Giving It Up (1999)

Giving It Up is the kind of late-’90s romantic comedy that actually trusts its audience, trading winks and clichés for sharper writing and a surprisingly thoughtful look at desire, intimacy, and the stories we tell ourselves to avoid growing up. Set against a brisk New York vibe, it follows a charmingly self-deluded adman as he tries to untangle his “addiction” with more honesty than he’s used to, and the movie finds its laughs in human behavior rather than cheap punchlines. The performances give it real ballast—Dabney Coleman in particular brings a grounded, incisive presence that makes the emotional stakes feel earned instead of manufactured. If you want broad slapstick or a paint-by-numbers meet-cute, this may not be your flavor, but if you’re craving a smarter, more realistic rom-com that lingers after the credits, it’s a little gem worth discovering.

Giving It Up wants to be a cheeky late-’90s rom-com about a smooth-talking ad guy confronting his “sex addiction” to finally become worthy of a woman he actually respects. The problem is it plays like a checklist of clichés with a thin, predictable arc, and the tone often feels shallow and oddly unrealistic for a story that’s pretending to explore something serious. Performances don’t do the material any favors, so instead of charmingly messy you may find it flat and hard to care about. If you’re in the mood for lightweight, low-stakes background viewing with a few flirtatious moments, you might tolerate it, but if you want believable romance, sharp comedy, or any real insight, this probably isn’t your night.