Movie review: ‘27 Dresses’ full of laughs

The plot of “27 Dresses” can almost be summed up by the old phrase, “always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” There is a little more to it than that, but not much of it is any fresher. Yet despite its moth-eaten premise, “27 Dresses” manages to be a funny, and fun, feel-good movie.

Jane (Katherine Heigl) is a wedding addict who got such a thrill when she was 8 years old from helping a cousin whose wedding dress ripped just before the ceremony that she has been helping friends and acquaintances get married ever since.

It soon becomes clear that Jane can’t say no to anyone about anything. She has lost all sense of self in her desire to help others be happy on their special day. Not only that, but she is in love with her boss George, Ed Burns, — another person for whom she does everything. Of course, he is completely blind to her feelings.

Two events happen in close proximity that cause Jane’s world to fall apart. Kevin (James Marsden), a reporter covering weddings, notices that she ran back and forth all night between two weddings, and, unbeknownst to her, he decides to write a story about her. Plus, Jane’s beautiful younger sister Tess, Malin Akerman, comes to visit and immediately steals the heart of Jane’s boss.

Before too long, Jane is planning Tess’s wedding to George, with Kevin hanging around asking a lot of uncomfortable questions and raining cynicism all over Jane’s life.

Many aspects of this film feel reminiscent of other movies: “The Wedding Planner,” “Never Been Kissed,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” just to name the ones that come immediately to mind.

This movie has the heroine in love with a man who is marrying another; then there is an act of betrayal involving an article written in secret about a main character; and, of course, don’t forget the public acts of humiliation (this movie has two).

And still, this movie was a lot of fun. I laughed and laughed, especially during the “Benny and the Jets” scene. Watching Jane and Kevin trying to sing this song and getting all of the lyrics wrong was enough to make my sides hurt from laughing. I nearly cried with laughter when they sang, “She’s got electric boobs!” because that is what I thought the song said, too, when I was a little kid.

Perhaps the characters were a bit stereotyped, predictable even, but the actors managed to add a sincerity to the parts that made the flaws easy to overlook. Jane, for all her doormat qualities, is genuinely likable. Kevin manages to reveal some honest doubt and remorse about the article he’s writing once he gets to know Jane. Tess even displays a depth near the end that her early selfishness hides.

Director Anne Fletcher paces the movie well and the comedic timing is right on. Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna gave the actors clever lines and snappy dialogue. The combination makes for a film that is easy to get caught up in and a pleasure to watch.

The only false note in terms of acting, or perhaps directing, came at the end. There is a moment after Jane makes a public declaration that is imbued with awkwardness, and it was the way the awkwardness was overcome that itself felt awkward. It was as if the actor couldn’t quite sell it. Or maybe the director was unclear how to get from point A to point B. In any case, it felt a bit off, considering how smoothly the rest of the movie flowed.

All in all, the fun and laughter elicited by “27 Dresses” far outweighs its flaws. Even the end credits are fun with the snippets of articles written about the characters as the cast is pictured and named. It kept most of the audience seated until the lights went up.

Amanda Brooks can be reached at 737-1056 or at abrooks@lompocrecord.com.