27 Dresses
There is a reason why movies develop formulae: it’s what we want to see, when we escape into the dark. During 27 Dresses, there were few-to-no major plot points that you wouldn’t expect, nay, demand. The requisite moment of truth happens exactly as it should, with no regrets or forehead slapping needed, leaving hearts and minds tucked away safely as they should be. The stumbling block we all fear and await is accompanied by the most appropriate response. Is that a negative? Not alt all. This is the meat and potatoes of the story. The pleasures of 27 Dresses is, as with any quality product, the details and the exquisite moments.
What elevated it to my high recommendation are these precious and delicious elements, not the arc of perennial wallflower and bridesmaid finding her own happiness. And if there is anyone out there who does not personally know someone like Katherine Heigl’s highly plausible Jane character, smart, attractive, busy, romantic, and single, I will be very very surprised. (Though in real life most of them know to hide their InStyle Weddings hardbound edition.)
Heigl proves herself worthy of abandoning television and reasserts her Knocked Up triumph with her delicate take on Jane, the hottest dogsbody in any bridal party. Her eyes, filled with love and mania and loss and conflict carry this movie further even than her hilarious frocks and winsome collarbones. And she still manages to be smart, modern and funny, while honoring the treasured memory of her mother’s wedding but knowing what moment is most important on that day (hint: it’s nothing to do with the bride).
Sister Tess (Malin Ackerman, looking terribly LA to be related to Jane) comes in as the perfect nightmare of a self-asborbed-yet-vulnerable force of maddening nature. Ed Burns is their unwittingly shared romantic focus – a genuine great guy and not a ridiculous vessel for female insecurity. James Marsden, fresh off my parade float after Hairspray and Enchanted, swans in like a pretty boy and roars like a lamb, being a conflicted and funny foil for Heigl. With his cheekbones and profession you might expect arrogance, but Marsden gives his writer Kevin an actual soul. The core cast is supported by the delectable Judy Greer, Melora Hardin, and Maulik Pancholy, making the most of their screen time.
When Tess crosses the last sacred boundary with Jane, my companion and I were in tears – it was delectable pain at the acknowledgement of what is really important and what is replacable, and a beautiful wake-up call to Jane. The payback? Vicarious glee is good. The movie only blames Jane for forgetting herself in the needs of others, instead of the traditional Hollywood punishment for being single. She punishes herself enough for that, and this makes 27 Dresses one of the truest depictions of the cross-purposes of a modern single female that we’ve seen for a while. Boys – stay away. You won’t get it anyway. Gals – bring a gal pal and enjoy the ride (and the schadenfreude of truly embarrassing bridesmaid dresses).
MPAA Rating PG-13
Release date 1/18/08
Time in minutes 107
Director Anne Fletcher
Studio 20th Century Fox
