“How to Be Single” wants to be a warm, messy look at New York City singledom, and it mostly succeeds at being messy. This 2016 romantic comedy from director Christian Ditter follows six singles — Alice, Robin, Lucy, Meg, Tom and David — as they navigate relationships, breakups and the search for love in a city full of lonely hearts.
The film is based on Liz Tuccillo’s novel of the same name. It stars Dakota Johnson as Alice Kepley, Rebel Wilson as Robin, Leslie Mann as Meg, Alison Brie as Lucy, Damon Wayans Jr. as David, Anders Holm as Tom, Nicholas Braun as Josh, Jake Lacy as Ken, Jason Mantzoukas as George and Colin Jost as Paul. It was released by Warner Bros. Pictures on February 12, 2016, and grossed $112 million worldwide.
Trailer, via Warner Bros..
Alice’s Move to New York
Alice leaves her college boyfriend Josh to become a paralegal in New York City, living with her sister Meg. Meg is an OB/GYN who has no interest in having a baby or being in a relationship. Alice befriends Robin, a wild Australian co-worker who enjoys partying and one-night stands, and Tom, a bartender who hooks up with several women, including Alice.
Meg’s Change of Heart
Meg watches over a baby and decides to have a child of her own via a sperm donor. She becomes pregnant and then unexpectedly hooks up with Ken, a younger man she meets at Alice’s office Christmas party. Ken is smitten with her, but Meg hides the pregnancy because she thinks he is too young for a future together.
Lucy’s Dating Struggles
Lucy, who has online dating down to a science, meets Tom at his bar when she uses his Internet for free. She is looking for “the one” and explains she is using various dating sites. After a string of terrible dates, Lucy realizes she has feelings for Tom.
Alice’s Networking Event
Alice attends a networking event and hits it off with David. Later, at Josh’s holiday party, Alice finds she cannot watch Josh with his new girlfriend. She runs into David, who shows her a private view of something that changes her mind about the evening.
The Bookstore Scene
Lucy has been in a relationship with Paul for three weeks. Paul reveals he has been seeing other people, thinking Lucy was doing the same, and breaks up with her. Lucy breaks down at her volunteer job reading to children at a bookstore. George, who works there, soothes her, and they begin a relationship.
A Mixed Bag
The film’s strengths lie in its ensemble cast and its willingness to show characters failing openly. The humor leans on physical comedy and awkward social situations, with Wilson delivering some of the funniest lines as Robin. Mann brings a sharp wit to Meg, and Brie plays Lucy with genuine vulnerability.
The film stumbles when it tries to juggle too many storylines. Six main characters mean each gets less screen time than they deserve, and some subplots feel rushed or abandoned mid-scene. The romance between Alice and David, for instance, gets less development than the Meg-Ken storyline, even though Alice is the lead.
Comparing the Storylines
| Character | Goal | Conflict |
|---|---|---|
| Alice | Reconcile with Josh | Josh has a new girlfriend |
| Meg | Have a baby | Ken pursues her despite age difference |
| Lucy | Find “the one” | Terrible dates, Paul’s betrayal |
| Tom | Hook up casually | Falls for Lucy |
The film’s tagline promises a party, but the movie spends more time on loneliness than celebration. That is not necessarily a bad thing. The best scenes are the quiet ones, where characters admit they are scared or uncertain.
Final Verdict
“How to Be Single” is a competent, uneven comedy with a strong cast and a sincere heart. It handles singledom with more honesty than most films dare, even when the execution falters. The film earns its mixed reputation.
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