Les surprises de la vie

It's not a terrible movie but it has significant problems. Firstly, the interjected flashback scenes and the caricature scenes distract from the film's central message which is presented in a jarring way. Upon viewing this film for the first time, I found it challenging to follow the plot. I understand this film closely related to John Hughes' life and that he wanted to present it in an artistic way but there were more misses than hits in its execution.

But there are some scenes that are well done. I like the club scene and the music used as well as its artistic presentation when it shows back-and-forth (lone) images of Jake and the mystery woman who is trying to lure him to cheat. I also like the wedding scene as well as the scene where Jake and Kristy are sitting with Davis (Alec Baldwin) who has visited Chicago with his mistress and they're sitting in the Briggs house.

I'm a big John Hughes fan and enjoy most of his films that he has directed and produced (and wrote) but this isn't his best work. Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern deliver good acting performances but they don't have a high level of chemistry between them and that also holds the film back.

I liked the concept and saw what Hughes was trying to achieve but it didn't quite connect for me with this film.