Opening Day: 24 January 2008

Synopsis:

A woman who has made a career out of being a bridesmaid – but never a bride – faces her worst nightmare when her sister becomes engaged to the man of her dreams. Luckily, the wedding brings around the man who may change her bridesmaid status for good.

Movie Review:

It doesn’t take a movie reviewer to tell you that this picture has the words “C-H-I-C-K F-L-I-C-K” written all over it (yes, the words were screaming to be spelt out in capital letters). And it probably doesn’t take a movie reviewer to tell you that this picture will have a happy ending (you can predict who ends up with who 15 minutes into the movie). But why would everyone flock to the theatres to watch it anyway? Because we want to laugh and watch something cheerful, that’s why.

After getting Knocked Up (2007) with Seth Rogen, Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl plays Jane, a girl who is out of luck when it comes to love. The poor girl has been a bridesmaid 27 times, collected 27 dresses in her wardrobe and is now facing the toughest challenge yet – her younger sister is getting married to the man she has been secretly in love with for the longest time, and she is the one arranging for her big day. Will she have to suffer the fate of collecting the 28th bridesmaid dress?

While I’d think that most of us would know the answer to the question, this movie reviewer shall not be not so outrageous as to reveal the ending, in fear of incurring the wraths of those readers who do not enjoy spoilers of any kind. All I’d say is that after rocklicking as Corny Collins in Hairspray (2007) and crooning his heart out as Prince Edward in Enchanted (2007), a certain James Marsden is here to sweep girls off their feet with his unique charm. Handsome guys also come in the form of Edward Burns (One Missed Call), who plays the boss Jane has had a crush on all these years. Let’s just say the two guys exude two different kinds of charisma.

It is clear that this 108-minute movie is meant as a star vehicle for Heigl. She is likeable and funny. She is occasionally goofy and clumsy. She wears gaudy outfits and still manages to look pleasant. And when the filmmakers decide to dedicate a whole sequence of showcasing 27 exclusive bridesmaid dresses on you, you can be sure they are grooming you to be the next big thing to watch out for. Playing supporting characters of the bitchy younger sister and the wittily sarcastic colleague are Malin Akerman (The Heartbreak Kid) and Judy Greer (American Dreamz), and they aren’t bad either, because of the amusing antics they pull off.

Director Anne Fletcher makes another accessible flick after her last prominent dance drama Step Up (2006), while writer Aline Brosh McKenna writes another comedic screenplay after her last popular script The Devil Wears Prada (2006). The formulated romantic sassiness is all in place, the adorable eye-candy couples are all paired up nicely, and the situational jokes are all popping up at the most predictable places. But you’d still be enjoying every bit of this romantic comedy, because you won’t want to be regarded as a self-important Scrooge. Oh, did I mention that this makes a perfect date movie? Guys, bring your girlfriends to watch this. Gals, wait for them to ask – you won’t want to be like plain ol’ Jane who has to collect 27 bridesmaid dresses before she realizes that it is time she needs to be the star of a wedding party.

Movie Rating:

(An enjoyable romcom that makes a perfect date movie)

Review by John Li