Movie Analysis-Expectancy Violation Theory

Movie Analysis: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

On the Plot:

Many critics say that in any romantic comedy movie, the ending is your usual happy ever after. This is not a matter of debate since most of these romantic comedy movies are also feel-good movies. Even in the first look of the title of the movie (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), one can expect a rather humorous with a wacky but almost predictable ending. The story is too Hollywood. This means that the story of the movie is something like it's most likely not to happen in real life. Not that it is really impossible but because of the reasons of the two people (Andie Anderson and Benjamin Barry ) in "falling in love" were very superficial. However even if the movie is kind of draggy, it still worked in giving the viewers that feel-good feeling after watching the film.

On the Acting:

Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey were really a great tandem. Both of them were as convincing as what their roles really played. Kate Hudson made the movie funny because of her wit as Andie who is a sexy and cool chick but at the same time very emotional and quirky woman--being all of these to change the mind of Benjamin. On the other hand, Benjamin or Matthew McConaughey played a role of an ambitious advertising employee acting as a very passionate, gentle and understanding man to Andie, just to let the later fall even harder for him. The two were a fantastic team, not to mention very persuasive.

On the Movie and the Expectancy Violation Theory:

It is quite odd between two people who had just known each other for the first time to be very close and intimate with each other. This was clearly shown in the movie, when Andie and Ben met for the first time. Their act was something not usual to the Filipinos. Proxemics might have a chance to justify this. Since proxemics refer to people's use of their own personal space as a special elaboration of culture, this may explain why many Filipinos might react upon seeing the scene where Andie and Ben met for the first time. Americans and Filipinos have really big culture difference. What was depicted in the movie might be alright for many Americans and may but be for many Filipinos. The role of culture is very vital in proxemics.

What the characters have was a 10-day relationship. It was something very fast for some but something usual for some. Again this context begins with cultural norm.

Also the relationship of the two must be considered. Since what they have is a romantic relationship, it is then expected that they will be very intimate and close to each other.

However there is something we consider on a specific behavior done to us by the person we are communicating with, this is what we call violation valence. This could be negative or positive regardless of who's doing the behavior. Just like the scene when Ben fought with a huge guy in a cinema, after the jaw breaking experience, and when Andie came to him to help him get he touched the woman's breasts by his head. The violation valence Andie placed on that action or behavior was not negative. This might be because of the kind of relationship they have. However, this act of Ben might not be alright with other women.


The Expectancy Violation Theory as related to the movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, would be something subjective. It depends on people involved in the communication. Also, it does not only depend on the people involved but also in the context where they are moving and the culture they have been used to.