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27 Dresses

Starring: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden
Director: Anne Fletcher
Genre: Comedy
Year: 2008
Rating: 2 / 5

Katherine Heigl has been in and out of the news over the last few years, for issues ranging from her contract status with Grey’s Anatomy to her decision to remove herself from Emmy consideration this year, citing a lack of quality material. All the while, she has gradually been increasing her Hollywood profile, beginning with her lead role in 2007’s highly successful Knocked Up. Back for more in 2008, Heigl delivers 27 Dresses, the story of a young woman who has been a bridesmaid – you guessed it – 27 times. The movie is a rather run-of-the-mill romantic comedy, despite veering off-course via some extremely uncomfortable scenes mid-movie, and Heigl is not yet accomplished enough to salvage this film from the merely ordinary.

Jane (Katherine Heigl) has a difficult time saying “No” to people, a fact that is emphasized early in the movie. Maid of Honor for two of her best friends on the same night, Jane shuttles back and forth across the city while ostensibly managing both ceremonies. Both brides heap praise upon her, as Jane’s willingness to do just about anything has allowed these brides to thoroughly enjoy their special day. Writer Kevin (James Marsden) happens to witness Jane’s back-and-forth jaunts that night, and he inadvertently ends the night in possession of her day planner. While skimming through it and subsequently meeting up with her to return it, he comes up with the idea to use her as the basis of a story. After all, a woman who has been a bridesmaid 27 times at the age of thirty must have an interesting story to tell!

Despite participating in more than two dozen weddings, Jane has not been nearly as lucky in love. She has spent most of her career as the assistant to the highly successful, too-good-to-be-true George (Edward Burns), who is not-so-subtly the object of her affections. Just as she is finally gathering up the nerve to make her move, her younger sister Tess, in town for a visit, catches her boss’s eye. A whirlwind romance ensues, with Jane uncomfortably caught in the middle, and she soon finds herself facing the likelihood of a twenty-eighth bridesmaid dress! Are Tess and George really right for each other? Are Jane and Kevin? In a movie where a number of characters stoop to new lows, it’s entirely possible that none of these people deserve eternal happiness.

Some might say that Katherine Heigl’s Jane is merely a slight twist on the Izzy character she has made famous on the small screen, and there is some truth to that. That said, any success or failure of the film rests on the shoulders of its threadbare script, which is clearly not up to the task. James Marsden’s Kevin may have a few layers to him, but George is utter cardboard and not worth a second thought. The ladies, especially Tess, have some truly unredeemable moments, making one wonder why two seemingly good catches like Kevin and George would want anything to do with them. Heigl herself has declared that she has no immediate intentions of quitting her day job, which is a good thing, because 27 Dresses shows us that she is not yet ready for the big time.

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG-13 for language.
Running Time: 111 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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