Patrick Dempsey (age 42) has a romantic aura. How else can you explain a man with such a nose and small beady eyes being so sexy? Just his presence in this film devoid of any advertisement portends box office success. And so it should. I'm pleased to announce that British director, Paul Weiland (of the 'Mr Bean' series), has managed to make a lovely product for Spring romance. My rating: $8.00 (1.-9.).
Tom (Dempsey) and Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) meet in college when he arrives dressed as Bill Clinton during a college Halloween party expecting to trist with Hannah's roomate -- she doesn't warn Hannah. Awakening in disgust, Hannah 'maces' him with her perfume. Tom's reputation is for bedding everything female for which he admits guilt readily. After they have a flirty little conversation in the dorm's living room, Tom becomes entranced with Hannah's ability to resist his charms and insult his nose, his personality, and his morals. ***Makeup artists take note: the pancake makeup is obvious but still well enough done that Dempsey DOES look like he did at 20!!
Ten years later and they remain best friends. She seems accepting of his continued need to buzz around every flower in his path. She's secure in her job in art restoration. But it's obvious to everyone but them that their relationship holds the best part of monogomy. They can't wait to be together. They love the same things. And they read each other's thoughts and finish each other's sentences like an old married couple.
Tom has his 3 basketball buddies to exploring his feelings with. Felix (Khadeem Hardison) the married father of one who relishes married life. Dennis (Chris Messina), the single divorce lawyer -- need I explain more? Gary (Richmond Arquette -- brother of all the better known Arquette sibs) is the macho man in touch with his feminine side who supports friend, Tom. Kevin Sussman (Ugly Betty's boyfriend) has the ignominious job as the geeky guy who tries to crash the guys' games every week wearing too tiny shorts. You can his his 'outline' if you need more description. He interjects humor here and there but stays on the court.
Hannah goes to Scotland for her job. There, she meets a handsome Scot named Colin (34 year-old Kevin McKidd late of 'Journeyman'), whose familiy owns the largest Scotch whisky distillery in Scotland, owns a castle for each season of the year, and is a Duke. Hence you get those trailer scenes in the bar where Dempsey takes out the waiter-- twice. Unfortunately, Hannah's time away has given Tom an epiphany about his true love for her. He agrees to be the "maid of honor" to break up the wedding (do I get echoes of "My Best Friend's Wedding"?)
So there you have the set up for the rest of the romance and comedy. Hannah's bridesmaids add their own humor. Busy Phillips (the 'insecure' blonde in 'White Chicks' -- also Heath Ledger's daughter's godmother) plays Hannah's cousin who got 'played' by Tom and now hates him. She's the reason he schedules a sex-toy party for the wedding shower and why he's wearing the tiny Kilt in the highland games. Kathleen Quinlan plays Hannah's wise mother. Selma Stern does an excellent performance as the elderly grandmother who wears light-up "excitement beads" as a necklace. Sydney Pollack has a couple of scenes as Tom's wealthy dad who marries and divorces like some change shoes. (I thinks we're supposed to see why Tom has commitment issues.) There are many more.
Check out the big scene in all the trailers where Tom tells the guy on the couch to stop looking at Hannah in lingerie. Isn't in the movie. Also, when Hannah's telling Tom she's leaving for Scotland to stay, there's a split second where the camera angle changes and Hannah's voice says, "To be with Colin", but her mouth doesn't move!!
New screenwriter, Adam Sztykiel (say that 3 times fast), wrote the story and collaborated with the writing team of Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont ('Josie and the Pussycats'/'Surviving Christmas') for the screenplay. The rating is 'PG-13' and it runs about 1 hour 40 minutes. Nothing truly offensive for younger kids if you can't find a sitter. HAPPY ENDING!!