27 Dresses - A Movie Review

Let me get this straight? You have 27 dresses for 27 different weddings?

Walking down the aisles into theaters, 27 Dresses is a 2008 film. Obsessed with weddings, a bridesmaid learns that her younger sister is going to marry the man she secretly loves. Trying to be supportive, Jane meets Kevin. Is love real?

Movies about weddings always make for a fun story. As soon as I read the summary, I put 27 Dresses on record. Although the plot of the film is straightforward and tends to fall on weak bits from the actors, 27 Dresses establishes the definition of what weddings are all about.

Katherine Heigl is a strong actress. I would like to see more films with her. Jane’s love for weddings is a trait to admire. Her closet full of 27 dresses says a lot about her personality. Living in a nightmare, Jane does not hide her disgust about her sister marrying the man she always loved. Jane’s journey is a reflective life lesson about being yourself.

27 Dresses introduces audiences to Kevin, a man who does not believe in marriage. James Mardsen’s approach to the role is not talked about enough. Heigl and Mardsen were great in their interactions. You never know who you are going to cross paths with. Going through an eye-opening lesson himself, Kevin’s charisma should not be overlooked.

I was not fond of the direction for some of the cast members. Malin Akerman (Tess) appeared to be overacting delivering unrealistic dialogue. Akerman and Edward Burns (George) felt like they were just doing whatever the director addressed them to do. They didn’t grasp their characters.

As for Judy Greer, I have no idea what she was doing. She was unenthusiastic making strange choices in her character, like the way she walked in one scene. Greer was not given much of a purpose other than being Jane’s friend.

Credits include Brian Kerwin, Charli Carena, Peyton List, Jane Pfitsch, Melora Hardin, Maulik Pancholy, and an ensemble who danced it up in the wedding sequences. I could tell that the cast had a fun time working on 27 Dresses.

Shoutout goes to the wardrobe department who created the best designs for dresses. Set designs deserve mention, too. The location spots used for weddings were gorgeous and decorated to the highest extremes. Weddings are stressful to the plan but in the end, the turnout is the best part.

Anne Fletcher created a movie that challenged audiences’ opinions about weddings. That was my favorite aspect about 27 Dresses. Although the storyline falls on similar love story cliches, the film still felt fresh.

While her direction for Heigl and Mardsen was the notable highlight, Fletcher should have spent more time with the other actors. They could have used better direction. And more attention could have been given to the overall story. Don’t get me wrong, it is not a predictable love story. It did not spend enough time on aspects that needed more attention.

For example, the movie should have focused better on the dynamic between Jane, Tess, and their father (Brian Kerwin). It is evident that they are not close, but writers missed an opportunity to investigate more on their backstory. I would like to have seen more with Jane and Tess as kids.

We all have a passion. Be supportive of weddings. I never expected to learn so much about weddings. Everyone has a different approach. And for some, there is a highlight that you will remember forever.

All in all, 27 Dresses is a fun movie to watch. I recommend that you watch and enjoy it with your friends.