FLOUTING OF MAXIMS BY THE CHARACTERS IN HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU MOVIE

This study analyzes the flouting of conversational maxims in the movie He’s Just Not That Into You, with the objectives of identifying the types of flouting and explaining the reasons behind them. The data were obtained from selected dialogues that portray the dynamics of romantic relationships and interpersonal communication, and were collected through observation and note‑taking. The analysis was conducted qualitatively by applying Grice’s theory (1975) to classify the flouting of the maxims of Quantity, Quality, Relation, and Manner, while Leech’s theory (1983) was used to explain the reasons, such as politeness, conflict avoidance, self‑protection, humor, and emphasis. The results show that all four types of flouting occur in the film. Quantity and Quality are identified as the most frequently flouted maxims, Relation is often flouted when irrelevant responses are given to avoid uncomfortable topics, and Manner is flouted through ambiguous or convoluted expressions, though less frequently. Politeness emerges as the dominant reason, since indirectness is frequently employed by the characters to protect the feelings of others. Other reasons, such as humor, emphasis, and self‑protection, are also observed, although less prominently. These findings indicate that the flouting of conversational maxims in the film not only reflects real strategies of everyday communication but also serves narrative functions, including the building of conflict, the creation of humor, and the revelation of character traits. Thus, the study demonstrates that pragmatic analysis of film dialogue provides deeper insights into human communication practices and shows how language is strategically used to achieve interpersonal as well as dramatic purposes.