After finishing university, Alice (Johnson) asks her first boyfriend Josh (Braun) for a break so they can experience being unattached. Then at her New York law firm, she's introduced to the single life by colleague Robin (Wilson). Alice's sister Meg (Mann) is a maternity doctor who feels her biological clock ticking, so decides to use a sperm bank to get pregnant. She then meets the charming young Ken (Lacy), who doesn't let the age-gap put him off. Meanwhile, neighbour Lucy (Brie) is flirting with local barman Tom (Holm) as she looks for her perfect man.

With the Manhattan setting, there's a strong Sex and the City vibe here, with its frank, girly conversations and the focus on relationships. These are feisty, independent women who don't need a man to define them, but would like to have one around. Without being revolutionary, the movie knowingly explores what it takes to be happily single in a society in which coupling up is the stated goal. And it also comments on just about every aspect of seeking and maintaining a partner.

Johnson, Brie and Mann all give nicely grounded performances that play on the inner turmoil of women who think they know what they want, then struggle to adapt to what life throws at them instead. Wilson essentially plays her Pitch Perfect character, offering a steady stream of riotous comic relief interrupted by the odd moment of self-reflection. Meanwhile, the men are charming and likeable, each with his own intriguing edge that seems headed for the usual rom-com climax.

Thankfully, the script avoids the expected trajectory with most of its plot-threads, opting for more realistic, interesting depictions of life's twists and turns. And while things continually threaten to break out in full-on sentimental sludge, the actors and filmmakers manage to stop just short of overload. Having four characters, who each take a distinct journey through the topic, means that the film never quite says anything very notable, mainly because it's trying to say everything at once. But it's a well-made comedy that keeps the audience laughing and sighing.

themes, language, innuendo

4.Feb..16