How to Be Single Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman breaks up with her boyfriend to ‘find herself’ in NYC, only to realize finding yourself mostly involves awkward dates and overpriced cocktails.

🍿 How to Be Single: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Alice’s Breakup and Move to New York

Alice, a recent college graduate, decides to take a break from her long-term boyfriend, Josh, to experience single life before starting her career. She moves to New York City to work as a paralegal. This decision leaves Josh heartbroken but sets Alice on a path of self-discovery in a new environment. In New York, Alice moves in with her older sister, Meg, an OB/GYN focused on her career and resistant to the idea of having a family herself. Alice’s new life contrasts sharply with her previous relationship-focused existence.

Embracing Single Life with Robin

At her new job, Alice befriends Robin, a free-spirited and party-loving colleague. Robin introduces Alice to the world of one-night stands, casual dating, and embracing the single lifestyle to the fullest. Robin acts as Alice’s guide, showing her the ropes of navigating the New York City dating scene. Alice struggles to balance her desire for independence with her lingering feelings for Josh and her past relationship experiences.

Navigating Relationships and Self-Discovery

The film explores the interconnected lives of several women in New York City, each with different perspectives on love, relationships, and single life. Meg grapples with her desire to have a child and explores the possibility of single motherhood, while also forming a connection with a younger man. Lucy, a woman obsessed with finding ‘the one,’ uses online dating and algorithms to find her perfect match. As Alice navigates her single life, she forms relationships with different men, including a bartender named Tom and a divorced father named David, each offering her different perspectives on love and commitment.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alice (Dakota Johnson): A young woman who moves to New York City after ending her college relationship to discover herself and learn how to be single.
• Robin (Rebel Wilson): Alice’s wild and free-spirited co-worker who embraces partying and one-night stands to navigate single life.
• Meg (Leslie Mann): Alice’s older sister, an OB/GYN who initially rejects relationships and motherhood but later decides to have a baby on her own.
• Lucy (Alison Brie): A woman who frequents Tom’s bar and uses online dating algorithms in her persistent search for ‘The One’.
• Tom (Anders Holm): A bartender who embraces the bachelor lifestyle and has casual hookups, but develops feelings for Lucy.
• David (Damon Wayans Jr.): A single father who enters a relationship with Alice, highlighting the challenges of blending single life with parenthood.
• Josh (Nicholas Braun): Alice’s college boyfriend who she breaks up with initially, leaving him heartbroken and eventually moving on.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alice: “I’ve been thinking that the time we have to be single, is really the time we have to get good at being alone.” – Alice reflects on the importance of self-discovery during her single period.
• Alice: “Isn’t there a danger that you’ll get so good at being single, so set in your ways, that you’ll miss out on the chance to be with somebody great?” – Alice questions whether being too independent can hinder finding love.
• Robin: “Being single is about partying till you can’t remember what you did, so you can’t regret it.” – Robin encapsulates her carefree, hedonistic approach to single life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $38,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $46,843,513
• Worldwide Gross: $112,543,513

💥 How to Be Single Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a light, fun rom-com, and while it had its moments, it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Rebel Wilson was hilarious, as always, but the storyline felt a bit disjointed. I did enjoy the ending, though – it was refreshing to see a rom-com that didn’t necessarily end with everyone paired up. The scene where Alice goes hiking in the Grand Canyon really stuck with me; it was a powerful image of self-discovery and independence.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about self-discovery”
  • “People who enjoy movies set in New York City”
  • “Fans of Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, and Leslie Mann”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Language”
  • “Alcohol use”
  • “Suggestive themes”

Professional Reviews

• Entertainment Weekly: “While Rebel Wilson delivers reliable laughs, the film’s scattered plot and mixed messages about singledom leave you feeling more confused than empowered. Dakota Johnson’s performance lacks the charm needed to anchor this rom-com.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Though occasionally funny, ‘How to Be Single’ relies too heavily on clichés and predictable scenarios. Alison Brie’s subplot feels particularly disconnected, making the film feel like a collection of loosely related sketches rather than a cohesive story.
• Rolling Stone: “Rebel Wilson steals every scene she’s in, but even her comedic brilliance can’t save this film from its weak script and muddled message about the joys of singledom. Dakota Johnson struggles to find the humor in her character’s journey.

Audience Reactions

Rebel Wilson’s comedic performance was a definite highlight!: Most viewers found Rebel Wilson’s portrayal of Robin to be the funniest and most memorable aspect of the film.

The film offered a refreshingly realistic take on modern dating.: Many appreciated the movie’s attempt to portray the complexities and challenges of being single in a relatable way.

Overall Consensus: While containing funny moments and relatable themes, ‘How to Be Single’ suffers from a scattered plot and inconsistent message, leading to a mixed reception from critics and audiences.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is loosely based on the novel of the same name by Liz Tuccillo, but differs significantly from its source novel. The novel centers around Julie Jenson, a single 38-year-old book publicist who travels to several places around the world to see how different cultures deal with single life.”
• “The film’s original title was ‘How NOT To Be Single’.”

🖥️ How to Watch How to Be Single?

How to Be Single is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options. Consider subscribing to these services for convenient access to a wide range of movies and TV shows. Digital purchases allow you to own the movie and watch it anytime, while rentals provide a more budget-friendly option for a limited viewing window.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed How to Be Single, you might like these similar films:

• Bridesmaids (2011): Both films feature strong female friendships and humor while exploring the complexities of adult life and relationships.
• Sex and the City (2008): Similar themes of single women navigating love, sex, and careers in New York City.
• He’s Just Not That Into You (2009): Explores various perspectives on relationships and dating, offering a sometimes harsh but often funny look at modern love.
• Trainwreck (2015): Features a female protagonist exploring her sexuality and independence, challenging traditional romantic comedy tropes.

🛒 How to Be Single Related Products

• How to Be Single (Blu-ray): Own the movie on Blu-ray for a high-definition viewing experience, complete with bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews.
• How to Be Single [Original Soundtrack]: Download the official soundtrack and relive the movie’s memorable moments through its upbeat and catchy tunes.
• Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette: Get the natural, confident New York City style seen on Dakota Johnson with this highly versatile eyeshadow palette.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Pitch Perfect – Fat Amy: Bring Rebel Wilson’s signature humor to your collection. This highly detailed figure perfectly captures her personality.

🎧 Soundtrack

How to Be Single features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Intoxicated” – performed by Martin Solveig & GTA
• “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)” – performed by Andy Grammer
• “Can’t Feel My Face” – performed by The Weeknd

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How To Be Single | Hannah Stocking

Check out this funny ‘How to Be Single’ sketch by Hannah Stocking. It’s got all the laughs and awkwardness of trying to navigate the dating world.

Dakota Johnson and Leslie Mann Hit On “Hot” Reporter

Dakota Johnson and Leslie Mann are hilarious! Watch them flirt with a reporter in this fun ‘How to Be Single’ interview.

DAKOTA JOHNSON – WHY She Will Be SINGLE Forever ★

Dakota Johnson shares her thoughts on why she may be single forever. Her perspective is refreshing and relatable, especially if you’ve ever wondered about the struggles of being single.

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