L!fe Happens 2011

Loren King, Boston Globe: A cliche-laden chick flick that seems conceived solely to capitalize on the success of the far more original (and generous to female friendship) "Bridesmaids." Read more

New York Times: Read more

David DeWitt, New York Times: Most appealing is Kate Bosworth, whose sharp humor as Deena has a bite that dares you to dismiss her. Even if you might dismiss her film. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: A case study in how bad movies can turn an ordinary, relatable situation into a grotesque distortion with only a passing resemblance to the way actual human beings live and interact with each other. Read more

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: It's more like watching an extended sitcom than a movie. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: Set in Los Angeles, this unfunny comedy succeeds only in perpetuating the worst stereotypes about that city. Read more

Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly: A mildly amusing indie that's neither as funny nor as poignant as it wants to be. Read more

Justin Lowe, Hollywood Reporter: Co-writers Coiro and Ritter fill in the schematic script with some juicy lines and amusing situations but never lock on to a consistent tone or thematic throughline. Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: First-time feature director Kat Coiro gives an oft-tread story a snappy new spin in the hip and enjoyable comedy "Life Happens." Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: [Bosworth] brings some intriguing shadows to a movie that looks, upon first glance, to be a two-dimensional, post-"Sex and the City" romantic comedy. Read more

Sara Stewart, New York Post: A likable concept that deflates into conventionality... Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: It all sounds dreadful, like the pilot for another brainless comedy series on network TV, but it grows on you. Read more

Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com: Cliched premise rescued by some sharp one-liners and an endearing cast. Read more

Amy Biancolli, San Francisco Chronicle: Coiro ... mixes an off-beat premise and smart, spiky dialogue with the tired old rhythms of a standard romantic comedy. Read more

Nick Schager, Time Out: Something happens here, but it isn't life. Read more

Andrew Barker, Variety: Its smattering of femme-centric gross-out humor [melds] into its scenester single-mother storyline about as gracefully as the odd exclamation point does into its title. Read more

Melissa Anderson, Village Voice: A blonde-brunette buddy comedy with a charmless cast (Rachel Bilson plays the third roomie, a Christian virgin) and banter as flat as Deena's favorite no-strings imperative, "Bone and bolt." Read more