Sunday, February 13, 2005

The Wedding Date

My roommate wanted to go see the Wedding Date. I don't know about you, but I generally try not to see any wedding movies at all. You know they're going to be about unrealistic romance and dealing with those trying relationships with friends and family. But I suppose the Valentine's weekend wouldn't be complete without a movie like this.

Dermot Mulroney was in "My best friend's wedding" with Carmen Diaz, what five years ago or more? Anyway, I've always liked him in a tux. Here he plays an escort who agrees to go with Debroah Messing, Kay, to London for her sister's wedding. Her EX will be there and she wants her family to believe she's found a new man and is happy.

I'm not sure that these two have great chemistry on screen and the storyline is a flipped "Pretty Woman" with Mulroney deciding whether or not he's falling for Messing and wants to be paid or not paid.

The English countryside is beautiful and without rain. Which actually explains most of this movie. It's not very believable. And again those darn happy endings that couldn't possibly ever happen. But, I guess, if you're going to believe in love at any time of year, this is the time. The supporting cast is cute, some funny moments, but it felt like Four Weddings and a Funeral without the original story. But like it tried to be entertaining.

I give Dermot's ass a very nice rating. And he's sexier than sexy and a confident, smart and very kissable supporting man. So finally some eye candy for women. So if you're alone on Valentine's Day, see this movie and pretend he's your date. After all he won't talk back, hurt your feelings and you can get a good night's sleep without getting a neck cramp from sleeping on a guy's arm. Well, that's my optomistic two cents.

Worth the money rating: $$ 1/2

Hitch

This is the weekend for cheesy romances to come out in time for Valentine's Day. So I was expecting some really bad movies to come out. But I got caught up in Will Smith's charm and found myself laughing and enjoying this movie along with the packed 6:15p.m. crowd opening night on the Upper West Side.

Basically Will Smith plays Alex 'Hitch' Hitchins who's a date therapist of sorts. He helps men who can't help themselves get noticed by the women they adore. He doesn't advertise in the paper but he's accredited with many New York area weddings. He helps the men over the course of the first three dates, get noticed and get that first kiss. The rest is up to them.

On a night out with one of his married friends he meets Eva Mendes, Sara, a reporter for a daily gossip rag. He tries out his own suave and calculated moves on her and their dates end up being disasters- or do they? Mendes ends up having to choose between her job and her man due to a misunderstanding. Isn't that always the plot foiler in relationships on screen and off? We get to see how far Hitch is willing to go for the woman he loves and whether or not he really is a "Date Doctor".

Unfortunately some of the great sceens were on the previews but the supporting actors and fun mood of the film evens that out. Okay, it's a happy ending of sorts. So if you're a love pessimist don't go see it. But if you're on the border like me, then you can believe it can all have a happy ending for a few hours.

Worth the money rating: $$$ 1/2