In the post-metrosexual world, the novelty of straight men well-versed in the arts of fashion, floral design and fabulousness has been waning.
So when Patrick Dempsey plays best friend and shopping buddy to his lifelong gal pal in the run-of-the-mill romantic comedy, “Made of Honor,” he brings nothing new or noteworthy to the already crowded table.
Tom (Dempsey), the womanizer, has had brunch every Sunday for 10 years with his college buddy Hannah (Michelle Monaghan), the only lady in Manhattan he has not slept with.
When she leaves for Scotland on business, he realizes that he would willingly relinquish his bachelor lifestyle if only to keep together the one relationship with a woman that has survived.
Unfortunately for him, Hannah returns after six weeks abroad engaged to a duke and eager to plan a wedding that includes Tom as the “maid” of honor. As the other bridesmaids fight him for the coveted position, he begins his own quest to win over the bride.
In this gender reversal of “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” Dempsey lacks the spunk of his counterpart, Julia Roberts, but plays the sabotaging best bud looking for love with just as much comedy and charm.
Juggling plates in a department store during a wedding gifts shopping trip, Dempsey turns the potentially cheesy moment into an adorable display of his talents ““ but not without the help of Monaghan.
As Hannah and Tom, the two actors play both roles of friends and lovers convincingly and engagingly.
Whenever they appear on-screen together, regardless of the platonic or romantic context, Dempsey and Monaghan create a relationship that is enjoyable to watch. Their friendly banter in the bakery line demonstrates their on-screen chemistry, which proves just as effective in the film’s emotional finale.
Monaghan seems to be making a career for herself in the genre of testosterone-tinged romantic comedies. Her last film, “The Heartbreak Kid,” features the same physical humor ““ awkward sex scenes and classic slipping gags ““ that makes the film more accessible to the male demographic.
The absence of characters who spontaneously break into song also caters to the male crowd; you won’t find a rendition of “I’ll Say A Little Prayer” in this version.
But the lack of distinctions renders the film a hapless and forgettable remake of its highly successful predecessor.
Regardless, though it sticks close to formula and predictability, this chick flick is still mindlessly fun ““ and isn’t that all you can ask for from your “Made of Honor?”