Made of Honor (2008)

I remember having watched this movie when it was released... I just didn't remember that I hated it till today when I re-watched it. There was nothing redeemable in this film whatsoever. Storyline - predictable at best, cast-forced chemistry if even, has the film-maker ever been to Scotland? I mean seriously? I read one review or message board thread about the movie being 'offensive to Scotland' and to that I can only say; in order for you to offend me I have to first care what you think....... there was no way this movie was taken seriously as a representation of Scotland and in that way cannot be offensive-let it be a comedy of stupidity on the part of the creators and we'll all laugh AT them not WITH them. And Patrick Dempsey is excellent at playing the a$$hole, he nails it- nothing is ever his fault,it's all about him, make sure he gets what he wants all the time-he plays it so well it's hard to ever look at him without feeling disgusted, like he must be like that in real life and be so self-absorbed he doesn't even realize what an dick he is....... I refuse to believe that is true OMG..... I just finished watching this and feel like I'm about to barf. So incredibly stupid and if I wasn't convalescing I would never have bothered...HATE, yes, I'm using the word HATE about this movie...... HATE very strongly......

Tom (Patrick Dempsey) and Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) are college friends. He's a womanizer with lots of rules, and she's willing to call him out for it. Ten years later, she's still the only one he can take to yet another one of his father's (Sydney Pollack) wedding no matter how many girls he's dated. He discovers his love for Hannah a little too late.This is the standard paint by numbers rom-com. The problem is that neither are exceptional rom-com leads. Neither are physical comedians. Neither have shown a strong background in this genre. Patrick Dempsey takes some pratfalls, but it doesn't work for him. The only thing that truly works is an angry bridesmaid Busy Philipps.So an outstanding script is needed to elevate this. But there isn't one coming. There are a few funny moments. The glow in the dark beads are funny. The biggest problem is that Hannah's Colin isn't douchy enough. It would work if he made all kinds of threats against Tom behind Hannah's back. They don't make him bad enough. The emotional structure isn't set up properly.

I don't think it deserves a low(or middle) rating of 5.5. It's the first movie for a long time which I haven't checked it's rating before watching. It has a semi-predictable ending. I will not talk about technical stuff, because I didn't pay attention to those stuff. But I can say that this movie is amazing. Maybe it's not the best compared to other romance based movies, but it's amazing itself and enjoyable. A minus was that the movie didn't have a "really memorable quote". Storyline is classic but I can say that something makes it enjoyable and fluently time passing. Although it has some unsatisfying content. For example, Colin seemed really cool at first. But something makes him seem stupid after then. And the movie never shows the ending of the fight when Colin hits Tom. It just passes forward to the wedding. Other than those, storyline is pretty awesome.

While some think Made of Honor was too much like all the other romantic comedies about two best friends of the opposite sex, I thought it was endearing, touching, and fun to watch. What makes this movie even more enjoyable is the sexy Patrick Dempsey that plays Tom, a single, wealthy, handsome guy that loves women. His best friend Hannah is played by Michelle Monaghan. She is the adorable girl that has been putting up with Tom and all of his relationship rules since college. She is the one girl that Tom can always depend on, and he is the guy that Hannah hopes will change and open his eyes about her. It does not take long for the viewer to figure out the theme of this film. While the two seem like best friends, it is obvious that their relationship will change by the end of the film. This is the synopsis in most romantic comedies. But in this film you feel the emotions and frustrations of Tom and Hannah. Throughout the movie there is a pattern or motif of how you feel for each character. In one scene you are mad at Tom, and feel sorry for Hannah; but the next scene you might feel sorry for Tom and be mad at Hannah. The main focus in this film is the relationship struggles between two best friends. This movie could be compared to My Best Friend's Wedding, except the ending is much happier for both people. When Hannah has to take a trip to Scotland, Tom finds himself alone and missing Hannah more than he expected. After some soul searching with his buddies, he realizes he is in love with Hannah and is ready to settle down and have a real relationship. But when Hannah returns she has a surprise for Tom. When he shows up with flowers to meet her for dinner, she introduces him to a large strapping man named Colin, played by Kevin McKidd. After Tom collides with a waiter, listens to their romantic story of how they met, and witnesses the sappy look in Hannah's eyes, he is then shocked with the news that they are engaged. Hannah asks Tom to be her Made of Honor. After colliding with another waiter, Tom escapes from the restaurant without really giving Hannah an answer. After Tom recovers from the shock of Hannah's news, his buddies point out that being Hannah's Made of Honor will keep him extremely close to her. They make a plan to steal the bride. What makes this romantic comedy more entertaining than others, is watching men try to tackle a woman's job. Witnessing men making baskets for a bridal shower is great. Through many ups and downs, and a ruined bridal shower thanks to Hannah's bitter cousin, Tom begins to panic because he is running out of time. What's worse is when he gets to Scotland for the wedding, he finds out that Colin is a Duke and his family owns a castle for each season. He starts to feel he cannot compete with the groom. After a day of humiliation from traditional wedding games, Tom finally gets a moment to ask Hannah to go on a walk. Just as he is ready to tell Hannah how he feels, they are interrupted by the other bridesmaids that come to get Hannah for her bachelorette party. The tradition in Scotland is for the bride-to-be to carry around a pot. Men give her money in exchange for a kiss. When Tom finds Hannah in the pub, his peck turns in to a long passionate kiss. The only witness to this kiss was Hannah's mother from across the room.Later that night, Hannah goes to Tom's room to talk about their kiss. Hannah ends up finding her drunk cousin on top of Tom, and thinks Tom is just up to his old ways again. She runs back to her room in tears. Tom tries to run after her to explain he was being seduced and wants nothing to do with her cousin. He begs Hannah to talk to him but she refuses to open her door. Tom tries to confess his love for her through the door, but her stubbornness gets the best of her and she tells him she is marrying Colin in the morning. Tom decides he cannot deal with watching Hannah marry Colin so he leaves the next morning without saying goodbye. As Tom is riding away in the car, he decides he has to stop the wedding and win Hannah back. The only transportation Tom can find to the church is by horse. The camera angles make this scene intense and emotional. While you are laughing at Tom riding the horse, you also feel his anticipation of getting to Hannah. After holding on for dear life through the woods, he flies through the church doors as the horse comes to a screeching halt. Of course this happens just as the priest asks if anyone objects to the marriage. Hannah runs to Tom laying face flat on the church floor. As Tom can barely get to his feet, he tells Hannah that her hair looks terrible but he loves her more than anything. Hannah finally gives in and they share their second kiss. Hannah apologizes to Colin and tells him that he is perfect, but just not perfect for her. Colin knocks Tom out, but the scene quickly changes to Hannah and Tom saying their vows. This was a feel good kind of movie. Don't let the stereotype of romantic comedies deter you from watching this film. This is a good story of two people discovering how much their relationship has truly meant to each of them. The actors in this film are what makes it so believable and touching.