The latest entry in to the “date movie” genre, 27 Dresses is proof that America and Hollywood is looking for love. Kathryn Heigel (Knocked Up) is Jane, a lady that is nine times more likely to live alone than the average woman (”Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride”), who desperately needs to take time out for herself. James Marsden (X-Men, Superman Returns, The Notebook) is the man to help her do just that.
Though a romantic comedy in every aspect, the film does take some stabs at being deeper than just a humorous love story, to its own dismay. Family love, self love, and a bit of self-indulgence are addressed and get ample screen time, and the tone of the film becomes somewhat preachy, detracting from the “comedy” aspect of the feature. However, these themes have become commonplace in the genre and shouldn’t detract many viewers from the story.
The real revelation of 27 Dresses is James Marsden, who perhaps for the first time is able to get the girl, as most of his previous attempts on film have left him spurned. Perhaps the roles in his previous work have kept him constrained and somewhat two-dimensional, this character however has liberated his true charm and comedic timing, and upped his tinsel-town stock to be sure.
With a story that feels recycled, an adequate cast, and only a few genuinely comedic moments, most notably the “Bennie and the Jets” sequence, 27 Dresses is a mediocre foray into a genre that is in bad need of a reinvention.
Popularity: 15% [?]
Tue, Apr 29, 2008
DVD