A serviceable, low-key romantic comedy that’s just entertaining enough to keep our attention, but with few flourishes to last in our memory the way Brooks’ movies usually do.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 3, 2023

At least a modest disappointment for those of us who consider ourselves fans of James L. Brooks.

| Original Score: 2.5/4.0 | Sep 11, 2020

Earnest and watchable, there are some incredibly funny moments, but in the end, this isn't anything more than a middle-of-the-road rom-com.

| Original Score: C | Jul 14, 2020

Three likeable stars and Jack Nicholson. Can you take this foursome and make a film that makes you want to barf the moment it opens? Yes, if the film is How Do You Know.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Apr 3, 2019

Brooks wants to make a contemporary relationship film and a topical one about the financial crisis and winds up failing on both sides.

| Nov 17, 2018

I'm not sure the movie will end up earning back its stars' huge salaries, but you definitely can't argue they didn't earn them.

| Original Score: B- | Jun 22, 2013

"How Do You Know" is a complete misfire from famed writer/director James L. Brooks.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Sep 22, 2012

What happened to James L. Brooks?

| Original Score: 1/4 | Jan 30, 2012

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 26, 2012

Some of the bits are funny, every now and then they're sweet, the performances are OK and really, with this much talent involved, it's hard not to be disappointed in that.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 12, 2011

It's all a bit of a slog and, in the end, you don't know much more than you did at the start.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 14, 2011

What makes any of these kinds of movies run involves the appeal of the main actors, and all three, stalwart in their screen likabilities, smooth the proceedings.

| Original Score: 6/10 | May 3, 2011

Not enough films let their characters talk enough. Because if they did it would usually stop the idiotic plot in its tracks. Points for meandering down the road less traveled.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 4, 2011

Good news: you've got great actors with wonderful chemistry and comic timing. Bad News: they're playing some of the most irritating, unlikable, infuriating characters ever committed to film

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Mar 1, 2011

Even Nicholson's usually scene-stealing bluster can't get this disappointing addition to the Brooks filmography going.

| Feb 10, 2011

Every scene is as achingly long and laboured as the film's instantly forgettable title.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Feb 2, 2011

More creative energy has gone into furnishing these characters' apartments than devising credible emotional situations to put them in; the result is wholly undemanding, and best saved for a long-haul flight.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 31, 2011

James L. Brooks has clearly spent far too long in Los Angeles.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 31, 2011

Though neither mindless nor insensitive, this interminable movie falls far short of Brooks's best work, which is to say Broadcast News and As Good As It Gets.

| Jan 31, 2011

Seemingly well-intentioned and inoffensive - but there are so many other films that do this sort of thing faster, better and with more jokes, including a couple from writer-director James L Brook's own back catalogue.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 31, 2011