DVD Review: The Wedding Date

Being a guy, I'm not supposed to like films like this, the alleged "chick flicks." Being a film lover, I'm supposed to be able to like all genres of film. I have discovered that there are a few genres that I naturally am attracted too, but I have also discovered that I can enjoy films from just about any genre. The romantic comedy is no exception. It is not my genre of choice, but there are some wonderful films that would fall under this category. So far as good ones go, this isn't.

Let's see if I can set the stage. Kat (Debra Messing) is going home to her family in England for her sister's wedding. The catch is that she needs a date, so a montage is used over the opening to imply that she hires an escort (Dermot Mulroney). Once they meet it is off to the sitcom races. They get to the wedding party where they must pretend to be a couple amidst all of the clichéd family members and circumstances that the writer can throw at them.

The supporting cast has all of the usual suspects. We have the lovable stepfather, the condescending mother, the center of attention sister, the goofy sidekick, and the ex that you may not want back. The plot careens from character to character with no real sense of focus, or attempt at development. It plays like a half-baked sitcom script, possibly a rejected Will & Grace thread?

This marks Debra Messing's first shot at headlining a movie, even if it does play like a TV movie. As much as I think I could enjoy Debra's acting, I've never much cared for Will & Grace and always marvel at how it has lasted. I think that Messing has some great screen presence, but what she needs is a stronger script and a cast with more chemistry. No one really seems to fit. That brings us to Dermot Mulroney, I think he may have been hanging out with Keanu Reeves prior to making this movie, either that or he needed the paycheck and was just so bored that that's the way he decided to play the role, bored and aloof. He almost transcends the boredom and attains a zen-Yoda-like state where he understands women more than women understand themselves. Well, I think he was just bored, and knew the script was weak.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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