Made of Honor

A classic American romantic comedy. Two people—a man and a woman—have known each other almost their whole lives. As friends, they get along perfectly, but only quite late do they realize that they could be together. When she thinks about it, he doesn’t get it; when he finally realizes it, she finds someone new in Scotland. The film is essentially an endorsement of the idea that it’s okay to ruin someone else’s life, as long as I’m happy. I don’t know what strange values Hollywood is trying to present to us. Going after your presumed happiness at all costs, not looking back at others, but simply bulldozing through everyone like a tank to get to your chosen one? Plus, it’s apparently great when the bridesmaid is a guy. The film attempts to engage with original elements that the creators use to mask a story that is so clichéd and unoriginal that it’s not even funny. I don’t know why, but I don’t buy Patrick Dempsey as that charming guy. Michelle Monaghan is great as always, but her character is at times completely unstable. I really don’t know what to think about this film. Why does it try so hard to be interesting when it isn’t? And why do people believe it? Do we really just need to watch the same thing over and over again, with the only difference being that for a few minutes we see Scots in their kilts and get a brief tour of their customs? If that’s enough for us, then we deserve such films. You get what you pay for, but who says it always has to be a symphony, right? (2013-03-03)

The best experiences are the ones you don't expect. It had all the indications of disinterest, but it ended up being an enjoyable fandom film, or a cross between Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy), Kevin McKidd (Rome), Busy Philipps (Cougar Town), Kelly Carlson (Nip/Tuck), Jaime Ray Newman (Eastwick) and Kevin Sussman (The Big Bang Theory). Well played. (2014-01-22)

I'm just somehow charmed by the combination of the weird Michelle Monaghan and the likeable Patrick Dempsey. Scotland was a great breath of fresh air, the plot was predictable but good... almost 4 stars. (2011-02-06)