Life > January 31, 2008

By Aubrey Sitler | Staff writer

If asked to describe 27 Dresses in one word, I would have to go with “cute.” It was one of those films which left me, as well as the rest of the theater (filled mostly with women of all ages) smiling and, more importantly, talking.

Personally, I found the film to be the perfect way to pass a formerly bland Saturday evening.

The Grey’s Anatomy fan in me was ecstatic to finally get to see one of my favorite prime-time performers after the dry spell in the world of cable due to the writer’s strike.

But let’s face it: James Marsden, most widely known from his part in The Notebook, was reason enough to go see this romantic comedy.

As my friends and I talked about the film on our way back to campus, we realized that we only had good things to say about it.

Somehow, 27 Dresses managed to charm its way into our hearts with the help of the quirk and wit of its leading actors.

The saying “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” does not even begin to describe Jane Nichols (Katherine Heigl).

She devotes her life to two things.

The first is making life flawless for her unsuspecting boss whom she is ardently in love with (played by Edward Burns).

The other is planning other people’s weddings to the point of perfection.

When we first meet Jane, she is commissioning a cab driver to chauffeur her back and forth between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

While in the cab she frantically changes from a horrendous collared bridesmaid’s dress to a traditional Hindu dress.

Jane, we learn, is the maid of honor in two weddings which just happen to be on the same night.

As the movie progresses, we discover that these weddings are numbers 26 and 27 for Jane in her long resume as a bridesmaid.

While going for the bridal bouquet at the Manhattan wedding, Jane gets knocked to the floor .

A man who introduces himself as Kevin Doyle (James Marsden) helps her to her feet.

He takes her home and, in her annoyance, Jane accidentally leaves her other limb, her daily planner, in the cab.

Using this handy tool, Kevin, starts actively pursuing her by sending her flowers and calling her, much to Jane’s chagrin.

Soon after this, Jane’s sister, Tess (Malin Akerman), comes home to New York. Beautiful, selfish and shallow, Tess somehow manipulates her way into the life of Jane’s unrequited love.

After getting Jane’s boss to propose to her, Tess solicits Jane’s help with what she does best: she asks her sister to plan her wedding.

It is this incident which causes Jane to finally return Kevin’s calls.

Faced with the proposition of planning her sister’s wedding to the man she loves and finding herself in desperate need of someone to talk to, Jane meets up with Kevin at a bar.

Thus begins their friendship.

As the rest story unravels, we realize that there is much more than originally meets the eye.

The plot twists, not even necessarily in a predictable manner, characters are deceived and transformed.

Eventually, as is the way with this genre, some amount of closure and happiness ensue.Although deceived and taken advantage of, Jane must eventually make herself realize what she wants and how to get it.

Finally, Jane is able to stand up for herself and break out of her convoluted routine.

The concept for the film was definitely original enough to constitute a blockbuster budget and familiar Hollywood faces. At the same time I thought it slightly reminiscent of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

Of course, that is not meant to discredit to the movie.

After all, what girl doesn’t love to live vicariously through exceptionally beautiful actresses like Kate Hudson and Heigl who fall in love with the likes of Matthew McConaughey and Marsden?

Heigl’s performance was one of plausibility, her facial expressions, as always, adding to her character in ways that no other actress could ever pull off.

James Marsden is, like usual, the epitome of “The Guy.”

I did, however, find one minor complaint: considering that the screenplay was composed by Aline Brosh McKenna, the same screenwriter who gave us The Devil Wears Prada – I found it to be slightly lacking. Like in so many movies, the best lines were given away in the previews.

It did accomplish a predictable level of comedic wit often associated with the genre of romantic comedy, but it was nothing when compared with McKenna’s past work.

In this, I was slightly disappointed. I expected a higher level of comedic achievement.

Nevertheless, if you are the right person looking for this film, it comes to you highly recommended if you’re expecting a chick flick and nothing more.

Chick or not, let’s face it: everyone can use a “cute” movie every now and then.