“The Wedding Date” (Universal Pictures)
Tonight in a very special “Will and Grace.” Grace goes to London without Will. Dermot Mulroney guest stars. Okay “The Wedding Date” is not an episode of “Will and Grace” but it sure seems like one. Just throw in some extra profanity and some brief nudity and you have a movie that looks and acts like a so-so episode.
Debra Messing is all Grace-like as Kat Ellis, a thirty-something something who lives in New York. We don’t get much background on who or what she is but we do know she can fork over six thousand dollars to pay for a “male escort” to pose as her boyfriend at her sister’s wedding.
At this wedding Kat’s ex-fianc’ (Jeremy Sheffield) is going to be the best man. So Kat can’t possibly show up without a date even though the wedding is going to be in London and she has to hire the escort for a good three or four days, plus fly him over there.
Nick Mercer (Mulroney) is smart, educated and charming. He exudes confidence and is worth every cent Kat paid him. Her sister (Amy Adams), her parents, and even the ex-boyfriend are impressed. Things should go smoothly but since this is a comedy, they can’t. Plus Messing’s stock in trade is acting goofy and messing things up, so there have to be problems.
Messing is a good comedienne. She has comic timing and isn’t afraid to make herself look silly. She also is a good actress who ought to be able to play more than one type of part. This role does not offer her that opportunity. Kat is Grace’s clone.
Mulroney is well cast as the lothario for pay. He looks good, speaks softly and exudes sex appeal. He would be great in the role if he didn’t also have to have a heart of gold. That’s where the characterization falls apart. He just doesn’t seem the type who would give it all up for love.
The film is rated PG-13 for brief nudity and profanity.
“The Wedding Date” has some good moments, but that is all it has – moments. It is not a cohesive comedy, and it is not an involving romantic story. Messing gives it a good try but where is Megan Mullally when you need her!
I scored “The Wedding Date” a postponed 4 out of 10.
