ROMANTIC comedy has never been the most pioneering of film genres, but this lack lustre specimen adheres to the formula more rigidly than a painting-by-numbers kit.

The hero, Paul, is one of those charmingly inept nice guys straight out of Jeeves and Wooster.

After falling into bed with a Hawaiian dancer, Becky, he meets in a bar on his stag night - but with whom, in the true spirit of modern rom-com he doesn't actually, you know, "do" anything - he goes to absurd lengths to conceal his innocent encounter from his bride-to-be, Karen, including hiding a pair of stray knickers in the cistern and burning a stash of incriminating photos taken by Becky's jealous boyfriend (which, in true farce style, prove almost indestructible).

The situation takes a predictable turn for the worse when Paul discovers that Becky is Karen's cousin and is heavily involved in the wedding arrangements.

Inevitably, though, and despite these innumerable trials, Paul and Becky soon realise their true love for each other.

A Guy Thing delivers everything you'd expect of a modern romantic comedy. It's slickly directed and acted and exudes just enough daffy good humour to keep you watching.

But, give or take the occasional wry smile, it's just not that funny.

For farce to work properly - ie reduce the audience to gales of helpless laughter, or at least some a few hearty belly-laughs - the stakes need to be much, much higher.

No one in this film has that much to lose. Characters rush around trying to extricate themselves from situations when they'd be far better off just letting things run their natural course - as they eventually do. All that happens is that two couples who shouldn't be getting married in the first place don't.

If you liked Maid in Manhattan or You've Got Mail, you'll find this enjoyable enough. The rest of you should go back to your Doris Day videos.

Oh, and boys take note - it's definitely not a guy thing.

I give it: 4/10