Una sposa in affitto

13 July 2012. Perhaps the closest movie that The Decoy Bride might be compared to Notting Hill (1999) and America's Sweethearts (2001) and yet for all their famous girl meets ordinary guy or plain girl meets famous guy, or Sabrina (1954) and yet for all the famous star polish, this movie has a twist as well as geographical character that has a charm all its own and as such is almost believable in both its underlying simplicity and authenticity. The director should be credited with never having the Paparazzo nemesis become some bumbling idiot and in some ways the scriptwriter's divergence from the traditional storyline is another one of the niceties of the movie's charm. So while Simple Irresistible (1999) had its food magic, Dave (1993) had the Oval Office, My Super Ex-Girlfriend had (2006) had superheroes, Working Girl (1988) had a prostitute, or even Bewitched (2005) had strictly speaking magic magic, The Decoy Bride has the landscape, the isolated uniqueness of the quaint Calendar Girls (2003).

This is a gentle romantic comedy that has humor and light but doesn't hit you over the head with it.

I suspect this movie is not rated higher generally because it does not have the laugh a minute ridiculousness of most modern day American rom-coms. It moves at the slow pace of the village were it takes place where time somewhat stands still and happiness is found in the familiar. The fact that it stars David Tennant is just icing on the cake; the supporting cast which includes Kelly MacDonald (Boardwalk Empire)and Alice Eve (Entourage)is just cherries on the icing on the cake.

A movie in the vein of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill (with some lovely scenery from the Isle of Man), I highly recommended spending an evening with it.

However, something was missing.

And I just love romantic comedies!

I might be wrong, but I think what was lacking was genuine emotion, and chemistry between the couples who were supposed to end up together - it is clear from the start who will end up with whom, but I just couldn't really feel it between them. It felt a bit fake and forced upon them.

Overall, it is a cute little film, relaxing and in the end, it makes you feel good.

I definitely encourage you to give it a chance, it is a good pastime for a lazy evening. :)

My girlfriends and I saw this movie over the weekend, & I went into it fully expecting a pretty awful romantic comedy. I was happily mistaken. "The Decoy Bride" is exactly what a good romantic comedy should be--light, fresh, funny, and endearing. The plot itself wasn't anything you weren't going to be able to guess within the first five minutes, but it also didn't take itself too seriously. David Tennant and Kelly MacDonald were lovely, and the supporting cast was well-drawn and relatable. The script itself was very well-written; it was funny in the same way your best friend is funny, and it never became mean-spirited.

It's hard to find a re-watchable romantic comedy these days, and I'm glad I finally did. It definitely puts a smile on your face.

I thought this would be crap since the plot summery sounded like so many clichéd comedies that have been done to death. I was surprised to discover however a superbly acted and well written comedy that has nice location photography and moves at a brisk pace. What more can one ask for in these cinematically barren times? And last but not least the performance by Kelly Macdonald is as excellent as one has grown to expect from watching her in Boardwalk Empire. I hope she continues to make films since I believe she is one of the best comic actresses around. She would be really good opposite Hugh Grant for instance. However, I doubt that will ever happen. Anyhow, I recommend this film without reservation.