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View Date: July 17th, 2001 Cast:
Directed by: Written
by: Official Site: Wedding Planner Related Viewings: Also see my reviews at:
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The Wedding Planner Originality has never been a quality that has been prevalent in the romantic comedy. Most people prefer to see something consistent and likeable, rather than adventurous, realistic or possibly groundbreaking in its ideals. The Wedding Planner is yet another entry into this sweepstakes, forsaking believability for sweet and charming appeal. The problem is that when it tries to go out on a limb and stray slightly, it fails because the attempts come across as pointless, stupid and unfocused. Several scenes display this desperation and drag the movie down in its inevitable journey from a beginning that is only slightly unique but appealing, to a conclusion that anyone with a high school education could see. The result is charming but flawed in its execution and predictability. Hollywood has grasped onto the principle of following a pattern, however well traveled. The basic idea is to introduce a concept, in this case, an unlucky in love wedding planner (“they say those who can’t do, teach, well those who can’t wed, plan") who happens through the usual fate, circumstance and cute meeting, to fall in love with the groom of her biggest wedding to date. The story attempts to show the parallels and pitfalls that fate can have, but instead, it comes across as contrived, forced and downright painful to watch at times. The only saving grace is that we've seen the path a million times before, so after the introduction, the only thing that remains is how the film will reach its conclusion, and what pleasures and pitfalls will occur during the journey. In some cases, such as Return to Me, the trek actually becomes just as entertaining as the principle, but in this case, the in-between scenes are uncomfortable, forced and downright ridiculous (witness two scenes; one involving Lopez’s ex and the other involving an unfortunate statue). Even occasional glimmers, like her arranged fiancée Massimo who has a goofily romantic and faithful appeal, cannot save the squirming that occurs while waiting for the end to come. Once again, there are the pretty people who exist in the film, and are inexplicably single, looking, and happen through circumstance that test the very fiber of yin and yang, to find each other. McConnaughey and Lopez exist in that alter world, and find each other of course, and luckily their chemistry makes most of their scenes together work, save the aforementioned exceptions. The newly wed Ms Sampras (Wilson) is right in her element playing the spoiled, but realistic bride (the only person in the movie who the audience may be able to relate to) Even the presence of another scene stealing performance from Willard (see Best in Show as well) along with supporting turns from Rocco, Kimbrough, Gleason, Chambers and Greer are simply there to carry the story along and introduce distraction until the arrival of the finale that we all know is coming. Ultimately, The Wedding Planner is well intended, but poorly executed attempt to capitalize on tried and true past successes. I am as much of a romantic as the next person, and a sucker for a story that touches the heart and soul. I just happen to believe that this can be done by infusing a bit of realism so that more could relate, instead of just living in a self servient fantasy world that may never exist. While there is an underlying sweetness resulting from the chemistry of the cast, every step forward, including one mildly unexpected absence of something I thought would be a lock to occur, there are two steps because of the poor writing and planning. The expected occurs, but what it takes to achieve it, is almost unwatchable and uncomfortable. This is not a bad movie by any stretch, because its guaranteed to make those who are romantics at heart feel a little gushy inside, but when their hearts disconnect, and their brains come back to them, they will realize that the pretty little package is empty on the inside. ($$ out of $$$$$) Agree? Disagree, Questions? Comments? |
