The Professional Bridesmaid

I had trouble initially with the lead actress...there were some early awkward moments and I almost bailed on the movie altogether, but with a little help from her male lead played by Chandler Massey I warmed to the romance. Chandler Massey put in a stellar performance as the fish out of water investigative reporter Henry, who has been asked to cover the wedding of a politicians daughter. He was warm and really pulled this in to a sincere romantic film. Meanwhile, Maggie has been hired to be the professional bridesmaid at the same wedding. Unfortunately, this means discretion and keeping both her true identity and profession under wraps. Then she is handed the added responsibility of distracting Henry, which she almost successfully does...during these distractions the film almost becomes an advertisement for weddings as it is loaded with wedding trivia...like that the bridesmaids dress the same to "confuse evil spirits" and that the bouquet is tossed because it to was thought to ward off evil spirits. (Lot's of evil spirits.) Queen Victoria is the first to wear a white wedding gown.

The wedding facts were fun and if you can get over some awkwardness with the lead actress particularly at the beginning of the film...I think fellow romantics will warm up to the romance thanks to Chandler Massey and enjoy the film. Not my favorite Hallmark romance offering, but different and still a recommendation. I hope we get to see more of Massey.

The professional bridesmaid angle is close but slightly different from the wedding planner premise. The overall flow of the movie follows this plot thread. It includes the requirement that she keep the big Secret of her identity. The other part of the premise is an investigative reporter sent to cover the wedding. This premise usually leads inevitably to a certain conflict near the end, but not here which I found refreshing. Henry was only mildly annoying in his reporter persona which allowed him to be likeable on the whole. Another thing I found refreshing was skipping the usual initial antagonism between the leads. Henry and Maggie/Maise met and engaged nicely with one another.

Some of the elements used for mild tension in the heart of the movie are a little weak. We're told the mayor can't be confronted by Henry because the electorate will be evenly divided no matter what stance he takes on the park. Unlikely. More like his campaign doners' interests will be contrary to the majority of the public. And then there's Chloe. Her thread is just a mess with some unlikely details also.

Another minor twist is the source of the inspiration for the resolution of the Conflict which results inevitably for obvious reasons.

The acting is decent. Hunter King and Chandler Massey have chemistry. Other players did their part but I can't decide whether Lillian Doucet-Roche succeeded as Chloe deliberately or just fell into the portrayal of this sadly confused woman. The dialogue is decent but not sparkling. This movie lacked an opportunity for Hallmark's signature scenery.

I rate this movie slightly on the high side of my average for this genre because of the unexpected plot lines and because of Hunter King as the appealing Maggie.

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.

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.

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.