The Wedding Planner
2001 · Directed by Adam Shankman
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
The story
San Francisco's premiere wedding planner, Mary Fiore is rescued from an accident by the man of her dreams, pediatrician Steve Edison, only to find he is the fiancé of her latest client. As Mary continues making their wedding arrangements, she and Steve are put into a string of uncomfortable situations that force them to face their mutual attraction.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated studio romcom polish: sunlit San Francisco streets, pastel bridal palettes, bouncing handheld energy during the party set-pieces, and a glossy 2001 digital finish with no grain to speak of. Warm daylight dominates, with lavish wedding interiors in cream, gold and blush, and the city's hills and bay views providing airy wide shots between the comic fits. Sound leans on upbeat pop and Latin-tinged dance numbers layered over bubbly, knockabout scoring that lifts every scene toward the next gag. The vibe is breezy, cheerful and mildly sentimental, best suited to a light Friday night, a comfort rewatch, or a sunny afternoon with the sofa to yourself. Pacing is brisk and farcical, with physical comedy and mismatched-couple banter driving the middle, and the emotional arc follows a prickly planner and a buttoned-up doctor gradually dropping their guard. Intensity is low: some mild peril and slapstick, a brief accident, a few crude jokes and suggestive flirtation, but no real violence, gore or cruelty. It is for people who want a cheerful, easy romance with a little comic chaos and a happy ending.
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