As someone who loves romantic comedies, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” shows humor, physical comedy, and heart through extreme romantic situations. The bet made early on in the film sets the tone for the craziness waiting to unfold.

Loosely based on the book of the same title by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” came out in 2003 and made approximately $105.8 million at the North American box office on a production budget of $50 million.

The rom-com stars Kate Hudson as Andie Anderson, a writer at Composure Magazine who longs to write more serious pieces, and Matthew McConaughey as Benjamin Berry, an advertising executive who wants the pitch for a diamond company that would change everything for the sports advertiser.

The movie starts with Andie defending her recently broken-up friend by taking on the challenge of getting and driving a guy away in 10 days. She plans to use the mistakes that most girls make when getting into a relationship.

At the same time, Ben takes on a challenge of his own.

While at a dinner about the pitch, Ben’s boss and the advertising girls (Ben’s competitors/coworkers), who also want the pitch for themselves, make a deal with Ben that if he can make a girl they choose fall in love with him in 10 days than he can have the pitch. They pick Andie as the girl Ben has to fall in love with, helping both of the boss and the advertising girls because they have opposing goals.

Andie and Ben end up leaving the bar together on his motorcycle and going to his apartment, where they share a beer and get caught up in each other before deciding to take things slow.

The night ends with Andie leaving as Ben watches from the fire escape and says, “Oh, you are already falling in love with me,” to himself, and she says, “I’m going to make you wish you were dead…poor guy,” and blows a kiss before leaving.

The next day, Ben confides in his friends about how easy the next 9 days will be, but little does he know what Andie has in store for him.

From a photo shopped scrapbook of the kids they do not have, a love fern for him to grow, an ugly dog and matching shirts, to crazy and obsessive behavior. Andie gives Ben more than enough personalities for him to be driven away from her.

After many hilariously enjoyable interactions and encounters between the two, Andie and Ben end up at Ben’s parents’ home.

This is a huge turning point in the film as we get to see the most authentic and comfortable interactions between the couple yet. Andie acts like herself around his family, even joining in on a family card game of “Bullshit,” where she feels like part of the family, affecting her deeply.

Andie and Ben share a steamy shower together after the heart-opening day spent at his family’s home, and they feel more real to each other than they have yet because it is the real Andie shining through.

Another little detail I love about this interaction the two is how we see a physical change in Andie. Andie usually wears her hair straight, but suddenly her hair has its natural curls, which shows the raw, realness of the feelings that are blossoming.

Once Andie and Ben get back to the city, we get to see the development between them as a couple and as individuals in the relationship. He actually calls her his girlfriend and tells her not to make plans for day 13, as he bought tickets for a Knicks game for them.

We see Ben go out of his way to make it known how he feels about her and what he wants from their relationship, which is something real regardless of the bets made.

Andie and Ben finally end up at the diamond party, where they both end up finding out about the bets and walking away from each other. Hurt and misunderstanding overpower the love that has started to grow for each other.

Andie decided to change the column into her regret for losing the only guy she has ever fallen for, and she leaves for an interview in Washington so she can finally write about the things she wants to and to get away from losing Ben.

After reading the article, Ben chases her cab, getting her to pull over and asks if everything she wrote was true. She says she meant every word and still tries to leave. He claims she is running away and calls “bullshit.”

Again, we see Andie’s curls for the second time in the film, showcasing the realness of her character at this point in the story.

The movie ends with Andie and Ben sharing a kiss and choosing to be together for real this time.

The movie’s storyline is humorous and sweet, and the cinematography of the film is so warm and colorful throughout the film that you feel the emotions illuminating off the screen. Not only is the cinematography amazing, but the music chosen for the film fits the early 2000s vibe perfectly.

The use of Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You” captures the satisfying and earned ending of the film beautifully. Showing the heart and depth behind all the humor and witty dialogue.

It shows viewers that love can be about letting go of past mistakes and perceptions and starting anew and more real than before.

Needless to say, this film is full of humor, extreme situations, natural but witty dialogue, and most of all, heart. This is why it ranks third on my list of favorite romantic comedies of all time.