Die Nackte Wahrheit (The Ugly Truth)
U.S.A. 2009

Opening 1 Oct 2009

Directed by: Robert Luketic
Writing credits: Nicole Eastman, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith
Principal actors: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Bree Turner, Eric Winter, Nick Searcy

The popular late-night cable-network talk show host Mike Chadway (Gerald Butler) lights up the airways with his straight talk to men and women about relationships. Chadway’s basic “whatever works” advice is coupled with his crude description of what he knows men like and dislike about women. His reality show, called The Ugly Truth, attracts irate female callers, which drives the ratings to an all-time high for reality TV. Chadway’s controversial show is hired by the local TV station to up the ratings by the station’s owner. The station producer, Abbey Richter (Katherine Heigl), is appalled at the decision to add the distasteful show to the station repertoire, much less reside as the show’s official supervisor. Her resistance to support Mr. Chadway only leads into a comedy of errors surrounding her personal life that calls her professional skills into question. Richter is forced to take personal inventory while on her own search to find Mr. Right, at the aid of the despicable Mr. Chadway.

Director Robert Luketic calls upon the women of today (screenwriters Nicole Eastman, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kristen Smith) to address in The Ugly Truth what women need to know about men. Therein behind the narratives’ subtle laughter lays a very sad reality that the selfish, rude and crude dudes exist. Thankfully Luketic turns the corner toward hope that Mr./Ms. Right is waiting and that true love requires truth telling and the highest respect for one another. (Karen Pecota)