Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey play lovers with ulterior motives in this 2003 romantic comedy.  Bebe Neuwirth and Robert Klein are their respective bosses.

 

Hudson is Andie Anderson, a serious journalist who's paying her dues by writing a "how to" column for a fashion magazine.  Inspired by a romantically challenged co-worker, she agrees to devote her next column to showing women the sure-fire ways to drive away a potential suitor.

 

McConaughey is Benjamin Barry, an ad man whose niche is coming up with campaigns for manly products.  But, the big money is in diamonds.  Ben's boss says he can have a shot at the account if he can get a woman to fall in love with him in 10 days.  Two of Ben's co-workers, who also want the diamond account, know what Andie is up to, and they kindly point Ben in her direction.

 

The middle of the movie is taken up with Andie doing everything she can to make Ben crazy.  At a basketball playoff game, she asks him to get her a drink with only seconds to go in a game; she buys him a plant; she interrupts his poker night with the guys; she takes him to a Celine Dion concert.  Ben puts up with it all because he wants the diamond account - and because he really likes Andie.  She's also falling for Ben, especially after a trip home to meet his family.

 

Overall review:  **  Add half a star to that.  Hudson and McConaughey are easy to watch.  And, the movie is entertaining up until the last 20 minutes or so.  That's when Andie and Ben have the obligatory break-up followed by the obligatory make-up.  But, up to that point, the film is laugh-out-loud funny in spots as Andie pulls out all the stops to drive Ben away.