How to Be Single (2016) – Movie Review
How to Be Single, directed by Christian Ditter and based on Liz Tuccillo’s novel, is a romantic comedy that seeks to redefine the genre by emphasizing self-discovery, friendship, and the complexities of modern relationships. While it follows some familiar rom-com tropes, the film brings a fresh perspective through its ensemble cast, lighthearted humor, and ultimately empowering message.
The story revolves around Alice (Dakota Johnson), a young woman who decides to take a break from her longtime boyfriend to explore life on her own in New York City. Newly single and unsure of her path, Alice is introduced to the city’s fast-paced dating world by her lively and unapologetically single coworker Robin (Rebel Wilson). As Alice navigates romantic entanglements and flirtations, she learns that being single is about more than just partying it’s about discovering who you are when you’re on your own.
Dakota Johnson portrays Alice with warmth and relatability, stepping outside the mold of the stereotypical rom-com lead. Her character stumbles, questions herself, and grows through trial and error, making her journey feel authentic. Rebel Wilson, as Robin, steals scenes with her high-energy antics and blunt humor, serving as a comedic foil to Alice’s introspective nature.
The film also weaves in the lives of several supporting characters. Leslie Mann plays Meg, Alice’s older sister, a successful doctor who initially rejects the idea of motherhood but later decides to have a baby on her own. Alison Brie’s character, Lucy, is fixated on finding “the one” through dating apps and algorithms, adding another dimension to the modern search for love with her neurotic yet endearing personality.
What How to Be Single excels at is showcasing the diverse ways people approach relationships, emphasizing that there’s no universal formula. Some seek love, others crave independence, and many are still figuring it out. The movie moves beyond the cliché that happiness solely comes from finding a partner, instead celebrating self-awareness, strong friendships, and the joy of living life on your own terms.
While the pacing is occasionally uneven with some characters receiving more focus than others and certain subplots feeling underdeveloped the film’s charm lies in its honesty. It avoids tying everything up with a neat, fairytale ending. Instead, it leaves its characters in various stages of self-discovery and growth, which feels both refreshing and authentic.
Visually, the movie captures the vibrant energy of New York City, and its use of music and stylish montage sequences enhances its fun and upbeat vibe. Although it doesn’t entirely escape rom-com conventions, it reinvents them just enough to resonate with a generation navigating love in a tech-driven, commitment-wary world.
How to Be Single isn’t just a comedy about dating it’s a celebration of life’s messiness and the courage it takes to stand on your own. Smart, funny, and heartfelt, it’s a film that speaks to anyone learning to embrace the journey of self-discovery.
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