27 Dresses [2008] - DVD (Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Edward Burns, Judy Greer, Malin Akerman - Dir: Anne Fletcher)

Katherine Heigl is delightful as Jane, a self-effacing Gal Friday so addicted to organizing weddings in her off time, that 27 Dresses opens with her character juggling two nuptials on the same night. A perpetual bridesmaid, Jane's hobby is discovered by a matrimony reporter named Kevin (James Marsden), who hides a romantic side behind his wall of cynicism. While Kevin gradually develops feelings for Jane, the latter's superficial sister, Tess (Malin Akerman), pursues George (Edward Burns), Jane's boss and the object of her love. This romantic circle could go on forever, except that Jane is unexpectedly moved by Kevin despite her general irritation with him and without knowing that he's on the verge of sandbagging her with a ridiculing article in his newspaper. The situation is absurd, but the emotions are not.

Heigl is very good, rooted in a long tradition of comely comediennes playing characters who fly under the radar of life. She makes Jane's pain palpable and conveys her character's inability to say no without making her look unappealing or weak. Marsden perfectly captures the part of a rumpled, underdressed writer with repressed passions, Akerman is as convincingly shrewish here as she was in The Heartbreak Kid, and Burns is fine as one of those guys so busy saving the world he barely pays attention to the people in his life. The script by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) is fun if predictable, and Anne Fletcher's direction is vibrant. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews of 27 Dresses [2008]

HH

18th August 2008

Not even on a plane
This was shown on a plane I was on - usually you watch the in-flight movie to the end as there's not all that much to do. With this one - I just couldn't. Sorry, might be ok if this is your first chick-flick ever (even for a chick movie it is dreadful) or if you're thirteen. As for my opinion the acting was dreadful, the conversation terrible, the script forseeable (even for a chick-flick) and just no point to the movie. I usually like chick-flicks for light entertainment - here the entertainment was missing (towards the end most of the passengers had tossed their headsets)... Would give it NO STARS if possible.

just me x
Seattle, WA USA
13th August 2008

One of the best chick flicks ever created.
This movie has got to be one of the best girlie films ever. It is funny, moving with brilliant acting, especially by Katherine Heigl. This is the kind of film that you wouldn't really see with your parents but would be perfect for a slumber party or if you're hanging out with your friends. Yes, it is predicatable, but arent't all romantic films?
In my opinion, definatley one for the movie cupboard.

Afro Matt
Somerset, England
7th August 2008

Frustratingly Flawed
I love rom-coms. I loved The Devil Wears Prada (even though I got blackmailed into seeing it, when I did I found it to be very good indeed. And I love Katherine Heigl. I think she is fantastically talented. It is for these reasons that I was looking forward to McKenna's newly penned work 27 Dresses. Unfortunately in spite of Heigl's best efforts this film frustrates more than it pleases. Marsden is solid, but the depth of his character isn't. The dialogue is snappy to begin with but when it comes to any emotional depth it seems that the fast forward button is pressed. We never really understand why Heigl's character eventually falls for Marsden's after so much verbal sniping and the 'explanatory' scene is patronising and hideously contrived. Heigl is superb, though, and raises this two star film up to three. Her comic timing is brilliant, as is her repartee with Malin Akerman. The opening ten minutes are wonderful. Unfortunately in the end, good ideas and an encouraging start give way to sloppy plot and little focus, with a seeming emphasis of the slick and snappy over a heart that would make this movie at least twice as good.

The 'Making of...' serves to throw up the ideas that McKenna was trying to get across - a romantic relationship that didn't start the easy way and as such serves as a nice comparison to a final product that never quite delivers where it needs to.

Shame.

Smachel
London, UK
31st July 2008

Forgettable
I saw this on a plane, by the end I seemed to be the only one still wearing headphones. It was vacuous, annoying and no-one was likeable. But on a plane there's not much else to do. So forgettable I had to read the synopsis to remind myself.

Tammy Sandy
uk
12th July 2008

fantastic chick flick
All I can say is watch it!!! Absolutely fab!! loved it!! I cryed, laughed a typical boy meets girl, if you love the typical chick flick and a wedding theme this is for you!! I am definately adding this to my dvd collection. enjoy!!!!