Something Borrowed is definitely a “chick flick” -- not that there’s anything wrong with that. This surprisingly perceptive romantic comedy illustrates what can happen if a woman breaks an unwritten relationship rule. That rule, of course, is “never steal your best friend’s boyfriend or prospective groom.” The consequences of not following that rule can be devastating to a friendship, no matter how close the women have been all their lives.

But what if true love is involved in this equation? Ah, there’s the dilemma for Rachel, played endearingly by Ginnifer Goodwin (Ramona and Beezus). Rachel has always taken a back seat to Darcy, portrayed like a force of nature by Kate Hudson (Raising Helen). These two have been best friends since childhood, and they still rely on each other. Well, Darcy relies on Rachel for support, and Rachel provides it -- even to the point of relinquishing an important date with Dex (Colin Egglesfield) when Darcy enters the picture. So now, Darcy and Dex are engaged to be married, and Rachel must help with the proceedings. However, although Rachel tries to hide it, her good friend Ethan (John Krasinski) soon realizes how much she is suffering and tries to offer her advice about how to deal with Darcy.

Then, after Rachel receives the surprise of her life when Dex admits he has harbored longstanding feelings for her, which he thought she never returned, the plot kicks into high gear. What’s more important to Rachel, love or friendship? Will Dex do something to stop the wedding no matter how much it may hurt his parents, especially his mother? Will Rachel continue to see Dex secretly? How will Darcy react when she discovers Rachel and Dex’s betrayal? If that happens, is there any hope for a reconciliation between Rachel and Darcy?

Yes, this sound like serious business, I know. However, Hudson’s performance comes across as over-the-top funny. How anyone could be friends with someone like Darcy is beyond me, but Hudson succeeds in making us care about Darcy, no matter how obnoxious she behaves at times. Supporting actress Ashley Williams (Margin Call) also evokes plenty of laughter with her hilarious pursuit of Krasinski’s (It’s Complicated) character, and there’s a delightfully amusing dance number by Goodwin and Hudson, one I would love to see again. Plus Steve Hovey (Stan Helsing), as a cave-man type party guy, tells a cute chipmunk story that still has me chuckling.        

Unfortunately, the handsome Egglesfield (The Au Pairs) generates very little chemistry with either of his leading ladies, and that’s a big minus for a romantic comedy. I think he would be much better in action flicks like the ones starring Tom Cruise. In fact, he resembles Cruise a lot -- not that there’s anything wrong with that either.

No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever. --- Francois Mauriac

 (Released by Warner Bros. Pictures and rated “PG-13” for sexual content, including dialogue, and some drug material.)

For more information about this film, go to the Internet Movie Data Base or Rotten Tomatoes website.