The Professional Bridesmaid

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.

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.

Ugh. Worst lead actor and actress. I love Hallmark movies but some are really great and some are really bad. This one was cringe-worthy although I did watch it until the end but that's just my personality. The two leads were incredibly awkward together. I feel like the characters were supposed to be a little awkward with one another but this just felt like extreme awkwardness and bad acting. There were so many pauses in the dialogue that I think I spent 75% of the movie rolling my eyes. A couple of the other actresses could use some acting lessons as well I think. Not every actor is meant to be a lead.

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.

Professional bridesmaid Maggie Bailey (Hunter King) is trying to expand her business. Her friend tells her about the mayor's daughter Alexis having her wedding in two weeks. She has to move into the mayoral mansion, be a secret, and be on call 24/7. The mayor has an election in two months and needs a problem-free event for the press. Serious reporter Henry Whittington (Chandler Massey) is new at a lighter magazine assigned to have an all-access pass to the wedding planning although he is desperate for harder news.

I expected Hunter King to be a professional bridesmaid by accident. I didn't know that this job is a thing. I don't see this working unless the bride is a loner trying to have fake friends. I doubt that any bride would like a stranger in all her wedding photos. The premise is so fake that it takes a minute to adjust to it. The secrecy thing is a problem without reason. Maggie could simply be the new wedding planner without all the unnecessary lies.

Once the audience ignores the story, it becomes a silly Hallmark movie. Henry uncovering the secret is also a little silly. There has to be some results for Maisie Ryder. Google returns half a million results. It is a little fun for Henry to do some mystery solving, but the mystery shouldn't have been there in the first place.