Why did critics despise The Ugly Truth while audiences flocked to the theaters?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2009 romantic comedy The Ugly Truth was a critical disaster, yet it became a massive commercial success. While reviewers panned its reliance on tired genre formulas, audiences awarded it an A- grade. This disconnect highlights a fascinating divide between professional film criticism and the tastes of the general public.

Directed by Robert Luketic and starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, The Ugly Truth follows a cynical television presenter and a naive producer forced to collaborate on a morning show segment. The script, which spent roughly a decade in development, centers on the clash between Heigl’s character, who believes in true love, and Butler’s character, who views relationships through a lens of chauvinistic cynicism. To prepare for his role, Butler reportedly observed Adam Carolla, whose persona allegedly inspired the character of Mike Chadway.

Upon its July 2009 release, the film faced a barrage of negative reviews. Rotten Tomatoes assigned it a 14% score, with critics arguing that the film suffered from a weak script and lacked charm. Prominent reviewers like Peter Travers of Rolling Stone dismissed it as garbage, while others unfavorably compared its comedic attempts to classics like When Harry Met Sally. Even the portrayal of the television industry was mocked, with Roger Ebert quipping that the film made the satire Anchorman look like a documentary.

Despite this critical drubbing, the film was a financial triumph, grossing over $205 million worldwide against a $38 million budget. Audiences clearly felt differently than the critics, as evidenced by the A- grade from CinemaScore. Some reviewers, such as Kara Nesvig of the Star Tribune, defended the film, noting that the chemistry between the leads and the snappy dialogue elevated the material beyond its predictable clichés. Ultimately, the film serves as a prime example of the often-wide chasm between professional critical consensus and popular entertainment appeal.

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