Little Black Book (2004)

21% of critics liked it
(109 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(64,477 ratings)

Directed by Nick Hurran, Little Black Book follows Stacy (Brittany Murphy), an associate producer of a popular daytime talk show starring Kippie Kann (Kathy Bates), as she tries to figure out the root of her boyfriend's (Ron Livingston) commitment-phobic nature. Rather than continue to fruitlessly… More Directed by Nick Hurran, Little Black Book follows Stacy (Brittany Murphy), an associate producer of a popular daytime talk show starring Kippie Kann (Kathy Bates), as she tries to figure out the root of her boyfriend's (Ron Livingston) commitment-phobic nature. Rather than continue to fruitlessly question Derek (Livingston) regarding his slew of failed relationships, Stacy sneaks into his Palm Pilot and begins interviewing his ex-girlfriends under the pretense of gathering information for a future show. Though she justifies the deception with her need to find out whether or not Derek can be trusted for a long-term relationship, complications arise when Stacy becomes good friends with one of Derek's former flames. Holly Hunter makes an appearance as Stacy's boss (the show's senior associate producer), while Josie Maran, Julianne Nicholson, Rashida Jones, Sharon Lawrence, and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale are featured in supporting roles. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Nick Hurran
Written By: Elisa Bell, Melissa Carter
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 6, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Jan 4, 2005
Studio: Sony Pictures

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
[O]ne of the worst romantic comedies of this or probably any other year.
Ben Kenigsberg, Village Voice
It's no fun to side with Murphy's mean-spirited paranoiac, so we're soon rooting for the gynecologist to uncover a venereal disease, or for the chef to whip up some salmonella, or even for that Palm cradle to fall into the bathtub.
Sara Gebhardt, Washington Post
It's not well scripted enough or well acted enough to do much of anything, save make anyone watching really hate Brittany Murphy for being so annoying and so incredibly unlikely as a cute twenty-something Diane Sawyer wannabe.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
If you think it's worth it to sit there for 97 minutes for three or possibly four laughs, then you are beyond help.
Daphne Gordon, Toronto Star
If it's hard to like the message and the characters in this movie, it's even harder to like the acting, though the casting is strong.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
An awkward and aggressively unfunny film.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
A romance-free, comedy-free romantic comedy.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Takes major jabs at deceptions of all kinds, from privacy issues between lovers to the ugliness of public exposure for profit that is the currency of reality TV.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um filme pouco apreciado que, acredito, ganhará popularidade com o passar do tempo, já que é infinitamente mais inteligente e ambicioso do que sugere sua superfície.
Neil Smith, BBC
It's virtually impossible to root for a protagonist so shamelessly duplicitous.
Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio
With digital do-it-yourself precision prying now, it may be not be how far you can go, but how much do you really want to know?
Mark Collette, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)
We are drilled again and again in how much we should hate all of these characters.
Thomas Delapa, Boulder Weekly
Sloppy, unpleasant...one book best left on the shelf.
Vince Koehler, Entertainment Spectrum
The film is very funny and has many twists and turns as Stacy interacts with 3 ex-girlfriends.
Nicole Perri, Premiere Magazine
The cinematic equivalent of chic lit -- mildly amusing, but completely forgettable once you're done with it.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

I don't know why so many people on this site have said this movie was rubbish, it led me to wonder if i had watched the same film as everyone! Little black Book is one of those rare movies that really touches you. The ending is simply superb and I did not see it coming. The… More
I don't know why so many people on this site have said this movie was rubbish, it led me to wonder if i had watched the same film as everyone! Little black Book is one of those rare movies that really touches you. The ending is simply superb and I did not see it coming. The concluding scene was really tense but the writers still managed to bring humour into it! Ireally enjoyed this movie> Brittany Murphy does an excellent job as the main character and portrays her very well. This movie has everything a romantic comedy needs romance, humour, a great plot and superb acting, don't be put off by other comments, watch it and see for yourself how good it is!
Nicki M

Watched this a few times now. I guess technically not what you would call a great movie, but so likable and I really liked how the ending showed a happy ending without a man to fix everything. Brittany singing is a little cringable at times, but that's the worst I could say… More
Watched this a few times now. I guess technically not what you would call a great movie, but so likable and I really liked how the ending showed a happy ending without a man to fix everything. Brittany singing is a little cringable at times, but that's the worst I could say about this.
Sanjaya &

I really... really hoped this movie will be a great movie... Especially I started to like Brittany Murphy because she's could be the next America's Young Sweetheart u know... But the star in this movie isn't her, but Holly Hunter... I think she's saved this… More
I really... really hoped this movie will be a great movie... Especially I started to like Brittany Murphy because she's could be the next America's Young Sweetheart u know... But the star in this movie isn't her, but Holly Hunter... I think she's saved this movie... Even the idea for the movie wasn't bad, but it's still horrible to me.... And the acting weren't emotionally in some scenes... But this movie could entertaining as well because of the 'Kippie Kann Do!!" thing... I thought it was funny...
Dean M

Brittany Murphy was quite funny in this comedy film, but Holly Hunter was the best one since "Broadcast News".
Dannielle A

Have you ever been frustrated with your boyfriend because he won't share his romantic past? That's Stacy life. She thinks "Omission is betrayal." She goes to the extreme to find out the history of his love life and finds she has fallen down a dark, chaotic rabbit… More
Have you ever been frustrated with your boyfriend because he won't share his romantic past? That's Stacy life. She thinks "Omission is betrayal." She goes to the extreme to find out the history of his love life and finds she has fallen down a dark, chaotic rabbit hole and will not come out unchanged. Knowledge is power and control. But sometimes, the truth hurts. But it can also set you free. If you could, would you want to know about your man's past relationships? I absolutely adored the exciting, dramatic climax. It was so emotional! And I loved the ending. It's nice to see a movie for a change with a nonconforming happy ending. It says, "Be happy without using someone else for a crutch."
Yinalí R

Good entertaining movie about couples.
Sylvester K

Brittany Snow â(TM)¥ The film has a wonderful cast, failed to be funny though. But the artistic intentions were good
Sunil J

I really like Brittany Murphy and this was the first comedy she was in that I thought was funny and original.