'Made of Honor'

10/8/08

SMASH

Chemistry 101: Lead Male+Lead Female+Both Attractive+Lead Male is in love with Lead Female+Lead Female falls for another man+ Lead Female getting married+Lead Male going to lose her forever+Wedding between Lead Female and new love interest+Lead Male stops wedding and confesses love for Lead Female+Lead Female ditches other guy and gets hitched with Lead Male=Love Story Formula. Love Story Formula=Made of Honor. Sorry if I’ve ruined the surprise ending for the six of you who didn’t see it coming or who haven't seen the trailer… We’ve seen this story a million times and yet, somehow, it still works. Made of Honor is not a film one watches to be enlightened/moved/wowed/etc, and is not Oscar material in the least bit. That doesn’t mean that it wasn’t done well. It simply means that it is a movie that a group of women who dragged their men along with them can watch to spend time with each other and enjoy a cute story.  That is all the filmmakers intended. And to that extent, the movie delivers remarkably. Patrick Dempsey is perfect in his sexy man/bachelor/quick-witted character, and gives one of his best, most comfortable performances. Men will enjoy the film because Dempsey is so relatable. Even though it is clearly a chick-flick, the masculine element is not forgotten and is supported by Dempsey’s group of guys and their willingness to help a bro that is in need. Michelle Monoghan is incredibly talented, and the female audience is able to relate to her just as well. I like her more and more each time I see her. She is incredibly beautiful. She is able to convey so much emotion with one small expression, and doesn’t need to say any words to let us know what she is thinking. Cliché though the story may have been, I still felt for the characters and wanted the best for them. The supporting cast wasn’t of much support to the film (excluding Kathleen Quinlan who is incredible and had barely any screen time and deserves more Oscar Worthy roles...) as it was solely carried by Dempsey and Monoghan. The guys tried to be dudes, while the girls tried to be funny. Neither worked. Nor did the openeing of the story in which a "younger, ten years earlier" Dempsey, sporting a rat nest wig, a Bill Clinton mask, and an “I’m so hot” attitude, first meets with Monoghan’s character, (he was originally looking for “Monica”), in an awkward “switcheroo” moment that ultimately results in their life long friendship. Apparently it worked for the characters, but it was weak for the storyline. All in all, Made of Honor encompasses everything one would look forward to in a relaxed evening of romantic-comedy Red Box DVD rentals. I enjoyed it. And for those of you suffering from problems in your own relationships, be sure to refer back to the Love Story Formula to put you back on track. It works in the movies, it should work in real life…right?

Critic: B-

Fan: B-