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Review #477 of 365
Movie Review of License to Wed (2007) [PG-13] 90 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $12.25
Where Viewed: AMC Westminster Promenade 24, Westminster, CO
When 1st Seen: 3 July 2007
Time: 5:25 pm
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
Soundtrack: order the CD below
DVD Release Date: 20 October 2007 (click date to purchase or pre-order)
Directed by: Ken Kwapis (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants)
Screenplay by: Kim Barker (debut) • Time Rasmussen (Elegante, El ) • Vince Di Meglio (Elegante, El ) based on a story by Kim Barker and Wayne Lloyd
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Robin Williams (Night at the Museum) • Mandy Moore (Because I Said So) • John Krasinski (Shrek the Third) • Eric Christian Olsen (The Last Kiss) • Christine Taylor (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story) • Josh Flitter (Big Momma's House 2) • DeRay Davis (Code Name: The Cleaner) • Peter Strauss (xXx: State of the Union ) • Grace Zabriskie ("Big Love") • Roxanne Hart (Letters from Iwo Jima)
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
They say timing is everything in the movies, and it would appear that timing the release of the film just right is also a very good idea. The mid-week releases in order to capture sales for the mid-week 4th of July turned out to be a brilliant move as theatres were packed with people escaping the heat and catching a new film. Not only that, but while Knocked Up may well still be the best comedy of the year, Ken Kwapis's License to Wed is a simpler, more straight forward, Robin Williams gag fest co-starring Mandy Moore and "The Office"'s John Krasinski that fits perfectly as contrast to the Michael Bay sci-fi, action pic, Transformers; Michael Moore's heath care documentary, Sicko; and Lajos Koltai's star-studded actress tear fest, Evening. Sometimes, you just need some laughs!
"… a light comedy with heart…John Krasinski proved he can carry a leading role on the big screen as well…"
It all begins when Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore) end up in line together in a Chicago coffee shop. Soon thereafter, they are dating, and six months later at her parents' anniversary party, he pops the question. All will be well with the Jones family, according to Grandma Jones (Grace Zabriskie) provided he agrees to marry in the local church that Grandpa Jones helped build. Ben agrees, despite hoping for a tropical locale, not realizing there's an even bigger string attached. Turns out that in order to marry in the church, he and Sadie will have to pass the pre-marital class taught by the church's long-standing reverend Frank (Robin Williams) as assisted by his trainee played by up and coming kid-star, Josh Flitter. Reverend Frank is not just your typical, down-to-earth, good-natured, "7th Heaven" reverend. He's 1 part Cheesy Curls, 2 parts 10 Commandments, 5 parts caffeine, and 10 parts irreverent. However, he claims 100% success rate in couples that pass his course, avoiding the 'd' word—that's divorce. Skeptical of the need, still Ben agrees to take the course, signing on the dotted line and setting in motion a series of unfortunate circumstances to make Lemony Snickets feel like his life is just fine. Every activity Rev. Frank sets up for the couple seems to be quite effective in beginning to drive a wedge between them. Is he trying to break them up? Ben's not sure, but he knows he doesn't like the abstinence until marriage rule nor the continual suggestions that he's probably not fit to be a husband. Things culminate to hilarity when the Rev. forces the pair to care for robotic baby twins with remote control agitation buttons. Frank and mini-Frank have fun turning up the heat on these two as the day of baby torture progresses. No spoilers here, except to say that while ingeniously funny at times, Robin Williams is at the top of his game—again, be prepared for some tears both on the good and sad side, but with an ending that pays off. Unlike last year's The Break-Up, which people may recall does not have a storybook ending, License to Wed, ends just as it should.
So, if you're ready for a break from some of the heavier films out there, here's a light comedy with heart that will make you laugh and realize the important things that make for a solid foundation in any long term relationship.
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So, if you're ready for a break from some of the heavier films out there, here's a light comedy with heart that will make you laugh and realize the important things that make for a solid foundation in any long term relationship.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring License to Wed (2007)
Cast Members
Robin Williams
• Mandy Moore • John KrasinskiEric Christian Olsen
• Christine Taylor • Josh FlitterDeRay Davis
• Peter Strauss • Grace ZabriskieRoxanne Hart
Director
Ken Kwapis
Writers
Kim Barker
• Time Rasmussen • Vince Di MeglioYou've met the girl of your dreams, and your future father-in-law has welcomed you to the family. There's only one thing between you and getting married, and his name is Reverend Frank. Ken Kwapis directs this light comedy with heart featuring Mandy Moore and John Krasinski as Sadie and Ben who subject themselves to Robin Williams's collared-in, comedic genius as their instructor and spiritual guide as they attempt to earn his pre-nuptial blessing and marry in his church. It won't be easy surviving what he's got in store for them. Fortunately, John Krasinski has brought his understated comedic talents out of "The Office" and Mandy Moore has perfected her still-looking-for-Mr.-Perfect maiden character, so the two may have a fighting chance against robotic baby twins, couple's counseling designed to create their first fight, and wedding vow books that may be a bit harder to fill than one might imagine.
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