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"Those who can't wed, plan," says Mary Fiore (Jennifer Lopez), who has made a name for herself
as thewedding planner in California. She helps couples who want to tie the knot make their wedding day as memorable as possible by coordinating all the details:
flowers, ministers, venue, food, etc., even the father-of-the-bride (!) while remaining loveless herself. One day, her well-controlled life changes when Dr. Steve Edison
(Matthew McConaughey) saves her from a wayward garbage dumpster as she tries to get her shoe stuck in a manhole. They get attracted to one another but her knight in shining
armor turns out to be the fiancé of her latest client Fran Donolly (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras), a multimillion Internet tycoon. Meanwhile, Mary's father Salvatore (Alex Rocco)
plans her wedding to Mary's childhood playmate Massimo (Justin Chambers) from Sicily who thinks they are engaged.
The Wedding Planner is choreographer Adam Shankman's directorial debut and he shows his skill in the dance numbers, particularly in the tango
of Mary and Steve. Lopez and McConaughey are well cast and their performance is believable but they do not have chemistry. Their characters also do not develop because of a
bad script full of contrivances and weak dialogue. Despite the comic moments and the romantic setting, this love story leaves much to be desired.
It is refreshing to watch a romantic comedy that barely has any kissing or sex involved,
although there are sexual comments, some vulgar language plus admission of cohabitation and immoral sex. Despite the weakness of the plot, TheWedding Planner brings
forth the values of filial loyalty, respect for elders, fidelity and sacrifice, friendship and love, parental care and concern, being true to one's self and one's values, and
allowing others the freedom to choose. This movie can be a good starting point for parents and/or teachers in discussing with teenagers what it means to commit one's life to
another person in love and freedom, that is marriage, and what is necessary to keep it. Or which is more important, the wedding ceremony or the marriage?
The Wedding Planner proposes the ideal that you don't get married to someone you can live with; you marry someone you cannot live without.
CINEMA finds this movie suitable for viewers 14 years old and above.
(Date reviewed: March 16, 2001)
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