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IMDbPro

How Do You Know

  • 2010
  • PG-13
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
56K
YOUR RATING
Jack Nicholson, Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, and Paul Rudd in How Do You Know (2010)
Feeling a bit past her prime at 27, former athlete Lisa Jorgenson (Witherspoon) finds herself in the middle of a love triangle, as a corporate guy in crisis (Rudd) competes with Lisa's current, baseball-playing beau (Wilson).
Play trailer2:53
7 Videos
92 Photos
Romantic ComedyComedyDramaRomance

After being cut from the U.S.A. softball team and feeling a bit past her prime, Lisa finds herself evaluating her life and in the middle of a love triangle, as a corporate guy in crisis comp... Read allAfter being cut from the U.S.A. softball team and feeling a bit past her prime, Lisa finds herself evaluating her life and in the middle of a love triangle, as a corporate guy in crisis competes with her current, baseball-playing beau.After being cut from the U.S.A. softball team and feeling a bit past her prime, Lisa finds herself evaluating her life and in the middle of a love triangle, as a corporate guy in crisis competes with her current, baseball-playing beau.

  • Director
    • James L. Brooks
  • Writer
    • James L. Brooks
  • Stars
    • Reese Witherspoon
    • Paul Rudd
    • Owen Wilson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    56K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James L. Brooks
    • Writer
      • James L. Brooks
    • Stars
      • Reese Witherspoon
      • Paul Rudd
      • Owen Wilson
    • 373User reviews
    • 155Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos7

    How Do You Know
    Trailer 2:53
    How Do You Know
    How Do You Know: See Your Place
    Clip 1:01
    How Do You Know: See Your Place
    How Do You Know: See Your Place
    Clip 1:01
    How Do You Know: See Your Place
    How Do You Know: Meet At Restaurant
    Clip 1:54
    How Do You Know: Meet At Restaurant
    How Do You Know: Run From Bad News
    Clip 0:52
    How Do You Know: Run From Bad News
    How Do You Know: Do Not Rock The Boat Extended
    Clip 1:08
    How Do You Know: Do Not Rock The Boat Extended
    How Do You Know
    Promo 0:32
    How Do You Know

    Photos92

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    + 86
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Reese Witherspoon
    Reese Witherspoon
    • Lisa
    Paul Rudd
    Paul Rudd
    • George
    Owen Wilson
    Owen Wilson
    • Matty
    Jack Nicholson
    Jack Nicholson
    • Charles
    Kathryn Hahn
    Kathryn Hahn
    • Annie
    Mark Linn-Baker
    Mark Linn-Baker
    • Ron
    Lenny Venito
    Lenny Venito
    • Al
    Molly Price
    Molly Price
    • Coach Sally
    Ron McLarty
    Ron McLarty
    • George's Lawyer
    Shelley Conn
    Shelley Conn
    • Terry
    Domenick Lombardozzi
    Domenick Lombardozzi
    • Bullpen Pitcher
    John Tormey
    John Tormey
    • Doorman
    Teyonah Parris
    Teyonah Parris
    • Riva
    Tony Shalhoub
    Tony Shalhoub
    • Psychiatrist
    Dean Norris
    Dean Norris
    • Softball Coach
    Donna Dundon
    • Annie's Mom
    Cyrus Newitt
    Cyrus Newitt
    • Annie's Dad
    Will Blagrove
    Will Blagrove
    • Matty's Teammate
    • Director
      • James L. Brooks
    • Writer
      • James L. Brooks
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews373

    5.456.2K
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    Featured reviews

    5cardsrock

    A baffling waste of talent

    This film has an all-star cast... and not much else. The story meanders around and never really goes anywhere interesting. This was particularly disappointing coming from the writer/director behind As Good as It Gets, one of the best romantic comedies of the past few decades. This film cost a shocking $120 million and made very little at the box office, hence becoming one of the biggest bombs of all time. I only checked it out because it was getting popular on Netflix, I somewhat regret my decision. Just as Jack Nicholson likely regrets having this, as of 2020, be his final film.
    7xcharxcharx

    Underrated

    From looking at the casting, you would immediately think this to be a romantic comedy, and I guess that's where it starts going wrong.. from people going in to see this movie, expecting a chick flick and being disappointed.

    I believe the reason for the poor reviews of this movie are due to the fact that is has been advertised and delivered as a romantic comedy.

    True, it is fit for the romance genre, comedy.. not so much. But as far as romantic drama's go, this is an excellent picture for the modernized crowd.

    That's because it is so much more. It is ideal for viewing of a well- intended inspiring somewhat-romantic movie. Humour is few and far between for a comedy-seeking crowd, however for those who connect to the characters, the humour is purely intended for those devised from caring for the characters.

    Reese Witherspoon has perfected the role of Lisa, this is the movie that I would beg girlfriends to watch, due to her total delivery of the character throughout the entire picture, which is something most girls and women can relate to (whether they've reached that hurdle yet or not).

    Which is where I feel the script originated from, life lessons. The script of the movie is all relatable in one aspect or other. It's moving to view a capture of these 'life lessons' within a movie, and I think if a movie can deliver that, then they have succeeded in making a good movie. Although the writing could have been sharper, better presented and wittier, it was decent enough for one to be indulged in the plot.

    Paul Rudd, I thought, was a fantastic casting. Again, writing could of been better for a few of his lines where comedy was intended and some of his reactions.. but still I found him to be excellent and I enjoyed watching him.

    Nice to see Jack Nicholson again, (huge fan of One flew over the cuckoo's nest!), his part was suitable if not a little long winded. I felt (again) wittier writing would have improved his character and performance hugely, however he delivered his part.

    And Luke Wilson.. okay so we all know what kind of movie's he's known for now, and fair enough, he was a good casting for the part. My only itch is I'd like to see him doing more roles similar to Hutch, ala Starsky&, dry detective types.

    Moving on, as said above, this is not a movie to make you lol or rofl, merely a movie to be enjoyed from watching these character's journey of self-revelation's throughout.
    tapavko

    Nice and unusual for big Hollywood movie

    I can't believe the low rating of this movie. I guess it's because it does not give you usual polished Hollywood story of romance: boy meets girl, girl has a boyfriend/fiancé who at first seems perfect but then turns out to be douche bag and/or evil and there steps in this new perfect guy, they kiss and live happily ever after, the end.

    Here, both guys trying to get the girl are screwed up in some way or another. Boyfriend (Owen Wilson) is not a bad guy. He is not too sensitive, he sleeps around, but the point is he doesn't try to hide it. He is honest about himself. And throughout the relationship he tries to better himself and the relationship with his girlfriend (Reese Witherspoon). On the other hand the "new guy" (Paul Rudd) is depressed, has no job or money and is facing prison time. And at the beginning the girl he's chasing considers him weird. His slime-ball/businessman father (Jack Nicholson) I think just adds likability to Rudds character.

    Also, what I like is there is no perfect ending. There is sort of a feel-good ending but it's not perfect. Although, for that you'll have to see the movie.
    4ctinsureme-96940

    Why isn't this good??

    It's almost unfathomable that this movie stinks...but it does, sadly. Confused characters bumbling through scenes, awful development of backstory, no chemistry, hardly any laughs and just a mishmash of WTF-ery :(
    4CherryMarie9

    Wtf am I watching? But I can't stop

    I'm currently watching this film and honestly, it's so bizarre. These are all incredible actors but in this film... I just don't know what is happening. However, I cannot stop watching it. I just need to understand what the hell is going on and what the aim is. The dialogue between characters are all over the place, not sure if it's supposed to be humourous or not either way I'm not laughing but then again... I am because it's such a ridiculous film lol. Even this review sounds so scrambled because of what this film is doing lol.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      One of the lesser known "big box-office bombs of all time"; the budget spiraled up to $120 million due to high salary demands of its principal cast and director (around $50 million), a lengthy production, as well as a costly re-shoot for the beginning and the ending. Coupled with marketing costs, the movie lost an estimated $105 million.
    • Goofs
      After their first night together, Lisa is seen wearing a red camisole that has straps showing after putting on her red dress from the night before. The straps didn't show during their date and after she got home.
    • Quotes

      Lisa: Never drink to feel better; only drink to feel even better.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.58 (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      What Is It This Time?
      Written by Jamie Lidell (as Jamie Lidderdale) and Mocky (as Dominic Salole)

      Performed by Jamie Lidell

      Courtesy of Warp Records

      By Arrangement with Zync Music

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    FAQ19

    • How long is How Do You Know?Powered by Alexa
    • What does the title mean?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 17, 2010 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Pictures
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • ¿Cómo saber si es amor?
    • Filming locations
      • DuPont Circle, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Gracie Films
      • Road Rebel
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $120,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $30,212,620
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,484,696
      • Dec 19, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $48,668,907
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 1 minute
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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