The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Out & About

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Twenty-seven: The number of outrageously heinous bridesmaid dresses Katherine Heigl's character, Jane, keeps hoarded in her closet, and the number of times, at the very least, you'll find yourself smiling during the first major romantic comedy of 2008. "27 Dresses" may not have the most original plot ever written, but it serves its purpose.

The movie is satisfying and a quick fix for the need of warm and fuzzy that is sure to creep upon you during these unbearably cold January nights. Written by Aline Brosh McKenna and directed by Anne Fletcher, it's your typical story of "always a bridesmaid, never a bride," the movie's clichéd tagline.

Lacking the acclaimed raunchiness and far less hilarious than Heigl's first romantic comedy stint and major blockbuster, "Knocked Up," and not nearly as tension-bound as the award-winning TV series "Grey's Anatomy," "27 Dresses" is easygoing from start to finish and reminiscent of 2003's "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."

Heigl's Jane is madly in love with her boss, George (Edward Burns), who becomes engaged to her little sister, Tess (Malin Akerman). Having been the ultimate bridesmaid in all 27 weddings she has been a part of, Jane is forced to do the same for her sister as persistent journalist Kevin, played by James Marsden, forces his way into her life for the sake of his work.

Marsden, last seen as Prince Edward in Disney's 2007 holiday release "Enchanted," and Heigl create likable characters, making it easy to root for both.

The movie lacks surprises and is even painfully predictable at times. One of the more comedic scenes comes with a relatable, mutilated rendition by Heigl and Marsden of Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets," but you can see it coming from the moment those familiar, abrupt piano notes emerge in the background of their drunken dialogue.

You can almost see the wheels slowly cranking in their blurred, intoxicated heads forming the words "I love this song" seconds before John's lyrics fill the theater, accompanied by Heigl and Marsden with onscreen, embarrassing moves and nonsensical lyrics.

Even with its absence of uniqueness and unforeseen situations, this movie is enjoyable. Providing an escape from the dullness of winter, it is a spirit lifter and, as one exiting moviegoer proclaimed, "It's so damn cute."

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