Commitment – a word that strikes fear into the heart of most men and women. A word with so many different meanings, always ready to be misinterpreted and misunderstood. Not Hollywood though, they understand the meaning of commitment. They know it can mean big bucks. This month I look at some wedding films you might want to commit yourself to seeing (Huh? Whaddya think of that one?) and some films that might just make you want to get yourself committed (I?m on fire this month!).
NOTE: I realise this is a perfect opportunity to indulge my morbid fascination with Hugh Grant but I am choosing instead to wait for Gallery?s Hugh Grant month which I presume is going to be in the not too distant future.
Wedding Crashers
Director: David Dobkin
Writers: Steve Faber & Bob Fisher
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Isla Fisher, Rachel McAdams.
Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson bring the funny in this story of two divorce mediators who use their natural charm to crash weddings and romance women all across the country. Of course they meet girls and are forced to question their lifestyle choices. Leaving them to choose between what they perceive as their freedom and the possibility of embracing they have defined themselves against. Wilson and Vaughn are as usual great but it is Isla Fisher as one of their crazy girlfriends who really steals the show. Add an inspired Will Ferrell cameo as a funeral crasher and you?ve got a consistently funny movie.
American Pie: The Wedding
Director: Jesse Dylan | Writer: Adam Herz
Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Sean William Scott
Yes it?s definitely the worst of the original trilogy. Yes it?s in many ways a deeply flawed film. But as a satisfying conclusion (the less said about the straight to DVD sequels that followed the better) to the American Pie saga you can?t fault it. The gang are back (apart from Oz who I can only presume was disowned by the others after he turned into the sappiest sap ever in the second film and never mentioned again on pain of death) and they?re up to the same old wacky / sexy shenanigans in the build up to Jim and Michelle?s wedding. There?s very little here that will surprise any who has seen the first two but it does deliver plenty of laughs and the same heart that has helped the American Pie movies deliver where so many other teen comedies have failed.
The Last Kiss
Director: Andrew Morgan | Writer: Paul Haggis | Based on: L?Ultimo Baccio
Starring: Zach Braff, Rachel Bilson, Jacinda Barrett.
The ever loveable Zach Braff stars in this film about the fears and trappings that can go hand in hand with making a commitment to a single person. It is a complex offering with some great performances pulling the audience in a number of different directions. I imagine depending on where you are in your life will dictate which character you side with as the drama unfolds and Braff?s characters on the surface perfect life unfolds. Overall, the film is an emotionally engaging coming of age story about accepting and dealing with the pressures of adulthood. Worth a watch and maybe even a bit of a weep if you?re a girl or some kind of wuss? or me.
It was a bit difficult this month to pick out decent wedding films. Normally the titles and trailers of these sort of films completely repulse me. I haven?t actually seen the following films but based on the trailers I wouldn?t wish them on my worst enemy. Feel free to tell me I?m wrong but I never want to see?
The Accidental Husband, Bride Wars, Made of Honour, 27 Dresses, The Wedding Planner, Runaway Bride? would add Jason Biggs? Wedding Daze to the list but as far as I can tell he has just remade American Pie: The Wedding with a different cast.
