Wedding PlannerCOLUMBIA TRISTAR has just released the most recent Jennifer
Lopez film,
"THE WEDDING PLANNER". For all of its flaws, and there are many, the
film has so much warm-hearted intent, it's hard not to enjoy it.
In fact, the film's script, at first, resembles the good-natured humor that made
"MISS CONGENIALITY" so enjoyable. Jennifer Lopez stars as a wedding
planner, "married" to her job. In the opening sequence, we see her
taking charge in a masterful, but detached way at a wedding. With potential
pitfalls at every turn, she manages to turn every problem and
embarrassing situation around. The script, direction, actors, and music all come
together in making this opening sequence funny, poignant, and endearing. It's
just disappointing that the film quickly becomes just another predictable rehash
of practically every other romantic comedy
since "PRETTY WOMAN".
Although Lopez is constantly around couples in love, she's completely without
it. She's married to her job, but she's not fully appreciated. Her fortune seems
to be changing when she gets a dream wedding assignment for a wealthy, bitchy,
and beautiful career woman. If she pulls this wedding off, she's been promised a
partnership in the firm she's slaving for. Fate steps in and after a clumsy
mishap, she gets her shoe caught in a manhole, just as dumpster has been hit by
a car, and careens towards her. Enter Matthew McConaughey as the knight in
shining armor! He literally jumps in harm's way, throwing her out of danger,
landing on top of her. It's love at first sight! Making things complicated, he's
the pending groom for the big wedding job she's just
landed! From here to the end, everything's predictable. While there are some
likeable characters thrown into the mix, and a sense of ethic pride, the film
never succeeds in carrying the sense of atmosphere that other romantic
films(Moonstruck) were able to do so easily. The charm that
existed in the film's opening, loses a lot of its power as the film progresses,
mostly because the main characters end up being selfish, dumb, and it's hard for
the audience to have empathy for their situation, because the bride-to-be is so
two-dimensional, nothing about the situation feels real.
COLUMBIA TRISTAR has preserved the film's correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio with 16:9
enhancement. The transfer is flawless! The colors are extremely bright and
there's never any oversaturation. During the wedding sequences, the depth,
clarity and diversity of colors are
extremely impressive. Contrast is also wonderful, with deep, deep blacks and
grays. Fleshtones appear natural throughout.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is effective, although not very aggressive. Surrounds
are utilized mainly for atmosphere, although there are some nice directional
effects in the front and rear soundstage. Dialogue is always intelligible and
free of distortion.
COLUMBIA TRISTAR has included a few supplements to make this a "special
edition". There are two short featurettes. The "MAKING OF WEDDING
PLANNER" and "DANCER AND THE COWBOY" featurettes are less than
four minutes each, but both offer some brief insight from the film's stars and
director.
The "deleted scenes" segment is lengthier than most "deleted
scenes" segments. There are 7 scenes in all, and each can be played with or
without director's commentary. Each is letterboxed and while not as sharp as the
film, they have a nice, polished look to them. Some of the deleted scenes feel
lengthy, and the film's well served without them. Still, two of the scenes would
probably have enhanced the film's structure.
There's also a running commentary with the film's director and writers. It's a
really enjoyable listen! All three seem ecstatic that the film was even made,
let alone that they're even all together to talk about it! They get along great,
and there are numerous funny comments. There are several trailers, but all
except "WEDDING PLANNER" have been cropped.
