The Wedding Year

Luketic is well aware that in a film like this, it’s not the ending – it’s the journey that matters. What he doesn’t seem to know is how to make the journey absorbing or original. He hasn’t figured out his audience either, the tweeny-dreamy vibe clashing with the R-rated stabs at more mature themes. Per usual, the filmmaker doesn’t shy away from obvious/lowbrow humor, involving, say, nipple squeezing and vomit. Here’s an example of a dialogue exchange: “Did you do your makeup high again?” Ellie (Anna Camp) asks, rubbing down the corner of Mara’s eyes. “Ellie, I’m not a degenerate,” Mara replies. “I did my makeup, and then I got high.” Cue laughter.

“Luketic is well aware that in a film like this, it’s not the ending – it’s the journey that matters.”

And that’s what the film is ultimately missing – a laugh track. It never transcends its sitcom roots, coasting by thanks to the (moderate) charm of its cast. Hyland gestures a lot, attempting to convey a sassy, independent queen who’s also insecure and looking for love and…whatever. She tries hard, and sometimes – like in the disastrous maid-of-honor speech – it works. She has an effortless chemistry with Williams – who, in contrast, doesn’t look like he’s trying too hard, exuding natural charisma, and a welcome counterbalance to Hyland’s shtick.

You’ll chuckle at a few moments. (“I heard Jacob was dating someone younger, but he really robbed the cradle didn’t he?” Jake’s ex-girlfriend comments to Mara dryly.) You’re more than likely to wince at many more, as each remotely-genuine moment is rapidly punctuated with a forced musical cue or cheesy sentiment. Breaking news? This film is not.