License To Wed (3/10)
posted in Movie Reviews |
What could have been an entertaining enough movie falls a bit on its face. While the central setup of the movie may be a little bit inventive and unique, it plays out in such by-the-numbers ways that it can’t help but be boring. Featuring a mostly excellent cast, most of the material is wasted on them. If you like really obvious romantic comedies without much of the charm, witty dialog or chemistry magic, then this movie is for you. If not, then skip it and see the great many superior romantic comedies.
Writing: Like I said, the writing is very weak. It’s like it was an idea that was kicked together into a script over the weekend and quickly thrown into production. How it attracted the cast and studio support is beyond me. Then again, most films of this nature are profitable to the studio no matter what, as they don’t cost a whole lot to produce, and will typically make back what they cost and more between theatrical and video performance.
Production: Again, most everything in this production is by-the-numbers and very uninspired. The one bit they got right was the two completely creepy robot babies that the engaged couple must practice on. There are moments of them on screen which achieve pretty funny results. Director Ken Kwapis can, and has, done far better material than this.
Cast: Mandy Moore is an OK actress. She fits well into these kinds of roles. John Krasinski is mildly amusing at times, but ultimately falls pretty flat. Robin Williams is autopiloting his typical shtick. Josh Flitter is actually the stand-out actor in the film, who lands the best comedic moments. I quite liked him in Nancy Drew, and he pulls off the amusingly aggressive kid role well in this film, too. Eric Christian Olsen and Christine Taylor, two very talented comedic actors, are pretty much wasted in tacked-on supporting roles.
Music: Christophe Beck’s score is serviceable, and a bit inventive when it wants to be. Nothing great, but good enough.
