Columbia Pictures and Original Film Productions present a PG-13 rated, 101 minute romantic comedy directed by Paul Weiland and starring Patrick Dempsey (Tom), Michelle Monaghan (Hannah), Kevin McKidd (Colin McMurray) with Kadeem Hardison (Felix), Chris Messina (Dennis), Richmond Arquette (Gary), Busy Phillips (Melissa), Whitney Cummings (Stephanie), Emily Nelson (Hilary), Kathleen Quinlan (Joan), Selma Stern (Grandma Pearl), Sydney Pollack (Thomas Sr.), James Sikking (Reverend Foote) and Kevin Sussman (Nerdy Tiny Shorts Guy in Gym).
The time is Halloween 1999 at Cornell University when Bill is searching for Monica, bumps into Hillary but ends up with Hannah, the wrong roommate and eventually gets blinded from here to eternity as Tom. You'll absolutely follow that line after you see the film! Any way that is how boy meets girl, girl likes boy, boy is a ladies man but flash forward to 10 years later girl and boy are best friends. Hannah as other friends, Tom has his buddies that meet at the gym for basketball, along with a throw in character that the director added for cheap laughs, the nerd. After the first one or two moments of the man in short shorts and his skinny little legs the point was made and it should have been time to move on, but it wasn't! Tom, a man of many rules with the women, no back to backs, no coming back to his place, is a man with one thing on his mind and most men know what that is! But, when it comes to Hannah she is his ultimate buddy and confidant. A man with commitment issues, Tom could only say, "I love you" to the four legged characters in the movie. Probably stemming from issues in his home life since his father was now on marriage number six.
The writers seemed to have stolen the plot in this film from "My Best Friend's Wedding" but turned the cliché' around making the main character, a man. Wonderfully played by Dempsey, he is the only true saving grace to this story. Hannah must head to Scotland and will be away for six Sunday's, causing Tom to face a reality check that he indeed misses her while she's gone. Ok, so who falls in love in six weeks and decides to get married? Apparently, after being saved on the rainy hillsides of Scotland from a drove of cows by a man on horseback, Hannah decides to marry the wealthy Scottish Duke who happens to own McMurray Distilleries.
Returning back to New York with big news of which Tom has news for her, she drops the bomb by introducing Colin to him, asking if he'd be her MOH, short for maid of honor. Of course, he can't say no to his best friend. Along with his team of buddies he schemes to break up Colin and Hannah, hopefully causing her to come back to him. Along the way, Tom meets the other bridesmaids, which has its funny moments but not too many to write home about. Even when Tom is asked to spend some quality time with Colin, the writers once again bring nothing original to the court other than a few dunks, for instance the moment in the men's shower that tickles the bone.
Tom eventually tries several tactics to steal the bride, in New York and Scotland with no avails but at least the efforts have turned his eyes open to the thought of marriage. Even during the Highland Games while in Scotland, it couldn't even take a short skirt to win the day. It is the stealing of a kiss when the bridesmaids take Hannah to a local pub that makes thoughts form doubt within bad timing that sheds the light of the possibilities of true love and trust being lost forever. But do best friends ever get over it or deal with it?
With the help of animal instincts, the day is rescued once again by a man on a horse, making the co-op for parakeets and the Scottish sash something to be desired by only the people of Scotland. So much for the perfect guy, he does not get his not so perfect girl but hey at least grandma was glowing! As for Monica and Bill, well they finally found true love and live happily ever after!
The movie is definitely cute and will appeal to the female audience but it doesn't tend to live up to many other romance comedies. I think the cast along with the writing is a bit at fault. Dempsey, once again, does a big screen film justice. He carried "Enchanted" into success and thankfully gives this movie its charm. Monaghan, was likeable as Hannah but lacked the glitter and finesse that a leading lady should possess. Remember, Julia Roberts, she made you fall in love with her, Monaghan approaches that pinnacle but falls flat. The rest of the supporting cast were adequate to heir roles adding a bit of drama, laughter and anticipation to an over done story filled with many cliché' moments. The director should have used the Grandma character a bit more since she drew in several good laughs from the audience. It is truly a film that will reach out to the romantic die-hards in the theatre but will most likely do better outside the box office when it hits the DVD shelves. Thankfully though it had a good score, some adorable cameos by dogs and some absolutely magnificent cinematography. It will make you smile, bring some joy into your spirit and maybe a tear to your eye but still doesn't come close to originality. Still though, look for it to have a decent performance thanks to all the lonely hearts looking for true love.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.