With an all-star cast that includes notable names like Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, and Scarlett Johansson, the film He’s Just Not That Into You could only go one of two ways: it could be an complete flop, or it could shoot to instant stardom. Fortunately for the actors’ reputations, He’s Just Not That Into You is an instant hit.

Featuring several different love stories, the film ties all the characters together in a seamless tale about the harsh realities of giving your heart to another. Though similar in style to Love Actually, the film features unique dialogue, is hilarious in unexpected ways, and comes uncomfortably close to portraying real-life romances.

He’s Just Not That Into You poses the question: are you the exception or are you the rule when it comes to dating? Are you the woman who thinks that when a man doesn’t call he simply lost your number, when he really has not intention of contacting you? Do you think, when he misses your date, that it was because of a flat tire or some such incident, when he really ditched you to watch football with the guys? When he says “It’s not you, it’s me” you believe him? If so, then you are the rule.

Every woman, or so the film claims, believes that she is that one special exception to the rule. This leads women to constantly dissect, analyze, and otherwise obsess over every little word and action of her dates.

The movie opens with Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) on a blind date with Conor (Kevin Connolly). The two go through the basic steps of a first date, with an awkward kiss on the cheeks at the end of the night and a promise to call each other. Walking away, Gigi instantly calls up her friend, Janine (Jennifer Connelly), to tell her what a success the date was. Meanwhile, Conor picks up his cell phone to make a call as well: to his ex girlfriend. It becomes clear that Conor still holds a flame for Anna (Scarlett Johansson).

The next scene opens with Gigi and Janine at work. Gigi recounts her date with Conor, and the two women dissect the entire episode, looking for clues to tell whether he likes Gigi or not. It’s been several days and he still hasn’t called, but Gigi is convinced Conor is interested. Janine assures her that there must be some reason why Conor hasn’t called back yet. Neither say the obvious: that Conor is just not that into her.

This scenario sets the stage for He’s Just Not That Into You. Gigi exemplifies the “rule,” as she constantly excuses Conor’s behavior, contributing it to everything but the simple fact that Conor does not want to date her. She continues to pursue Conor until running into Alex, who bluntly explains to Gigi that if a guy wants it to happen “he will make it happen.”

The clash between Gigi’s naive optimism about love and Alex’s cynical, down-to-earth view create several hilarious scenes between the duo. Towards the end of the movie, their roles are switched, when Alex realizes he is hopelessly in love with Gigi. He starts calling her at odd hours and hanging up, letting thoughts of her mess with his work, and even resorting to driving by her apartment.

Outside of the Alex-Gigi circle, their friends are also dealing with love conflicts. Gigi’s best friend, Janine (Jennifer Connelly) discovers that her husband, Ben (Bradley Cooper), is having an affair with Conor’s Anna. Janine blames herself as the cause, citing that she is just not young enough, exciting enough, sexy enough to keep Ben. The love triangle continues until Janine finally gets the courage to divorce Ben and move on with her life.

“I love how Janine picks herself up at the end, and moves on with her life. Yes, she has lost her husband-the jerk-but she has gained something: a return of her self-esteem, her self-worth,” comments Claire Coker, Senior at West High. “I really admire that she was able to keep going. Oh, and that she had the guts to get rid of that good-for-nothing husband!”

He’s Just Not That Into You has a phenomenal script filled with funny insights into life. In one scene, Mary (Drew Barrymore), Anna’s advertising friend, laments about the old days of simple land lines. “I had this guy leave me a voicemail at work, so I left him a message at home. Then he emailed me to my blackberry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to be rejected by seven different technologies. It’s exhausting.”

All the scenarios are stereotypical situations including the man who feels trapped in his marriage, the wife who blames herself when things fall apart, the woman who needs a white wedding, the girl who obsessively stalks potential dates, and the mistress who holds on to the hope that her man will leave his wife for her. It is a credit to the actors that they brought life and humor to such cliche roles. The audience can connect with every character’s story, with every heart break, and with every make-up.

“I totally connected with Gigi!” giggles Mia Nassios, freshman at UT. “I mean, I use Facebook all the time. I know lots of people who look at profiles before deciding to date someone. I also know a lot of Facebook stalking happens too.”

A phenomenal tale of loss, love, and finding the one, He’s Just Not That Into You is sure to entertain. It touches on common experiences everyone can relate to, yet manages to bring a fresh humor to the scenarios. One leaves the theater with a strong, happy feeling inside. Yes, love is tough. It takes work and lots of it. Nothing will ever be perfect, and relationships require a lot of give and take, but at the end of the day, it’s the one who stands beside you that makes everything worth it.