Why a romantic comedy about betrayal became a box office success despite critical failure
In short: Released in 2011, Something Borrowed follows a lawyer who begins an affair with her best friend's fiancé. While critics panned the film as an unpleasant misfire, it managed to turn a profit. Explore the complex dynamics of this polarizing romantic comedy and the status of its rumored sequel.
Directed by Luke Greenfield and based on Emily Giffin’s 2005 novel, the film centers on Rachel, a New York attorney who finds herself entangled with Dex, the man engaged to her free-spirited best friend, Darcy. The narrative explores the fallout of their secret intimacy, which begins after a drunken night following Rachel’s 30th birthday party. As the wedding approaches, the tension between Rachel’s desire for happiness and her loyalty to Darcy creates a series of moral dilemmas, complicated further by the interference of their mutual friend, Ethan.
The film’s reception was notably stark. Critics were largely unimpressed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 15% approval rating from 117 reviewers, who described it as a misfire. Metacritic echoed this sentiment, assigning a weighted average score of 36 out of 100. Despite these unfavorable reviews, the film resonated with some viewers, earning a 'B' grade from CinemaScore audiences. It ultimately grossed $60.1 million worldwide against a $35 million budget, proving that critical consensus does not always dictate commercial performance.
The story’s conclusion sees the central conflict resolved when Darcy reveals her own infidelity and pregnancy, leading to a permanent rift between the two friends. While the film ends with Rachel and Dex together, the narrative has long been rumored to continue. Emily Giffin confirmed in 2014 that she had written a script for a sequel based on her novel Something Blue. Although Giffin provided updates as late as 2017, no production companies have issued official statements, leaving the future of the franchise in limbo.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Something Borrowed (film)
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