27 Dresses (2008)

Director:

Anne Fletcher

Writer (WGA):

Aline Brosh McKenna (written by)

Release Date:

18 January 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

This January, always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

Plot:

After serving as a bridesmaid 27 times, a young woman wrestles with the idea of standing by her sister's side as her sibling marries the man she's secretly in love with.

Plot Keywords:

Cab Driver | Rain | Best Friend | Wedding | Spare Ribs

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Katherine Heigl	...	Jane
Charli Barcena	...	Young Tess
James Marsden	...	Kevin
Malin Akerman	...	Tess
Peyton List	...	Young Jane (as Peyton Roi List)
Judy Greer	...	Casey
Jane Pfitsch	...	Cousin Lisa
Melora Hardin	...	Maureen
Brian Kerwin	...	Hal
Jennifer Lim	...	Bridal Salesgirl #1
Brigitte Bourdeau	...	Salesgirl Olga
Maulik Pancholy	...	Trent
David Castro	...	Pedro
Krysten Ritter	...	Gina
Danielle Skraastad	...	Bride Suzanne

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language, some innuendo and sexuality.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Finland:K-3 | Malaysia:U | Australia:PG | USA:PG-13 | Germany:o.Al. | Argentina:Atp | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Sweden:Btl | Ireland:12A | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Singapore:NC-16 | Taiwan:PG-12 | France:U | Singapore:PG (edited for re-rating) | New Zealand:PG (Original rating)

Filming Locations:

Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

Katherine Heigl is a few months younger than Malin Akerman, who plays her younger sister (by several years) in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jane and Kevin are in the Volvo in the rain storm and the car is shown from behind, both tail lights are working. When they hydroplane and go down the hill, only the left tail light is working.

Quotes:

Casey: Hey -- do you wanna come over to my place before the party? Some of the guys from shipping are coming and they're bringing tequila and bubble wrap.

Movie Connections:

References "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2000)

Soundtrack:

Hips Don't Lie

Very cute

For many the plot of this movie feels formulaic and revisited. Jane (Katherine Heigl) is the people-pleaser of the century. A somewhat spineless nice girl who can't say no to anyone, she has been a bridesmaid 27 times, often exceeding her duties in every wedding. For all her romantic yearnings, she can't seem to hook her boss, George (Ed Burns) whom she has been in love with for years. When her self-centered little sister Tess (Malin Akerman) comes in and manages to snag George, Jane once again capitulates to everyone's needs but her own. In comes Kevin (James Marsden), a newspaper columnist stuck covering weddings who yearns to break out and write about more important things. Under the pretense of covering George and Tess's wedding, he really is writing about Jane and her perpetual bridesmaid stints. Complications ensue etc. etc.

For me, what really made this movie was the performances. Katherine Heigl did an absolutely fantastic job playing the woman that I'm sure everyone has felt like at one time. She brought a lot of spice to what could have been a one-note role. James Marsden is also pitch-perfect as the cynical reporter, a foil to Jane. It helps that they have good fight-and-kiss chemistry.

Also, for me the story line was not as tired and recycled as people made it out to be. It had some fresh spin and I really enjoyed it. I also preferred the ending to this movie to many chick-flick comedies which leave things open-ended and almost unrealistic. 27 Dresses wraps up all the plot lines in one neat sequence that is a truly worthy finale.

All in all, as far as romances and rom-coms go, this one shot to the top of my list.