Profession demoiselle d'honneur

Back in 2012 Brooke Burns appeared in Undercover Bridesmaid, a similar theme to this film, but the difference in both productions were as wide as the Mississippi. Forget this offering and watch the other- a million times more enjoyable - one being Burns can ACT !

I found it difficult to watch Hunter King without concentrating on her lips - in various scenes her lips were either "filled" or not, most disconcerting. And as for the male lead, it's only the beard that makes him look older than 16 !

This pairing was not made in Heaven, but the storyline could have worked with different actors. I did wonder why the Wedding Planner didn't organise the shower and the flowers, but who cares ? In the end I didn't.

I liked the main characters and the basic bones of the script.

Unfortunately, it was more of the same old, same old.

Main female lead, X, has to hide her true identity.

Main male lead, Y, falls in love with X but doesn't know she isn't who she says she is.

Y overhears a private conversation that reveals the identity of X.

Y gets offended and confronts X, then walks away without hearing the whole story.

Two other women tell Y that it's obvious he's in love with X.

Y returns and forgives X.

X is sorry.

They kiss.

Other side issue is resolved.

The end.

In between all these things is a lot of wedding planning mishaps and X has to jump through hoops to make everyone happy, including finding the hoops.

Just tiring to watch. I was glad when it was over.

7.9 stars.

Say what you will, but this is a refreshing novelty film for Hallmark. Maggie is a professional bridesmaid which is totally unheard of, but what the heck, let's go with it. She is unable to secure a business loan to take her concierge bridesmaid business to the next level, but is offered a very involved and demanding opportunity to provide her services to the mayor's daughter. This could be exactly what she needs.

Next, we have an investigative reporter named Henry who wants to pick the mayor's brain about his plans to allow developers to erect several condominiums in the city park. Instead of getting the story he wants, Henry gets stuck covering the mayor's daughter's wedding. Little does Henry know that Maggie is placed undercover as a regular bridesmaid in order to keep him on a tight leash. She is instructed to make sure he doesn't stray from covering the wedding by diverting his attention from the mayor and his political views about the condo project. Maggie's other duties are to insure the wedding is a success, secretly applying her skills as the "The Professional Bridesmaid". Maggie's true identity as a professional bridesmaid must remain a secret and in the midst of this balancing act Maggie and Henry fall for each other.

We all know how this story ends. Eventually he will discover who Maggie is and she will have no choice but to win back his affections. It's run-of-the-mill Hallmark fare, but I enjoyed it because King and Massey provide us with a twenty-somethings version of love rather than the usual thirty and forty somethings.

As usual, user reviews are somewhat split on this one...some like it, some don't. Personally I totally unimpressed. I've asked before (rhetorically of course) why every Hallmark movie I've ever watched was based on an outright lie, an identity concealment, or the invention of a goofy and mostly unbelievable line of work. I'll close with an opinion I'm sure will be very unpopular with some, but what writers keep creating leading men who are so dense, whiney and gullible! (no reflection on the actor). There doesn't seem to be many normal male characters lately...just men who are weak, misogynistic, not very bright, and/or bumbling idiots who behave as if they've never spoken to a woman before. Lol.

The first thing that occurred to me on this is how much Hunter King looks like Rachael Leigh Cook.

As the story progressed, of course it was pretty formula for Hallmark, but I thought it was pretty well put together. There were the right amount of mishaps. There was just enough tears to go with the laughter. And I think it was just enough short of sappy to be a good way to spend a couple of hours.

Peter Benson has managed to successfully navigate the course from bit part, to old boyfriend, to leading man, and now does an admirable job as director.

It isn't Oscar worthy, but only because it wasn't striving for greatness. It's what is expected from a Hallmark movie of the week, which is wholesome entertainment which leaves you with a smile on your face while not forgetting to show a bit of real heart. 9/10.