Very cute. Although Molly Ringwald is generally a fairly decent actress, it's hard to give her too much attention with Downey taking center stage. Robert Downey is, as always, terribly charming. This and possibly only this, makes the movie enjoyable. Unfortunately the film generally over-reaches. It's not a complex plot; Downey is a compulsive womanizer who is eager to add Ringwald to his list of conquests until she turns him down. Downey then becomes obsessed with her and follows her around trying to convince her to give him another chance. Along the way he finds out that she's in trouble with loan sharks. They gamble to get the money in time and miraculously win. Still, she turns him down claiming that they're no good for each other. For the grand finale she changes her mind the next day, deciding that even though they're bad for each other they should give a relationship a go anyway. The film attempts to be a light romantic comedy yet still have complex characters. Ringwald does have some great moments but on the whole cannot pull off the bitchy-insecure character. Rather than developing the story properly, there are several concepts that seems to be haphazardly thrown in such as Doweny's friend at the diner,the wealthy Columbian obsessed with Ringwald, Downey's grandmother and the Elvis singing mugger. I imagine it could have been a very good film if they had simply made it longer and developed all the characters properly. Still, I've seen much worse. If you want something light with Downey at his most charming you'll enjoy it.
Review of The Pick-up Artist
