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Love At First Fight

Here comes another standard movie about the dating escapades of beautiful, successful, foolish-in-love white folks. "The Ugly Truth" has absolutely nothing new to say and is, at best, a gimmicky fantasy, despite star Katherine Heigl's claim that it feels like "two people … coming together in a [grown-up] world, not the cartoon version."

In this ever-so-reality-based story, Abby (Heigl) is a morning show producer in Sacramento who hopes to boost ratings without selling her soul. No such luck as her superior hires Mike (Gerard Butler), an outspoken, sexist pig for a he-said dating segment called, what do you know, "The Ugly Truth." Naturally, they lock horns instantly, in that sexual tension kind of way. 

In addition to acting as the network's love-themed Bill O'Reilly, he starts shelling out romantic advice to Abby, who fancies the waxy, bland hunk next door (Eric Winter). Stop being yourself, he says. Instead act as both a stripper and a librarian, laugh at everything he says, never criticize him and definitely don't mention any of your problems.

As Mike coaches Abby to win over the chiseled doctor, he starts to realize, gosh, she's kind of swell (seems like "He's Just Not That Into You" déjà vu). He may play a barbaric jerk on TV, but deep down he's a sweetie, really; his adoring nephew would vouch for him. Admittedly, Butler ("300") is a riot in this part, channeling Tom Cruise's trash-talking character in "Magnolia" -- he's always fun to watch, even though you wish he could be superimposed into a better movie. Same goes for Heigl ("27 Dresses"), who has supreme comic timing despite her pin-up girl looks. She's particularly droll in a scene where she has dinner with higher-ups while wearing vibrating underwear, and enjoys her entrée just a bit too much.

"The Ugly Truth" isn't terrible, but it screams of been-there-done-that. Director Robert Luketic (who helmed the grotesque "Monster-In-Law") goes through the motions and lacks a signature touch. Not that he has much to work with: The script from Nicole Eastman, Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith is too blah and obvious for its own good ("I liked caviar until I realized it was made of fish eggs!" says Bree Turner in a supporting role). You won't need a compass to figure out where this story is going every inch of the way.

The film relies entirely on the chemistry between Heigl and Butler -- though he could likely have sparks with a lamp post -- and scattered moments of broad humor. Like one of Abby's botched dates early on, it fails to leave any kind of lasting impression.