Genre: Romance/Comedy
Director: Michael Ian Black
Cast: Jason Biggs, Isla Fisher, Joe Pantoliano, Edward Herrmann, Joanna Gleason, Rob Corddry
RunTime: 1 hr 33 mins
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films
Rating: NC-16 (Sexual References)
Official Website: http://www.weddingdazethemovie.co.uk/

Opening Day: 17 July 2008

Synopsis:

After losing the woman of his dreams, Anderson is convinced he'll never fall in love again. But at the urging of his best friend, he spontaneously proposes to a dissatisfied waitress named Katie and an innocent dare evolves into the kind of love that both have been looking for all along.

Movie Review:

For a romantic comedy to be effective, it must at least be able to convince the audience that the onscreen couple is worth rooting for. "Wedding Daze" fails miserably in this aspect and a few others that one wonders whether the film's writer/director Michael Ian Black is in a daze himself.

The film opens by giving us a glimpse into Anderson's (Jason Biggs) past when he proposed to his girlfriend Vanessa (Audra Blaser) in a very unusual manner and ended up indirectly causing her death. With Anderson still unable to get over the tragedy a year later, his best friend Ted (Michael Weston) encourages him to start dating other women. During their conversation in a restaurant, Anderson randomly proposes to a waitress named Katie (Isla Fisher), after which she unexpectedly agrees to marry him. Hence begins the awkward moment where the couple has to achieve in a few days what normal couples do in years - know each other.

As I have mentioned at the beginning, the main problem with "Wedding Daze" is its inability for the lead couple to gain the viewers' support. This is largely due to the lack of character development for both Anderson and Katie. While they have flaws like all people, they are not given any redeeming qualities whatsoever. Throughout the film, we are shown that Anderson is an out-and-out loser whereas Katie is so full of insecurities. What are their strengths that we can admire upon? Why should they deserve each other? The film does not attempt to answer these questions at all.

"Wedding Daze" starts out well by setting up the back stories of Anderson and Katie but goes downhill from the moment the couple begins their getting-to-know-each-other process. Everything seems so rushed for them to get to the final phase that it feels like cooking instant noodles - you get a quick meal but you won't be full. This is most evident in a key scene where the couple confesses their love for each other after an argument without any rhyme or reason. Add to that a bunch of far-fetched supporting characters (Anderson and Katie's parents being the most notable) and we have a mess of a movie.

Truth be told, the film's failure is solely because of bad writing. The actors have done the best they can to bring their characters to life. The funniest character in my opinion is Katie's convicted father, Smitty (Joe Pantoliano, best known as Cypher the traitor from "The Matrix") who can be a sweet person (only to Katie) as much as he is downright vicious. Pantoliano is spot-on with his portrayal; therefore he is rightfully the one who gives the best performance in the entire film. Jason 'American Pie' Biggs on the other hand still can't shake off his loser tag. While he can be likable in this film, he seems a carbon copy of his previous characters. Isla Fisher (the eccentric cutie from "Wedding Crashers" and also Ryan Reynolds' possible ex-wife in "Definitely, Maybe") plays it straight as the doubtful Katie but one may wonder if she can be equally charming without resorting to cleavage-revealing and appearing in her undies.

And what is a romantic comedy without the comedic elements? With Jason Biggs in the picture, it is obligatory that he has to make a fool of himself several times to provoke laughter. Isla Fisher gets to follow suit in a nose-embarrassing scene. The rest of the jokes though are mostly lacklustre and ineffective. Some of them (as in the gay and pervert jokes) are supposed to be revelations for a few supporting characters but they turn out to be too nonsensical that believability gets thrown out the window.

Still, one must not view "Wedding Daze" as a complete disaster. On a positive note, it can be a good reference material in case a "How Not to Make a Romantic Comedy Flop" guide needs to be made. Come to think of it, I'm in a daze too after watching this movie. Now, excuse me while I go try my luck at a nearby restaurant to see if I can get a pretty lady to marry me on the spot.

Movie Rating:



(The lack of substance, sense and heart in "Wedding Daze" ruins the film of its great potential and may leave viewers in a daze as well)

Review by Tan Heng Hau