TOM LOVES HIS LIFE. UNTIL HE REALIZES HE ALSO LOVE HIS BEST FRIENDS HANNAH. BUT WHEN HANNA GET ENGAGED TO A DASHING SCOTSMAN & ASKS HIM TO BE HER MAID OF HONOR, TOM FACES HOSTILE BRIDESMAIDS, BRIDAL SHOWERS & BAD... more » HAIR DAYS, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO PULL OFF THE PERFECT WEDDING - AND STEAL THE BRIDE!« less
"And a rainy day. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the film.
Tom (Dempsey) and Hannah (Monaghan) met at a Cornell costume bash 10 years before when a drunken Tom, dressed as President Clinton, stumbled into a dorm room and a girl's bed thinking he'd found "Monica". Turned out he'd gotten the wrong girl. "Monica" was Hannah's inebriated roomie.
They were friends from that moment, sharing Sundays, confidences, and desserts. Tom didn't know how much they shared til Hannah headed for Scotland and stayed gone six weeks. He was ready to propose when she came back, but she returned with a man, Colin (McKidd).
Hannah and Colin were going to be wed in Scotland in two weeks and Hannah couldn't think of anyone she wanted to be her Made of Honor more than her longtime best friend. Tom reluctantly accepted, secretly agreeing to become the best maid of honor and wreck the wedding.
What happens had me laughing until tears streamed down my face. I needed the break and "Made" defintely offered it. Tom hosting the wedding shower was a screamer--particularly when the jealous female friend who wanted to be the "MOH" set him up with a sex toy salesperson and Hannah's sweet Grandma ended up with a necklace of 'thunderbeads.' Then, of course, there was the Highland Games with Tom and Colin tacitly competing for Hannah's hand, Tom dressed in a mini kilt. (Nope, he wasn't dressed regimental--darn!)
Director Sydney Pollack showed up in a rare movie role as Tom's oft-wed Dad. The prenup agreement with Wife 5 (or was it 6, Dad can't remember) had me roaring. The car with the intended bride had to literally go around the block at the church to iron out last-minute details.
Plus, the scenery from Scotland was amazing. I recognized some places I'd been a few years before--and definitely remembered the flock of Hieland Coos stopping traffic on mainstreet.
The music was good, a mix of contemporary plus some old Scottish tunes. I notice there's no soundtrack available. I hope there will be one. It was a pretty decent collection.
The film's what you'd expect and yet, it's still entertaining. And, sometimes you just need something that's a gimme when it's a rainy day and a cheap laugh will lift a few clouds.
Rebecca Kyle, May 2008"
Why?!
GetMadTillYaGetGlad29 | Chicago,Il | 06/28/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Uhmmm...this wasn't that great. As a matter of fact it was downright mediocre and predictable. Some of the acting was so-so even though I think they could have picked a better love interest/best friend. That chick's performance really didn't do it for me. It tried to be funny but I only managed to chuckle at the scene with the old grandma. On the flip side, at least Kadeem Hardison got a paycheck this time around because Lord knows I haven't seen him in anything that relevant since "A Different World". Other than that, I think that the director and the remaining cast and crew, with the exception of Patrick Dempsey and Kadeem Hardison, should all donate their paychecks to aid the cyclone victims in Myanmar. That would have been a better idea than producing such mediocre rubbish."
A lovely and fun date movie
Judy K. Polhemus | LA | 11/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Made of Honor" is a fine vehicle for the easy-on-the-eyes Patrick Dempsey, a veritable draw for female viewers. In the lead role he plays a promiscuous player with very strict rules which disallow emotional engagement. On the surface he is a pig but he plays the part charmingly. It really is difficult to imagine this refined man in such a role.
Michelle Monaghan, his co-star, plays his best friend of ten years (after a chance meeting in college when he was seeking his next conquest). They genuinely enjoy each other's company. Early on, her character shows a little secret through facial acting. This is more than friendship. The story will obviously lead to an open declaration of love. But how?
Hannah's museum sends her on an acquisition trip to Scotland, where she meets an incredibly eligible Scotsman, a man of wealth and royalty. Modern girl really does meet Prince Charming. When he knows he will lose his best friend, Tom (Dempsey) rethinks his relationship, especially after she asks him to be her maid of honor.
The rest of the movie is his quest to attain the lovely Hannah as HIS wife, not as the handsome Scotsman's. His friends advise him, her friends are there as fluff characters. After seeing the family in action, viewers know that this marriage cannot be. Of course, we already know they must "get" each other.
"Made of Honor" is an enjoyable way to spend one hour and 31 minutes. You won't learn any important lessons about life, but you will see some beautiful, rugged Scottish scenery. The summer castle that belongs to Colin's family is actually Eilean Donan, reported to be the most photographed castle in the British Isles because of its location. No one lives there as it is in possession of Scotland's Tourist Board (not sure of exact name) and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland. (I've been there and helped it earn it photographic reputation!)
"
As Romantic Comedies Go, This One Has it Made
Mark Baker | Santa Clarita, CA United States | 09/16/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In college, Tom (Patrick Dempsey) was a lady's man. He slept with anyone who will have him. Sneaking into a room one night, he accidentally meets Hannah (Michelle Monaghan). Despite their less then great meeting, the two hit if off and become friends.
Flash forward 10 years, and little has changed. Tom spends every night with a different woman. And he spends all day hanging out with Hannah, who is now working for a museum. The two are close friends, but that is all.
Until one day when Hannah leaves on a six week trip to Scotland. It doesn't take Tom long to realize that he truly loves Hannah. In fact, the separation is killing him. He intends to act on his new found feelings as soon as she gets back.
But when Hannah returns, it is with Colin (Kevin McKidd) in tow. The two met in Scotland and are engaged. To further add to Tom's misery, Hannah asks him to be her maid of honor. Tom is reluctant, but decides he can break the wedding apart better from the inside. But with the ceremony only two weeks again, can Tom make Hannah fall for him?
So let's get the obvious out of the way first, the story is predictable. So, the movie is going to rise of fall based on how well everything else comes off.
And it comes off reasonably well. Hannah is likable from the start. I admit it took me a little while to warm up to Tom since I'm not a fan of cads. But as the movie progressed, I found it easy to root for him. In fact, I cared about the characters enough to get invested in the outcome.
And the story is funny. There are quite a few great moments that had me laughing, especially Tom's friends helping him learn how to be a maid of honor.
This movie is just an escapist romantic comedy. But that's all it wanted to be in the first place. If you keep that in mind going into it, you'll have a good time."