Amazon.co.uk Review
Katherine Heigl is delightful as Jane, a self-effacing Gal Friday so addicted to organizing weddings in her off time, that
27 Dresses opens with her character juggling two nuptials on the same night. A perpetual bridesmaid, Janes hobby is discovered by a matrimony reporter named Kevin (James Marsden), who hides a romantic side behind his wall of cynicism. While Kevin gradually develops feelings for Jane, the latters superficial sister, Tess (Malin Akerman), pursues George (Edward Burns), Janes boss and the object of her love. This romantic circle could go on forever, except that Jane is unexpectedly moved by Kevin despite her general irritation with him and without knowing that hes on the verge of sandbagging her with a ridiculing article in his newspaper. The situation is absurd, but the emotions are not.
Heigl is very good, rooted in a long tradition of comely comediennes playing characters who fly under the radar of life. She makes Janes pain palpable and conveys her characters inability to say no without making her look unappealing or weak. Marsden perfectly captures the part of a rumpled, underdressed writer with repressed passions, Akerman is as convincingly shrewish here as she was in
The Heartbreak Kid, and Burns is fine as one of those guys so busy saving the world he barely pays attention to the people in his life. The script by Aline Brosh McKenna (
The Devil Wears Prada) is fun if predictable, and Anne Fletchers direction is vibrant.
--Tom Keogh
Synopsis
KNOCKED UP's Katherine Heigl stars in this romantic comedy about a selfless young woman who is trapped in the role of perennial bridesmaid. Set in New York City, the film opens with Jane (Heigl) racing by cab to appear in two friends' weddings in the same night. She is the maid of honour for both fetes, and she rushes back and forth. She meets Malcolm (James Marsden), a cynical young man who, unbeknownst to her, writes for a newspaper's wedding column. Malcolm is intrigued by the sheer number of times Jane has played bridesmaid, and he secretly decides to write a story about her. To further complicate Jane's life, her younger sister Tess (Malin Akerman) has just come to town and ensnared Jane's longtime crush, George (Edward Burns). When George and Tess become engaged, Jane faces the humiliating prospect of playing bridesmaid in the wedding of her sister and the man she loves. Meanwhile, Malcolm continues hounding Jane, and Jane's life and closet soon explode in a taffeta-tangled mess that forces her to make some big changes.
Heigl is a pleasure to watch, as she has the kind of crowd-pleasing, no-nonsense presence that could ground any film, so 27 DRESSES greatly benefits from her comedic skill and charm. The film features all of the hallmarks of chick flick fare, such as the wacky best friend, a dress-up sequence, and obnoxious but strangely attractive love interest. Heigl deserves comparisons to Julia Roberts for her sheer likability, and like PRETTY WOMAN, women will are likely to greatly enjoy 27 DRESSES due to the central performance, fantasy elements, and the attractive lady parading around in numerous different outfits.