I really wanted to like this movie. A focused Robin Williams is a force to be reckoned with, John Krasinski is an up and coming star, and Mandy Moore is perfect in these light romantic comedy roles. The stars were there. Unfortunately, try as I did, I could not truly like this fitfully entertaining movie.
On some level I actually do like it, but it is more for what was attempted in combination with a few moments throughout than for the entire piece as presented. License to Wed is a movie that tries, just not hard enough; the script fails to deliver while the performers do what they can. I really wanted to like it, I tried to like it, but it just never rises above the mundane.
The story focuses on Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore), a young engaged couple getting ready for their big day. They meet with the Jones family minister, Reverend Frank (Robin Williams), who can squeeze in the ceremony in a mere three weeks, but only if they pass his personally designed marriage prep course. This is the comedy setup and complete thrust of the film. It is a high concept that has potential, but its execution relies on simple gags that don't really mine the possibilities. I am not saying that it could be a life changing, classic film event, but it could certainly have been stronger than what is delivered.
The film opens by giving us the short version of the initial meeting and courtship of our two lovebirds. It is better than The Break-Up in that we actually get a little bit of them together leading up to the engagement, rather than the meeting, a series of photos, and right into the break-up. Anyway, no sooner have they become an engaged couple, they have to face off with Reverend Frank and his pre-marriage test, which grants him the right to not allow the union go forward if he does not believe they are ready and/or compatible.
License to Wed does not exist in the real world, nor does it even attempt to. Rather, screenwriters Kim Barker, Tim Rasmussen, and Vince DiMeglio have given us a script filled with characters that you may want to like, but you will also want to throttle them for some of the stupid things they do. It is one of those movies where a simple conversation between the betrothed would likely clear everything up, or at least dispense with so much of the heartbreak that occurs. Of course, if the logical were to happen there would not be much of a movie. At the very least, it would have been nice to have characters that are not so blind in their singular devotion.
Article comments
1 - peggy
I liked the casting of the film License to wed, and there were some very funny moments. However, I found it extremely offensive when they made fun of church practices, and the reverend, who was played by Robin Williams, used foul language at times. His questions to the couple at times were perverted They tried too hard to be funny and came out offending many movie viewers. I would not recommend paying to go see this film!
2 - Belle 2
Interesting. I agree, John Krasinski is an up and coming star and he alone will get me to this movie. My own pre-wedding counseling was a formality only, but hopefully, I will be able to relate to this movie.