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Up until the excruciatingly awful climax, the film is fantastic. Hawn--oops, I mean: Hudson and McConaughey are sharp, funny and a joy to watch, especially as the chemistry clicks into gear. The whole cast is so perky that it almost hurts, but at least they keep smiles on our faces. There are laugh-out-loud jokes from start to finish (my favourite involves Celine Dion). This is inspired comedy and real emotion that come from the characters and fit neatly into the story (this is a big advantage over most current comedies!). And Petrie keeps things moving with a slick, honey-glazed production and genuine attention to the plot, even when it shifts into a brainless romance at the end. Perhaps that shift is all the more jarring because it undermines the intelligent, tightly wound stuff that went before. Is this a test-audience re-edit, perhaps? Whatever, it makes you wish someone could figure out a new way to end these kinds of movies. Because this exact same ending is getting really boring.