Monday, March 10, 2008

27 Dresses

Saturday night I went to a superfun GNO. We ate yummy Red Robin and drank sugary drinks to our hearts content, then gorged ourselves on Sweet Treats ice cream (formerly known as Maggie Moos) and girl talk until it was time for this:



I love reviewing a movie that's been in the theaters for awhile. Then I feel like I can say whatever I want and not ruin it for too many people. Everyone's pretty much seen it at this point.

So I went into it not expecting much. I had only heard very luke warm opinions of it and thought it was just going to be another lame cliche of a romantic comedy, one that was probably a waste to see in the theaters (unless of course you're with girlfriends, then it's always worth it.) And it was a cliche romantic comedy, but it was hardly lame and had its moments of pure comedy, which, in my book, makes it worthy of seeing again.

The first thing I liked (although found kind of odd) was that I was wrong in my assumption that Katherine Heigl's character, Jane, would be the typical confident, hot blonde that can get any guy she wants but finally finds Mr. Right. Not only was she brunette(ish), she was a sweet, average girl with insecurities and an unrequited love. But it was believable. She played it well and by the time they brought in her ultrablonde little sister who was supposed to be the "hot one," Jane was looking like, well, Plain Jane, but still beautiful in a natural, human way. The sister (who I spent the entire movie trying to figure out where I'd see her before, only to come home and Google it and find she's been in nothing I've ever heard of) seemed an odd choice for the "hot one" and it seemed even odder to me that Katherine Heigl would ever be the "less attractive one" but it worked. It all worked.

So Jane fell in love with weddings as a child when she was picked to carry her cousins' train down the aisle. Fast forward 20 some years later and Jane's all grown up, wedding hopping to each of her friends' weddings, some on the same night. She helps every one of her friends with every detail of their wedding, even holding their dresses up when they have to pee on the big day. This results in the 27 bridesmaid dresses, which she keeps, every one. (But seriously, who has that many close friends?) Of course Jane dreams of when it will be her turn, but is perfectly content in helping everyone else in the meantime.

Enter Kevin (James Marsden), a journalist who writes the "commitment" section in the paper under the pseudonym Malcolm (Jane's favorite writer in Jane's favorite section.) They bump into each other at a wedding, he introduces himself as Kevin, she has no idea who he really is, they don't like each other at first. (Cliche #1) He winds up with her planner accidentally, and upon reading it, gets a great idea for a story that would no doubt get him promoted. She is his new project. (Cliche #2) He starts hounding her to no end. In the meantime, she's still pining after her boss (George, played by Edward Burns) who has no clue how she feels about him.

Enter Tess, Jane's little sister that she practically raised after their mom died when they were young. Tess is now ridiculously gorgeous (although in a very unconventional way, I thought) and every guy drools when she passes. She is coming to visit for a few weeks (from Paris, I think, where she lives) and immediately sets her sights on George, to Jane's horror. Of course, Jane doesn't let on that she's dying inside. Then of course you have the point that Jane finds out Kevin "lied" about his name, and eventually that she was his project, and all the other stuff that is completely predictable. Seen. It. All. Before.

It's at this point that I'm thinking, "Okay, it's nothing spectacular, just sit back and enjoy it for what it is." And then came the bar scene. Jane and Kevin get caught in a monsoon and have to run to a nearby bar to wait it out. They end up doing shots to kill the time, getting drunk and, of course, hilarious. They start making witty, biting remarks to each other, and when "Benny and the Jets" by Elton John comes on the Jukebox, they start singing loudly, arguing over the lyrics. They're both wrong, and the lyrics they sing had us howling. Soon they're singing and dancing on the bar and the whole bar is singing along. By the time it cut to the next scene (the token we-just-got-drunk-so-now-we-find-each-other-irresistible scene) we were still stifling snickers.

After that the laughs came more and I was thoroughly enjoying myself. By the time it was over, I was pleased and surprised. Surprised that I liked it as much as I did, pleased that there were a few surprises amongst the romantic comedy cliches. All in all it was fun, the perfect end to a wonderful girls' night out.

My only complaint was this: Of the 27 dresses, one was a tux. Pants. Not a dress. That would be 26 dresses, one tux. Details, people, details.

13 comments:

Jan said...

Can hardly wait to rent this one Alicia. Sounds really good. Glad you had a fun night out too. Is the new ice cream place better than Maggies? I was bummed that Danyielles custard shop closed. Were looking for a good place to go get a treat sometime. Thanks for your heads up on all the entertainment. Your mind is amazing.

Alicia said...

Aw thanks, Jan. Actually, we were all a little disappointed in the ice cream. We missed Maggie Moos.

meohmyers said...

I'm still trying to stifle that snicker at the bar scene. You had me laughing out loud again at your description! "...electric boobs..." soooo funny!

Loved your review! Loved the movie, the company, the food! Loved the GNO! Can't wait to do it again!

tharker said...

A good GNO is always a treat! So glad that you were able to go out and have a great time with the girls. I'm excited to rent this one too. I always love your movie reviews. It does sound like there were a lot of cliche's in it, but it still sounds cute.

I miss Maggie Moo's Better Batter (yellow, not chocolate) Yum!

Washington Rimmasch Family said...

It was such a treat to see you guys that night. You all looked so nice and like you were having a blast. I know I keep saying this but really we do need to get together! Thanks for the review I have probably checked your site three times to see what you had to say about this flick. And of course as usual, you didn’t disappoint. I am so excited to rent this now. So seriously call me!

Lee said...

I just saw that on a GNO last week, I loved it. And you have such a great talent for writing. You should do the reviews for the paper so you can make the big bucks. :)

Shayla said...

I really liked this one, too. Of course, the company was great, the food was yummy and overall, it was so much fun! My only complaint for the night...? That I got that ice cream instead of saving room for popcorn. By the end of the movie I kept wondering...will they all think I'm a pig if I slip out and get popcorn for the last ten minutes? :-)

Alicia said...

Shayla, you are hilarious! We wouldn't have thought anything of it!

Sara said...

I loved your review of the movie, the "Electric boobs" still has me rolling in laughter. The whole night was so fun and I am glad that you were able to come. Shayla, Kim and you made it a most wonderful GNO. Thanks for being such a great friend. I also loved the fact the title 27 dresses bugged you so much. Call it what it is right "26 dresses and a suit". Oh and we should rent Becoming Jane and do a girls night in.
Sara

Alicia said...

Sara, I'm there! (You mean you don't want to see it in the theater? ;)

debsters said...

You really do have an amazing memory for detail. I walk out of a movie and only remeber if I liked it or not, no details retained in this mind. You've got to love a good movie, I'll put it on my list of must-see's.

Noelle said...

i can't wait to see this. i've early heard good things about this movies. i actually like cliche chick flick movies. and the fact that it made you laugh makes me more excited to see it.
i love your writing style. you really do need to look into writing for the papers.

Kristi said...

I enjoyed this movie, as well. Great review! Great blog. I was supposed to get off the computer about 20 minutes ago and pack the kids' stuff for tomorrow, but I thought "I wonder what Alicia wrote? I'll just check real quick." You do have a talent with words!