Look, let’s be real for a second. When you hear "Scarlett Johansson and Bradley Cooper film," your brain probably jumps straight to a high-octane Marvel crossover. You're thinking Black Widow and Rocket Raccoon sharing a quippy moment on a spaceship.
But that's not the movie we're talking about today. Not even close.
We’re going back to 2009. The year of the BlackBerry, Kanye’s VMA stage-rush, and a massive ensemble rom-com called He’s Just Not That Into You. It’s a movie that feels like a time capsule now, but it’s actually the only time these two shared physical, live-action screen time.
And honestly? Their storyline is the messiest, most uncomfortable part of the whole thing.
The Chemistry That Shouldn't Have Happened
In He’s Just Not That Into You, Bradley Cooper plays Ben. He’s married to Janine, played by Jennifer Connelly. They have a "perfect" life on paper, but it’s basically a house of cards built on renovations and repressed resentment.
Then he walks into a grocery store.
That’s where he meets Anna, played by Scarlett Johansson. She’s an aspiring singer, he’s... well, he’s Bradley Cooper in 2009. The spark is immediate. It’s that awkward, electric grocery-store-aisle flirting that feels both incredibly dated and painfully relatable.
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Why this role was a turning point
Back then, Cooper wasn't the "Oscar-nominated director of Maestro" Cooper. He was the "douchebag from Wedding Crashers" Cooper. This film was part of his 2009 breakout year—the same year The Hangover turned him into an A-lister.
Scarlett, meanwhile, was already a vet, but she was leaning into this "sultry yoga instructor" archetype that the media loved to pigeonhole her into before she became a global action star.
The Plot Twist That Actually Hurts to Watch
Most people remember this movie as a light, "chick flick" ensemble. You’ve got Ginnifer Goodwin being neurotic and Justin Long giving her dating advice. It’s mostly cute.
But the Scarlett Johansson and Bradley Cooper film arc is dark. Like, genuinely sad.
Ben spends the whole movie lying. He lies to his wife about smoking. He lies to Anna about his intentions. He basically gaslights both of them while trying to figure out if he actually wants to be a "grown-up."
The climax of their storyline is one of the most cringe-inducing scenes in rom-com history. Anna is hiding in Ben’s office at his house while his wife, Janine, shows up unexpectedly to try and seduce him to save their marriage. Anna has to stay silent in a closet while listening to the man she’s having an affair with try to reconnect with his wife.
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It’s not funny. It’s just brutal.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Collaboration
There's a weird misconception that these two have worked together a dozen times. Aside from the MCU—where they never actually share a scene in human form since he's a CGI raccoon—they’ve mostly just circled each other in Hollywood.
They both voiced characters in the 2016 animated hit Sing, but voice acting is a lonely business. You’re in a booth by yourself. There’s no "chemistry" to build on set.
So, why does everyone think they’re a frequent duo?
- The Marvel Effect: Being in the same franchise for a decade makes people think you're besties on screen.
- The 2009 Paparazzi Era: They were frequently photographed at the same events during the He's Just Not That Into You press tour.
- Star Power: They both occupy that "A-List but still cool" niche.
The Critical Reception: Why the critics hated it
Critics mostly trashed the film. It’s got a 41% on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert basically called it a series of comic vignettes that were beneath the actors. But here’s the thing: audiences loved it. It made almost $180 million.
People didn’t go to see a masterpiece. They went to see Scarlett Johansson and Bradley Cooper being messy and attractive. And on that front? The movie delivered.
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The Legacy of Ben and Anna
Looking back from 2026, the Scarlett Johansson and Bradley Cooper film feels like a relic. The "dating rules" the movie preaches—based on Greg Behrendt’s self-help book—feel almost prehistoric in the age of Hinge and Tinder.
But their performances hold up because they aren't playing caricatures. Ben is a coward, and Anna is someone searching for validation in the wrong places. It’s human.
If you’re looking to revisit this 2009 gem, here’s how to do it with fresh eyes:
- Watch for the wardrobe: It is peak 2000s. The vests, the layered shirts, the hair—it’s a fashion crime scene.
- Pay attention to the "interviews": The movie uses mockumentary-style interviews with "regular people" that are actually pretty funny.
- Don't expect a happy ending: For the Cooper/Johansson arc, there isn't one. And honestly? That's the most realistic part of the movie.
If you're a fan of either actor, it's worth a rewatch just to see how far they've come. You're seeing two of the biggest stars in the world right before they became untouchable icons.
Your Next Step
If you want to see them in something more modern (sorta), go back and watch Avengers: Endgame and try to spot a single frame where they actually interact. Spoilers: You won't find much.
Instead, maybe just fire up He’s Just Not That Into You on Max or Netflix and enjoy the messy, pre-superhero chaos of a 2009 grocery store meet-cute.