 KSL Movie Show Review:...
27 DRESSES **1/2 By Steve Salles Standard Examiner movie critic GO: if you’ll love Katherine Heigl for better or worse. DON’T GO: If you don’t want your Heigl loyalty tested or if you’re asking “Who the heck is Katherine Heigl?” How appropriate that actress Katherine Heigl just got married two days before Christmas at Deer Valley’s Stein Eriksen Lodge (BTW, the bridesmaids wore red) and now she’s starring in a her own movie about the perennial bridesmaid who’s longed for something more. Riding on the taffeta train of the wildly successful “Knocked Up,” Heigl goes old-school romantic comedy this time as Jane - the perfect little helper when it comes to planning the BIG day. She has the worst collection of bridesmaid’s dresses you’ll ever see as she’s filled an entire closet with these garish costumes that I’m convinced are purposely hideous to make the brides look that much better. Unfortunately, the dresses may be the most creative aspects of this movie. Jane works for the clueless George (Edward Burns) the editor of a hip outdoor sports magazine. She anticipates his every need as the dutiful assistant and has developed a blushing crush for the big lug over the years. Her comedic best friend, caustic life analyzer and the film’s resident tramp, Casey (Judy Greer) pushes Jane to grow a backbone, but before she can, Jane’s flighty, younger sister Tess (“Heartbreak Kid’s” Malin Akerman) comes to visit and George falls instantly head over heels. So now Jane faces the ultimate insult - having to plan her baby sister’s wedding to the man she truly loves. Ouch. In the meantime, Jane meets Kevin (James Marsden) at a wedding, of course. Only she doesn’t know that he writes the “wedding and commitments” column for her favorite New York newspaper. He personally hates weddings and marriage, calling them the last form of legal slavery, but sees Jane’s “always a bridesmaid” story as a way to get off that beat. So, as per formula, he sees an opportunity to take advantage before he really gets to know her, while she insists he’s just a creep and, as per formula, wants nothing to do with him. But over time . . . well . . . you can guess the rest, but I must admit, them singing a drunken version of Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” in a raucous bar was a highlight. I also must admit that I did enjoy Katherine Heigl’s performance here, plus Judy Greer’s gritty insights and James Marsden proves once again that he can bring the laughs. I just wish the story and the writing had been more unique and that the movie wasn’t forced to hang onto the hems of those goofy dresses so desperately. So, in a word, the film’s fun, just heavily formulaic. THE FILM: “27 Dresses” OUR RATING: **1/2 STARRING: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Edward Burns, Judy Greer and Malin Akerman BEHIND THE SCENES: Directed by Anne Fletcher (“Step Up”) - filmed in Rhode Island and New York. PLAYING: Running time: 107 minutes MPAA RATING: PG-13
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