Relating to rom-coms, I’d say I’m a comfortable medium. Positive, I’ll cry at The Pocket book like several self-respecting millennial, however come film night time, I’m simply as seemingly to decide on a murder-y thriller over one thing with a meet-cute and a montage set to everybody’s favourite pop track from three years in the past.
And but… I have a mushy spot for the 2008 romantic comedy 27 Clothes, starring Katherine Heigl because the consummate bridesmaid Jane and James Marsden as Kevin, the extremely cynical wedding ceremony reporter who secretly writes about her. The plot? Jane has been a bridesmaid 27 instances (sure, she retains the attire), is secretly in love together with her boss George (Edward Burns) and will get swept up in a whirlwind of wedding-related chaos when her youthful sister Tess (Malin Akerman) swoops in to marry mentioned boss.
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No, it’s not precisely a Nora Ephron traditional, and sure, it has a 40 p.c rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However there’s one thing comforting about it. Just like the cinematic equal of ordering mozzarella sticks at a fancy restaurant: objectively dangerous, but deeply satisfying.
So I rewatched it to determine what precisely retains pulling me again to this decidedly mid-tier rom-com. My 27 ideas concerning the movie, in chronological order, beneath.
- How is Katherine Heigl alleged to be the underdog on this film? She’s beautiful, emotionally out there and humorous as hell. She’s a catch.
- Getting your pal to face in for you at your wedding ceremony gown becoming is totally unhinged habits. I don’t care how busy you’re or the truth that you’re the identical measurement, that’s loopy!
- These purple bridesmaids attire appear to be they had been lower out of building paper. The whole lot is so…angular. Jane wants new pals.
- Why does Judy Greer at all times play the bestie? She has lead-role vitality.
- James Marsden is so smug. And so cute. And so clearly the man she’s going to fall for. (Oh, additionally I ought to actually rewatch Jury Obligation. Marsden taking part in himself is simply too good.)
- Perhaps one of many causes I love this film is due to the ‘00s vitality. The flip telephone! The macarena! If this film had been made now, would Jane actually have hailed a yellow cab for the night time or would she simply have Venmoed somebody $300 and trauma-dumped within the UberPool?
- Going throughout the Brooklyn Bridge on a Saturday night time for two weddings? What a nightmare. Jane is a excellent pal. And a critical folks pleaser. And positively the oldest baby.
- As somebody who has worn a wedding ceremony gown and been a bridesmaid myself a number of instances (although nowhere close to 27), I can attest that the bride does not want a pal to assist her pee. It’s turning into abundantly clear that Jane wants higher boundaries and higher pals.
- Oof, Jane being determined to catch the bouquet so she will lastly be comfortable is so problematic. However let’s transfer on.
- Jane’s planner is a mess. This lady wants a digital calendar (and a therapist).
- The actual fantasy right here isn’t the romance—it’s the Manhattan condominium with closet area for 27 bridesmaid attire!
- The bosses on this film are a lot. Kevin’s editor provides critical girlboss vitality however I’m undecided her threats are HR-approved (“Alright, one probability. And if I don’t prefer it, you return to commitments for the remainder of your life with a massive smile on that ridiculously good-looking face of yours!”) In the meantime, George leaves his dry cleansing on Jane’s desk? Poisonous.
- Jane could also be a Kind A, people-pleaser however dropping the F-bomb at a fiftieth wedding ceremony anniversary get together is objectively humorous.
- That condominium although. Jane is a glorified assistant and one way or the other has large closets, a separate eating space and pure gentle? Make it make sense.
- The sister drama is so actual.
- Yikes, Kevin writing in Jane’s planner is sort of a pink flag. It’s so intrusive!
- The twist: Kevin is definitely Malcolm Doyle, Jane’s favourite wedding ceremony columnist. (“I really feel like I simply came upon my favourite love track was written about a sandwich” is a nice quote.)
- OK, I take again what I mentioned about rom-com montages. The montage of all 27 attire might be my favourite scene of the movie. And wait, do folks even have themed weddings like “Gone with the Wind”? If that’s the case, please invite me.
- The way in which Jane lies to guard her sister isn’t endearing. It’s enabling.
- “You’d quite concentrate on different folks’s Kodak moments than make your individual” is a killer line.
- Really, the “Bennie and the Jets” singalong is my favourite scene. It’s enjoyable, it’s flirty, it’s rom-com perfection.
- Nooooo, Kevin’s article about Jane, aka the endlessly a bridesmaid and by no means a bride, hits the stands. Maintain up, can a newspaper really publish a function like this on somebody with out their permission? This appears like a defamation go well with ready to occur. Legal professionals, weigh in.
- The actual betrayal? Tess reducing up their mother’s wedding ceremony gown. I gasped then and I gasped now.
- Jane’s takedown of Tess on the rehearsal dinner could also be deserved however I nonetheless cringed. It was so… messy. However Kevin’s response? “I noticed what you probably did in there and I thought it was wonderful. Was it completely certifiably nuts? Sure it was. However you probably did one thing Jane. For the primary time you weren’t simply the proper bridesmaid!” Swoon.
- George comes throughout as Mr. Good Man however calling on Jane to be his final minute date after he’s known as off his wedding ceremony to Tess is weird. Thank goodness there was no chemistry in that kiss!
- Sure, Jane! Be the principle character in your individual life! Soar onto that boat! Get the man! And the look that Kevin provides her is so dreamy.
- I can’t resolve if making all 27 former brides put on the bridesmaids attire at her personal wedding ceremony is good or petty. Both method, I find it irresistible.
Truthfully, the sluggish pan to Kevin on the finish as Jane walks down the aisle nonetheless will get me. 27 Clothes could not go down as one of many biggest rom-coms of all time however there’s one thing about its chaotic allure and comedic sweetness that makes it so rewatchable. 27/10 would suggest.
