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I Want to Marry Ryan Banks (2004) (TV) More at IMDbPro »

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9 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Sweet, romantic story, 18 January 2004
7/10
Author: kellyadmirer from New York City/Colorado Springs

I became a huge fan of Emma Caulfield during her all-too-brief stint on "Beverly Hills 90210." She played Jason Priestley's girlfriend during the mid-1990s, before 90210 went into terminal decline. When she disappeared from the show without a lot of explanation, I was sad, and basically stopped watching. She had a bright, vibrant energy in the role that was memorable. Emma went on to join "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" but has not done much else, and I catch her appearances when I can.

So, when I saw this re-pairing of Emma and Priestley in a romantic cable TV movie, I decided to give it a shot. It did not disappoint me. While it is the usual TV movie fluff, "Banks" has likable stars and an inoffensive plot. It pretends to show actual "real life" romantic complications behind the scenes of a reality show like "The Bachelor." Priestley stars as a young Hollywood star whose career is in trouble and must star in such a show in order to rejuvenate his career. Caulfield is one of his choices and an obvious top candidate from the moment of her introduction.

The way the Caulfield character is portrayed is a little too good to be true (she is entered for the show by someone else because she is too good to ever do it herself, etc.). Echoing her "integrity" thing from 90210, she is very much the "good girl" here, perhaps a little too good to be believable. Priestley's character, on the other hand, is made a little too dim to be believable in order to make the underlying conflict a little more blunt. Note, though, that the Priestley character is dim only around the Caulfield character at times, but pretty clever otherwise, and it is he who engineers the perfect ending.

No reason to give too many details away, suffice to say that Priestley's best friend/manager, played by Bradley Cooper, is the real lady's man of the two and the brains behind the whole operation. You can figure out the entire plot from those few details without straining too hard. The plot actually borrows a bit from an event that actually happened on the MTV "Real World" reality show, when a producer reportedly got involved with a participant, though that unintentional "real life" situation did not have anything like the happy ending shown here. The ending here, in fact, is a bit of a cop-out in my opinion, but shows the only possible outcome where nobody could get hurt or terribly embarrassed.

I'd like to think that Priestley remembered the same chemistry with Emma that I did when putting this film together, but then, she has great chemistry with everybody. While Jason is not at the top of his game here, it still is good to see him back at work after his tribulations of recent years. Cameron Bancroft also is around as part of the "90210" reunion.

Sweet, likable fluff, recommended for hopeless romantics and fans of the stars.

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5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
What a fun movie! So much better than I expected., 24 January 2004
10/10
Author: Becky from Fairfax, VA

I just finished watching it and was very entertained. It was so fun. We set TIVO to record it last week and were bored tonight to watch it tonight; I'm so glad I did! Only a few things could be changed (editing, cinematography, lighting) and it could be in the theaters.

I absolutely loved the fact that the host made snide remarks to the "Losers". That was great!

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Definitely watchable - and likable!, 26 November 2004
Author: ScREweD_RIdeR

I'm a sucker for romantic comedies so evidently, watching this movie (known under "The Reality of Love"), i couldn't help but like it. It is definitely typical in a sense, more or less predictable - the movie does manage to pull in a twist or two. The amusing thing about this is perhaps the somewhat "realistic" look at reality TV that the movie gives... Really gives you an inside on how "real" these shows are...

Emma Caulfield here is very sweet and natural, very different from her Buffy days. Her character, Charlie, is stereotypically the perfect girl that eventually attracts Bradley Cooper's character... Both actors I thought had some chemistry - perhaps not explosive in the sense but on-screen, these two looked like they had known each other for a long time.

Jason Priestly, I suppose didn't have to stretch too far to play Ryan Banks - its an almost autobiographical mirror self of his old days in BH90210, which I must say is a long long time ago. He has definitely shed the good looking image he once had - I had trouble liking him in the movie, not only because of his egotistical character but for him to supposedly be HOT, i just didn't buy the act.

Overall, I did love the movie - it's really just a sweet TV film, simple, predictable but devilishly charming.

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
better than i expected, 24 January 2004
7/10
Author: thrillcats from new york

Caught this movie on a cold, boring, Saturday night- and it hit the spot. Bradley Cooper, from Alias, caught my eye at first, and I actually got thru the whole movie- and was surprised at the end.

What was the most interesting is a behind the scenes look at a reality tv show, like the Bachelor. I think this movie could have been so much more, if it was alittle more realistic- like wouldn't the lead characters have cameras following them everywhere? regardless, I liked the love story and saw a true connection between Emma and Bradley. Perfect movie to watch, on cable, for free, when there isn't a baseball game on.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
The Sweetest film!, 30 July 2005
8/10
Author: novella221 from West Midlands, England

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This film was the sweetest and most easy watching film i've ever seen. I don't think it's a guy film but all those girlie's out there should get watching. The film was a lot better than I anticipated. It started a bit naff, especially when I saw Jason Priestly with long hair and pretending to be no more than 18 years old, when he is clearly in his thirties. But trust me it did get better.

Here in the UK the film is called 'The Reality of Love' but 'I Want to Marry Ryan Banks'is an equally good title, as the film is based around the show of that name-let me explain........

Ryan Banks is famous actor who's career is ready to be written off. Something drastic needs to be done. So loyal friend Todd, and agent to Ryan, thinks of a new reality TV series (I Want to Marry Ryan Banks) where Ryan lives in a house with 15 women, whom he must interact with and share dinner with etc. Every week America votes out those women they don't feel Ryan is bonding with well. The finalist is the one American viewers choose for Ryan to marry. Being a 'ladies man' or should I say, 'womaniser', Ryan isn't really into settling down, but the thought of getting his career back on track and also staying in a house with 15 women, it can only make him the happiest guy.

A certain young lady, named Charlie, catches the eye of Ryan throughout the film but she bonds well with Todd, Ryans agent who works closely with the girls when filming the show.This is where the complications begin because Charlie happens to be Americas favourite to win and marry Ryan Banks much against her wishes with the alternative being to face a million dollar lawsuit. Like all cheesy TV films, there is a happy ending.

This film is predictable but enjoyable. There are a few funny moments which can only make it the sweetest film I have watched recently. It's a film only fit for TV but is still watchable and cute!

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Really Cute!, 24 January 2004
Author: shimmermystic from New Hampshire

I watched this movie not expecting much but I actually really liked it. I thought it was interesting watching how reality shows were made and the fact that they used different aspects from different reality shows. The romance between the producer and Charlie was really nice and the ending was sweet. It was done very well and not how you would expect. This is a definite "girly" movie but very cute to watch if you're in the mood for a light-hearted romantic comedy!

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I Want to Marry Ryan B- You Can Have Him and the Film Too *1/2, 9 May 2009
4/10
Author: edwagreen from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Ridiculous film where two swinging college graduates move out to California and one becomes a movie star and the other his manager.

As 10 years pass, the star's popularity is decreasing so it is determined that there will be a television show where women will compete for his affection.

The film is obnoxious and ridiculous. The girls who vie for lover boy are made to look foolish. Only one girl seems to be the choice of the producer of the show. She is really an amateur up against some of the other women, but she is wholesome and brings good ratings to the show as well.

By the third scene you realize that the manager is falling for her.

We know that Ryan really was meant to be a bachelor. While the ending is somewhat cute, you really know where this was going.

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Horrible and predictable, 30 July 2006
1/10
Author: seagullsista from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This movie was obscenely obvious and predictable. The scenes were poorly written and acted even worse. Following the horrible scenes was the terrible script filled with pointless and poorly thought out lines. I would never suggest this movie to anyone who would have any sense in watching decent movies. This movie was not only with the same ideas as the show the Bachelor and Bachelorette but also contained many parts in which you would know what the next move and line was going to be without ever having to watched the movie before. The casting was fine but the actors played there characters horribly with more drama then should have been used and said lines in was that wanted you to change the channel quickly. As a note please don't watch this movie.

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Gotta Love I Want to Marry Ryan Banks, 25 February 2006
9/10
Author: lovinthishow from United States

Its incredibly predictable, the acting is that great, the plot is simple, but who can resist a fun romantic comedy-especially one where the underdog gets the girl! I loved Bradley Cooper in Alias and he does a great job in this movie. I also love how they make fun of the reality dating show on the film. In fact one of the contestants on I Want to Marry Ryan Bank is in fact one of the contestants that was snubbed on the Bachelor. Gotta love that Is this film going to be a romantic comedy classic? No. But every time i see it on Fox Family I can't resist watching it. Its a feel good movie that can't help make the viewer smile

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predictable but funny movie, 19 July 2005
9/10
Author: frankenberry from United States

Jason's delivery in performance is great and funny. He has a great comedic performance. Emma turns in a funny performance as well. She is cast again with her 90210 alumni buddy. They were great then as a comedic team. They are great again in this movie. Although you may see what's coming with story line, it's still entertaining enough to stick it out to the end. Thanks to the teaming of Jason Priestly and Emma Caulfield this movie is great fun. The actor playing the agent is adorable in personality and looks. His chemistry with Emma is just as good with Emma. His chemistry with Jason is right on as well. Believable as old buddies and work partners.

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