FINDING Mr Right can be a precarious business - holding on to him, even more so.

In Donald Petrie's charming and effervescent romantic

comedy, a beautiful 20-something singleton and her beau discover that all's fair in love and war. Until somebody gets hurt.

Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) works for Composure women's magazine as their revered "How To" columnist, advising readers on the best ways to cope with their hectic lives. She is commissioned by her editor (Bebe Neuwirth) to write an article on the things women do (sometimes without realising it) to drive men away.

For research purposes, Andie agrees to woo handsome ad agency executive Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey), then try to get him to dump her within ten days.

A diary of her escapades will form the backbone of the article, chronicling the suffering she inflicts on the poor guy until he eventually gives her the elbow.

Unbeknownst to Andie, Ben has made a hefty wager with his boss (Robert Klein) that he can make any woman fall in love with him within ten days.

So when Andie flirts with him in a crowded bar, he thinks all of his prayers have been answered.

At its hopelessly romantic heart, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days is an old fashioned screwball comedy complete with a snappy script of droll one-liners.

Hudson''s glamour girl has a ball as Ben's girlfriend from hell, whether it be gate-crashing his boys-only poker night, festooning his apartment with girly accoutrements like teddy bears on the bedspread, or inventing pet names for his penis ("Does Princess Sofia want to come out and play?").

The chemistry between the two leads crackles with sexual tension and director Petrie glides through the various set pieces with flair. He only comes unstuck once with the syrupy, soft focus happy-ever-after that feels rushed and fails to deliver the necessary emotional kick.

Rating: 7/10.

DAMON SMITH