Seven Girlfriends (2000)

With so many romantic comedies revolving around eternally adolescent men with self-centered philosophies and terminal commitment problems, it's kind of nice to see one of them take stock of himself. Tim Daly, a chef with unconventional methods (try his dishwasher fish), embarks on a quest through past loves with sincere questions about why things didn't work out. Boyish Daly is charming as the rogue romantic, and his tour through broken affairs gives some fine actresses comic-showcase scenes--Jamie Gertz, Laura Leighton, Elizabeth Peña, Mimi Rogers, and Katy Selverstone among them. Olivia d'Abo is his current flame, a would-be psychic restaurateur who sets out after him, and Melora Hardin is an old gal pal who just may be his best chance at a fresh start. This isn't quite the High Fidelity thing--Daly's quest is a well-meaning attempt at personal growth, not a sour tour of self-justification--but then this is hardly as ambitious or revealing. He doesn't learn anything that a little serious self-examination would reveal just as well, but that's beside the point. It's a warm and winning little comedy about growing up, letting go, and opening up, with deftly played comedy and generous performances. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

Seven Girlfriends for One Guy

Okay,the title doesn't have the ring of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."

Tim Daly plays Jesse,the Chef Who Can't Commit.As his character has problems with commitment,so does the director with the tone of the movie.Is it drama?Is it romantic comedy?Is it supposed to be funny?To complicate matters,there are dream sequences,such as when his ex-girlfriend who died in a car crash comes alive at her funeral.There's a love scene within an inflating hot-air balloon(???)There are incriminating photographs that fall from a ceiling,and eventually land in pudding&among mourners.There's an endless drive with the insomniac heroine.There's even a scene when Jesse meets up with a lesbian ex-girlfriend.The hero's "self-discovery" isn't exactly convincing since the director doesn't seem to know what genre to use.

This belongs in a cheesy film festival,not ranked with "High Fidelity."It doesn't take itself seriously;neither should you. July 24, 2006

tears from laughs over 7 girlfreinds

this movie is a wickedly funnie movie, just as you thought it couldent get any more amsuing, something else grasps your attention in a pleasant twist.BUY THIS MOVIE October 18, 2004

First introspection, then transcendance

Tim Daly's understated, warm, charming, womanizing veneer shines through in this richly entertaining indie. Paul Lazarus, director of many memorable "Friends" and "Mad About You" episodes, tackles his first feature film here, yet it never really feels like a TV movie. Although his tearful outburst on Mimi Rogers' doorstep was a bit painful to watch, few of Daly's acting limitations come to the surface in "Seven Girlfriends," partly because it's the perfect role for him. But, the real stars are the women he "revisits" on his path of self-discovery. First stop is his first girlfriend, played by Rogers, and all things are not as they first appear. As the uncomfortable discussion unfolds, you really begin to feel for the characters and the movie hooks you. I am a huge fan of "High Fidelity" and comparisons seem almost inevitable, but this film is not the same. It is far from acerbic, but far from sweet, too. My guess is that more guys can relate to Daly's understated charmer than to John Cusack's brooding slacker. Though "Girlfriends" is hardly brilliant like "Fidelity," it's still a nicely told little tale of soul-searching. While the story almost begs to be nothing more than a nonstop collection of cliches, the skillful dialogue and actors keep that from happening. I think that's what I like most about "Seven Girlfriends" - during my entire first viewing, I kept thinking I shouldn't like this movie, since it's not exactly loaded with original ideas, yet everything is executed here with a realistic, understated elegance that I just didn't expect. I'd call it a "guilty pleasure," but it deserves to be more. NOTE TO MOVIE BUFFS: The DVD has some interesting commentary by Daly and Lazarus that brings to light many interesting problems in making a low-budget movie. January 20, 2004

Excellent movie!

I first saw Seven Girlfriends on HBO late at night while on a business trip - then rented it to watch with my wife as soon as I got home. Even better the 2nd time. A very funny yet insightful movie about relationships and why they work and why they don't.

The coolest thing was - about 1/2 through the movie, Melora Hardin and Tim Daly sit down at the piano and Melora plays and sings - no unseen strings or flutes or harps in the background - just Melora, the piano, and her wonderful voice. Absolutely a top-10 of all time scene in a movie - dynamite. February 6, 2002

One of the best "Who am I?" movies to come out in a while.

We all know the drill. Person reaches time in his lifer where he must ponder on what goes wrong with his relations. That is where the commonality with other such movies stops. There are full rounded personalities and nothing weird with the exception of his imagination. The seven-girlfriend thing allows for different scenarios of which is relived in retrospect.

Each actor does not overwhelm the part with his or her personality. Yet their style is still recognizable. This adds another diminution to the movie. You do not see Elizabeth Peña much lately.

Going throughout the process is fun to watch and we may learn a little something ourselves. We may also learn a little bit about the object/s of his affection. August 1, 2001

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