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27 Dresses 7.5 out of 10
Running time: 1:48 MPAA rating: PG-13 (Language, some innuendo and sexuality.) Peruvian rating: Mayores de 14
Cast:
Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Edward
Burns, Malin Akerman, Judy Greer.
Photography: Peter James |
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27 Dresses is an extremely generic romantic comedy, saved only by occasional humorous lines and the performances of Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, and yes, Edward Burns. This is an entirely predictable film, and there wasn't a single second I didn't know what was going to happen or who was going to end up with who. It's a pity, really, since the film's protagonists are really capable actors, and the screenplay was written by The Devil Wears Prada's Aline Brosh McKenna. That doesn't mean 27 Dresses is a bad movie; actually, it's very enjoyable, and it's a pleasant - yet unremarkable way - of spending a romantic Saturday night with your boyfriend/girlfriend.
The movie tells the story of Jane (Katherine Heigl), an amateur wedding planner. She loves weddings, and her favourite moment is watching the groom's face as he looks at his bride approaching him at the altar. Jane's day job is as an assistant to an advertising exec, George (Edward Burns), but her real job is to help or her friends with their weddings. She has been a bridesmaid in 27 weddings, and hopes that some day she'll have her own wedding. She's in love with George but she doesn't dare to tell him. One day, her slutty sister Tess (Malin Akerman) arrives, sweeping George off his feet. After some months, the two become engaged and Jane is forced to plan her sister's wedding to the man she loves. Then there's Kevin (James Marsden), the Wedding Announcements writer for the New York Journal, who is intrigued by Jane's history and wants to write an article about her (without her knowing). The two are complete opposites, but anyone who knows a thing or two about romantic comedies will know this means they'll definitely end up together.
The main problem with 27 Dresses is its lack of innovation. I know romantic comedies have their own rules and that the great majority of them are pretty similar, but that doesn't mean that every time a new one comes out, it has to be virtually the same to every other film before it. I knew everything that would happen in 27 Dresses like five minutes into the film. If there are clichés related to this genre, there isn't one this movie hasn't used. For example, even though Jane and Kevin were opposites, it was obvious they were going to end up together. Or the fact that Jane's sister was a slut meant that, in the end, the truth was going to be said about her. The good thing is that, even though the flick is amazingly generic, both the characters and the actors portraying them are likable and talented enough to make the audience believe in their story and romance.
Katherine Heigl as Jane is really good, virtually the perfect actress for this sort of the movie. She's likable, pretty, talented, and energetic. She's neither boring nor over-the-top, and understands the type of character she's portraying. It's really easy to root for her and, although she doesn't have to use a lot of her talent for this particular character, she does a really good job. James Marsden is pretty good too, almost as good as Heigl, showing a lot of charisma, and boasting palpable chemistry with Heigl. They don't exactly set the screen on fire, but their chemistry is good nonetheless. Edward Burns and Judy Greer are also really good in their respective, smaller roles; Burns is particularly likable, and demonstrates that, given the right sort of role, he can be effective. The only weak performance in the movie belongs to Malin Akerman. She's amazingly annoying and irritating, and although I guess her character's supposed to be like that, I couldn't stand her for one second.
Another problem with the film lies in the comedy department. 27 Dresses is supposed to be "romantic comedy", but the flick's more romantic than funny. I'm not expecting Knocked Up kind of comedy from a movie of this sort but, for my money, there wasn't a single laugh-out-loud moment in the whole movie. Yeah, I had a couple of chuckles, but the film was surprisingly stale in the humour department. And some of the supposed "gags" were pitiful; really, how funny is to watch Katherine Heigl trip after she's jumped from the coast to a moving boat? Why insert physical gags to a romantic comedy?
In the end, even though I found quite a lot of flaws in 27 Dresses, I must admit I had kind of a good time. It was Valentine's Day, and my girlfriend chose the movie - naturally; I had to agree and went into the theatre not expecting much. Fortunately, even though 27 Dresses is not an excellent romantic comedy - one of the best one's I've seen so far is definitely When Harry Met Sally... -, it's pretty enjoyable and fun. Performances a great - save one exception -, there are some chuckles to be had, and the romance is palpable and easy to relate to. My biggest problem with the film is its lack of innovation; why can't Hollywood take risks? I was expecting more from the The Devil Wears Prada writer and, although this movie is not as good as her previous effort, it's nevertheless a suitably enjoyable, light-hearted and fun romantic motion picture.
©2008 Sebastián Zavala - Star Wars Epica