Made of Honor MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -3

Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan. Romantic comedy. Written by Adam Sztykiel, Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont. Directed by Paul Weiland.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Tom (Patrick Dempsey) knows he can always rely on Hannah (Michelle Monaghan), his delightful best friend and the one constant in his life. Its the perfect setup until Hannah goes overseas to Scotland on a six-week business trip and Tom is stunned to realize how empty his life is without her. He resolves that upon her return, hell ask Hannah to marry him but is floored when he learns that she has become engaged to a handsome and wealthy Scotsman and plans to move overseas. When Hannah asks Tom to be her maid of honor, he reluctantly agrees to fill the role but only so he can attempt to woo Hannah and stop the wedding before its too late.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Reportedly, Mr. Dempsey fashioned his character with Cary Grant in mind. Thats good. Dempsey is good looking, a good actor, has an ease with witty dialogue and watches Cary Grant movies. Thats very good. Alas, and I dont mean to be harsh, but this guy is no Cary Grant. Or Hugh Grant. Or Lou Grant. Our movie stars are no longer groomed by studios or have a bigger than life persona. They are now manufactured by TV, smaller clones of movie stars long past. I realize many ladies will disagree with that assessment. But when I think movie star, I think Burt Lancaster or Clark Gable or Cary Grant. Todays batch are miniature versions. When did movie stars start shrinking? The ladies keep getting taller. So how come the guys are all so short?

I have yet to read a fellow reviewer who didnt say the same thing, weve seen this one over and over. Indeed, it cant be denied that there are elements of My Best Friends Wedding and 27 Dresses in this script. And a dozen others released in the past 27 months, for that matter. The one fresh element is the set-up that has our McDreamy macho best male friend so supportive that he agrees to be the bridesmaid for the girl he loves. This guy is a goooood sport.

Contrived and silly are the other adjectives that seem to pop up in most reviews, as well. Nothing rings true, most of the humor is based on his womanizing ways and the crudity of his guy pals, and the concept is even more groan-some than Cary Grants I Was A Male War Bride. (I respect Cary Grant, just not that movie.)

Now Im going to suggest two alternatives. Both are old and in B&W. Its not that there arent some very good romantic comedies from closer decades, its just that writing wise, plus the incomparable Cary Grant, well, its hard to top these films. Listen to the dialogue, especially in His Girl Friday, which is considered by most film historians as the best screwball comedy of all time. (Do this for your ol film reviewer and Ill promise to find newer alternatives on the next film.)

DVD alternatives: The Awful Truth. This classic screwball comedy has Cary Grant and Irene Dunne as a divorced couple sabotaging each others new relationships. Grant reveals his expert touch with physical and verbal comic timing. Forget its age, its a perfect comedy.

Or:His Girl Friday.Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell and a superb supporting cast. Not enough can be said about this 4-star screwball comedy. A battle of the sexes where no one loses. She's a reporter wanting to get married and leave the newspaper business. He's her editor and ex-husband

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Sony Pictures