before in the film. Messer seems to constantly be consuming alcohol, and drops a few expletives throughout the movie. He also provokes several (unwanted) sexual innuendos and comments from the ladies of the neighborhood.

Summary:
Life As We Know It is a touching, heartwarming movie that boasts both good acting and a fairly refreshing plot. It has it's bumps along the road, both in the plot and in the content, but overall, audiences walk away feeling good. While it may not win any awards, I definitely recommend Life as a feel-good/date-night movie that encourages perseverance, love and the power of family.

Personal Rating: 8.0 out of 10
Plot: 6
Sexuality/Sensuality: 5.5
Drugs/Alchohol: 3