'The Wedding Date'


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The romantic comedy "The Wedding Date" dithers along pleasantly enough until near the end, when it expects us to digest and emotionally connect to a season's worth of "7th Heaven"-type family problems in about 12 minutes.

Kat (Debra Messing) is going to London for the wedding of her half sister (Amy Adams), but there's a major obstacle she must overcome. Namely, the groom's best man, her ex (Jeremy Sheffield), who rudely and inexplicably dumped her a few years back. She's determined to show up with a better man than the best man, so he'll regret what he did for the rest of his life (and maybe beg her to come back to him).

Universal Studios

'The Wedding Date'

C

The verdict: Though more bridesmaid than bride in the ever-growing roster of wedding movies, it's still mildly appealing.

Director: Clare Kilner
Starring: Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney
Run time: 90 minutes
Release date: Feb. 4, 2005
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content including dialogue
See showtimes

On the web
Official movie site
View the trailer
  -- Trailers require Quicktime

Rate "The Wedding Date":
  Go see it
  Make it a matinee
  Wait to rent
  Don't bother


Voter Limit: Once per Hour
View Poll Results

An available male in Manhattan (make that, an available male anywhere) is an elusive creature, so Kat hires a pro. For a mere $6,000 and the cost of a round-trip ticket, she can have the pleasure of luscious escort-for-hire Nick's (Dermot Mulroney) company for the entire wedding.

Mixing the new rules of sex with the old rules of romantic love, "The Wedding Date" may be less a date movie than a gal-pal flick (a gal-pal flick being considerably raunchier than a chick flick). Mulroney makes a fine fantasy figure, oozing sex, sensitivity and a manly sense of humor. And a hairstyle that's somehow vaguely '80s-ish, yet enhances his romance-novel cover-boy appeal.

In what could be called the Jennifer Anniston role, Messing is sprightly and adorably neurotic. I'm not a "Will & Grace" watcher, so I can't say if Kat is simply a variation on a theme, but I've always admired Messing's red hair on various red carpets, and it looks really great here.

Too bad the filmmakers felt compelled to give this sufficiently charming doodle some emotional heft by veering into "Four Weddings and a Funeral" territory. It only distracts you from "The Wedding Date's" own modest charms by reminding you how much better the earlier movie was.


Inside AJC.COM

Movie openings

"Cadillac Records" sings a familiar tune led by Beyonce portraying Etta James.

Cookie of the day

Chocolate-tipped butter cookies premieres today in our baker's dozen of goodies.

"Wonderful Life" Quiz

What did George wish for when he entered the drug store? Test your knowledge.

Weekend web fares

With more than 25 cities, the weekend travel deals are here. Example: NYC for $69.

Grammy nominations

Ludacris and Sugarland are some of the local acts who received Grammy nods.

A Christmas Story Quiz

How well do you know the cult holiday classic? Be careful or you will shoot your eye out.

Atlanta Holiday Guide

It's always a wonderful gift, so here are 10 books to give these holidays.

One-tank trip

Selma, Ala., is home to gracious architecture, large oaks and a beacon of history.

A Charlie Brown Quiz

Do you know what TV show was pre-empted to show this holiday classic? Test yourself.

Kudzu.com services Find the right people for the job

Keyword     Business Name