Director Paul Weiland
Released 2008
Plot A guy in love with his best friend, who just became engaged, tries to win her over after she asks him to be her maid of honour.
Best on Film Rating ★★★ FIVER
Best on Film Rating ★★★ FIVER
I like Patrick Dempsey. I've only recently properly discovered him thanks to a combination of acquiring a channel which shows Grey's Anatomy and nurturing an admiration of all things Amy Adams, who stars with him in Enchanted.
I must admit to being incredulous when first faced with the prospect of watching this movie. Surely I'd seen this before? From the blurb on the back of the DVD case (which alas, I was reading long after the film's release, from within a DVD rental store) the formula seemed fairly generic: boy has best friend who is a girl. Boy is chauvenist pig. Girl best friend is classic girl next door, who is cool but of course conceals a hidden love for our pig hero. Boy has no idea what he's got until girl announces she's getting married, then of course he realises she's the love of his life. Of course. Yada yada yada, you can guess the ending.
But we've established by now I'm a cynical being when it comes to films like this. I confess that anything within the Rom-Com genre I tend to judge by the cover and the actors within it more than the plot itself. On some level this is a time-saving attitude, but with Made of Honour, it royally malfunctioned. It took me far too long to get around to seeing this quality film.
Yes, the plot is not overly original, but that's not the selling point here. This film's charm lies in it's unexpected originality: the surprisingly listenable soundtrack; the strong unusually quirky supporting characters (especially those of the bridesmaids and the Scots folk); the exploration of what makes two people fall in love, and then realise that they are in love. How refreshing that the script takes time to show, in detail, the little things that our hero loves about his best friend/girl of dreams. Usually we're subjected to the general wash of I-just-love-her-must-have-her idea. Not so this.
As usual, though, the success of this film, as with any, lies in the hands of it's cast. Dempsey shows his character's arc with good fun and a twinkle in his eye. And if I had a best friend like Monaghan's character, I'd want to marry her too. For once, a leading lady that isn't suicidally annoying or nauseatingly saccarine, or, crime of crimes: both. Plus, clearly everybody's enjoying themselves here, and it shows. Count me in.
And as a footnote, I must do a little "shout-out" to the costume and set designers. If for no other reason, watch this film purely for Monaghan's gorgeous dresses, the sumptous sets or the breathtaking locations. The latter especially will make you green with envy to the point of running to your travel agent and booking tickets to Scotland as your next holiday.
Rent immediately for your night with the girls if you're female, or for guys, buy as part of your girlfriend/wife's christmas/birthday present for some serious brownie points. You can thank me later.
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