Based on Laura Zigman's book Animal Husbandry, Animal Attraction was called Someone Like You in the US. How's that for confusing? Starring Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear and Hugh Jackman, it's the story of Jane, a producer for a daytime talk show who, after the sudden end of a relationship (with fellow producer Ray) comes up with the Old Cow/New Cow Theory based on an article about livestock she reads in the paper: whenever a man is in a relationship he starts to see the woman as an old cow and goes looking for a new cow to, um, service, never to return to the old cow.
Having really enjoyed Animal Husbandry, I must admit I didn't have particularly high hopes for this film, but it's actually very sweet; it reminded me of an extended Sex and the City. Ashley Judd is great, her best friend, played by Marisa Tomei is hilarious, Greg Kinnear is convincing both as a sweet-talking charmer and as a sleaze and Hugh Jackman .. well, Hugh Jackman is a revelation. I finally realised what all those Wolverine-obsessed friends of mine have been going on about all these years.
Despite the cliched ending - why do all chick flicks have to end with a chase? - it's a really enjoyable film (but, seriously, it's worth watching just to see Hugh Jackman shirtless).
