Susan Granger’s review of “THE WEDDING PLANNER” (Columbia Pictures)
What do you get when you pair luscious Jennifer Lopez with macho Matthew McConaughey? A bland, wannabe “My Best Friend’s Wedding” – without the charm or humor. The term “screwball” romantic comedy was coined around 1936, to describe Carole Lombard’s ditsy heroine in “My Man Godfrey.” Over the years, it has come to be associated with romantic exaltation of a very down-to-earth kind. But, in order to be successful, a screwball romantic comedy needs some originality, at least some appealing characters and snappy dialogue, to sustain it. Unfortunately, screenwriters Pamela Falk and Michael Ellis aren’t up to the task. As a result, screwball soon becomes cornball. Set in San Francisco, the contrived, prosaic plot revolves around an ambitious, highly organized, workaholic wedding planner (Lopez) who “meets cute” with a handsome pediatrician (McConaughey) who saves her from being crushed by a runaway dumpster when her Gucci pump gets wedged in a grate. It’s instant attraction – until they discover that she’s been hired to plan his wedding to a wealthy businesswoman (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras). That’s the big complication, along with a silly subplot in which Lopez’s father (Alex Rocco) arranges for her to marry a Sicilian immigrant (Justin Chambers). Jennifer Lopez is no Julia Roberts – and Adam Shankman’s broad, heavy-handed direction doesn’t help. Her “drunk” scene is truly an embarrassment. On the other hand, the dance sequences, particularly the Lopez/McConaughey tango, reflect Shankman’s strength as a choreographer. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “The Wedding Planner” is a flimsy 5. It’s a mediocre date movie that will soon be forgotten. Besides, the best scenes are in the Coming Attractions trailer.
