It was inevitable that an actor known as “McDreamy” to women everywhere would fall into a pattern of starring in mediocre romantic comedies, but who knew it would be so soon?
Poor Patrick Dempsey. Made of Honor is one of his first film roles after the success of Grey’s Anatomy, but it is a painfully predictable film that centers on two longtime friends who don’t realize how perfect they are for each other. Remember Harry and Sally? Made of Honor is not even comparable, though it does lift part of its storyline (and most of its clichés) from that classic romantic comedy.
Tom (Dempsey, Enchanted) is a womanizer and commitment-phobe who has a new woman every day of the week. He can afford to be a jerk, though, because he is extremely wealthy. The only woman he has ever truly connected with is his best friend since college, Hannah (Michelle Monaghan, The Heartbreak Kid).
They go to lunch together daily, know each other’s coffee orders and split their desserts religiously. They are even each other’s backup dates for weddings and family functions. While they dance at Tom’s father’s wedding, we get the first glimpse we get of how little chemistry the actors actually have with each other, even though the context of the scene implies there should be sparks.
Not long after the wedding, when Hannah has to travel to Scotland for six weeks for her job, Tom has a hard time without her and begins to realize he may be in love with her. By the time she gets back, though, she has met Colin (Kevin McKidd, Hannibal Rising). After only a month of whirlwind romance, the couple decides to get married.
Hannah appoints Tom as her maid of honor, and all hell breaks loose when an ex-flame of his who is out for revenge, Melissa (Busy Philipps, Dawson’s Creek), turns out to be one of the other bridesmaids. She sets Tom up throughout the movie, pulling stunts like hiring a sex toy service for the bridal shower (which Hannah’s grandmother attends) and signing him up for the traditional pre-wedding Scottish competition of log throwing (and making sure he has the shortest kilt in the bunch). It doesn’t help that Colin is as strapping as he is rich and good-looking, and puts Tom to shame when it comes to any physical activity.
These tactics work in terms of embarrassing Tom, but for any of them to succeed in making the audience laugh, Dempsey would first need comedic timing.
Dempsey does manage to convey some charm as Tom tries to subtly convince Hannah she is making a rash decision. Unfortunately, she mistakes some of his more heartfelt confessions of love as suggestions for her vows.
In a movie as predictable as this, it is crucial to have memorable characters portrayed by talented actors. Made of Honor fails in this respect, with under-developed supporting roles, a totally flat leading lady and a leading man whose talents translate better on the small screen.
courtney.pomeroy@yahoo.com
RATING: 2 STARS OUT OF 5
