Posted: 01/28/2005

The Wedding Date

(2005)

by Hank Yuloff

TV’s Messing in a twist on the My Best Friend’s Wedding theme.

So what would happen if Grace Adler had never met Will Truman, was embarrassingly single and had to go to her sister’s wedding in England? She would hire a date to play the part.

That is the story of The Wedding Date, a new movie starring Debra Messing (Ned & Stacey, Along Came Polly) as Kat Ellis, a woman so anxiety filled that she hunts down a male escort that she read about in a magazine and pays him several thousand dollars to accompany her from America to London for her younger sister’s wedding. Why would someone do such a thing? That is best answered by another question: Have you ever wanted to show up somewhere your ex-fiance (the one that dumped you) is going to be with someone that is so hot as to make them just squirm uncomfortably? That is why Ellis empties her 401-K and hires Nick Mercer (played by Dermot Mulroney) to make up for two years of misery she has had to endure.

I really liked this movie, as I think any Will & Grace fan will, because you are already familiar with the character. It is not the same person, but it is so similar as to not need much movie time in order to grab hold of Ellis and her challenges. She is entirely likable and I am betting there are very few men in the theater who would not have gladly gone with her.

There are some wonderful scenes with the sister’s cousin and friends… And a great love scene on a boat that reminded my wife of one of HER encounters… (Dear FilmMonthly editorial staff, thanks for sending me on assignments that remind the wife of past guys)*. The story is a really good romance, but I won’t let you know who gets who at the end.

What you do need to know is that Mulroney is wonderful. I looked back at how much I could not stand him in About Schmidt because of the lowlife he played, and can see how good an actor he is as a schmuck and as a leading man. And even with the Adler seem-alike, Messing is funny and charming and well worth the time in theater. Especially if you are on a date. And you really like the person you are with.

*Ed. note: We’re here for you, pal!

Hank Yuloff is our senior staff reviewer in Los Angeles.

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