 
27 Dresses
MPAA Rating:
 for language, some innuendo and sexualityReviewed by: Mia J. Best Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Average
Primary Audience:
Adults
Genre:
Romance, Comedy
Length:
1 hr. 47 min.
Year of Release:
2008
USA Release:
January 18, 2008 (wide - 3,000 theaters), Sneak showings made on Sunday, Jan. 13
“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.”
review updated January 30, 2008 What little girl hasn’t fantasized about her trip down the aisle in a dress usually reserved for princesses to see her prince, her knight in shining armor beaming at her as she approaches to take his hand in marriage and begin her happily ever after? For Jane, the fantasy is all consuming, a quiet little obsession, which she thinks is a calling and nurtures through helping everyone else’s fantasy become a reality. Thus, she becomes the perfect bridesmaid, paying attention to every little detail as if it were her own, living vicariously through the happiness of others while she hopes “someday it will be my day.” Katherine Heigel is wonderfully warm as “plain” Jane who is always the bridesmaid in this by-the-numbers romantic comedy “27 Dresses.” Written by Aline Brosh McKenna (“The Devil Wears Prada”), the film makes fun of the wedding industry and culture by relying on several age-old jokes, like women vying to catch the bouquet and, of course, the dreadful bridesmaid dress which brides think can be worn again by simply shortening it. Although this film is predictable and a bit formulaic, Katherine Heigel is a delight to watch and completely believable as Jane. James Marsden, perhaps best known as Cyclops from the “X-Men” trilogy, plays Kevin “Matthew” Doyle, a cynical wedding writer eager to find his “ticket out of the taffeta ghetto.” Marsden seemed to rely on his boyish grin throughout his performance. Malin Ackerman has a Cameron Diaz quality to her look but gave only a passing performance as Jane’s bratty sister Tess. Even with mediocrity surrounding her, Heigel’s performance will have audiences rooting for Jane to find true love. At least the Hollywood version of true love, that is. [What is true love and how do you know when you have found it? Answer]
For the Christian who knows that true love is much more than a fairytale, this movie will still be entertaining. Jane’s character is much like Martha in Luke 10:38-42, busy and pre-occupied with the well being of others so much that she doesn’t take the time to nurture the relationship that will benefit her own well-being. The most glaring misuse of scripture was Marsden’s character misquoting 1 Corinthians 13 saying, “Love is patient, love is kind, love is slowly losing your mind.” Midway through the film, Heigel’s character says she is “Jesus” in response to a snide comment by Doyle. There were at least five or more references to God or Jesus Christ’s name taken in vain. The use of profanity was an average of 20 or more references for the entire movie. The first instance of such profanity does occur within the first five minutes of the film, however. Another use of profanity was purposefully masked when Jane screams a partially heard sexual expletive in exasperation. There were two brief sexual encounters shown, both outside of marriage, but most was left to the viewers’ imaginations. Some of the humor was based on sexual innuendo and getting drunk. There was no nudity shown. One scene implied nudity but did not reveal anything more than a woman’s shoulders. In addition, there was a scene with an actress in a corsette and tap pants (or boy shorts) revealed for a couple of minutes prior to putting on a wedding dress. Overall, I would recommend this movie for adults because Jane's character is believable and relatable to many women. Although most of the jokes are familiar, they are still amusing. I do not recommend this movie for children due to the profanity and sexual innuendo. See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Comments below:
Positive
Positive - I truly loved this movie! It was a joy to watch, if you are a hopeless romantic like myself. While the movie was not perfectly clean, it was much better than the norm these days.… Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5 —Angela Altimus, age 27 Positive - I think this movie was very good. I went to see it with my youth group.
There is just one part of the movie with premarital sex but other than that this was a Great movie.
Neutral
Neutral - Excellent review. I read it before I went to see the movie, and I still agree with it after seeing the film. But I found the movie only mildly entertaining. It is too formulaic for my taste. Heigl's performance, however, was excellent. There were a few worthwhile messages, for example, it is worth waiting for the right one, and in the Christian world, this would mean God's best, and also that marriage should be based on truth and sufficient knowledge of the other person's character and values, and not based on mere impressions. Neutral - …The use of the phrases 'my God' and 'oh my God' over and over again was disturbing, and the language was gratuitous, not to mention the sexual suggestiveness of Jane's friend. …My wife and daughter (a senior in college) enjoyed the movie, as did I, except for the aforementioned parts.… Negative
Negative - This movie was so offensive. Although I do think they miss a great opportunity to make a great story of being a women who doesn’t compromise in order to fine her true love. There was numerous usage of the (Sh) word and other offensive words too. Worse is the message that this movie is sends to adolescent girls and to women…is that premarital sex is fine that have numerous sex partners is fine and therapeutic and that being a wonderful nice girl doesn’t pay until you compromise. Our heroine ends up getting so drunk and looses her inhabitations and has sex with almost a complete stranger that really beautiful NOT! The message clearly is that having sex in cars with someone you don’t love is fine and fun. Revenge is the way you can make your life will turn out like you desired. Also another terrible message is that feelings are your gage to love and sex and a single kiss can tell you weather you are in love. Sounds like the movie “Enchanted” which was clearly a fantasy. I was amazed at how many young girls were in the audience behind was a women with two little girls so young and impressible that one ask to be carried out she must have been 4 or 5. So if you plan on seeing this movie, which I don’t recommend, don’t bring your daughters, for it dishonors all that the Word of God teaches us and it hurts the heart of God that we continue to be entertained while compromising our Christian walk. I normally don’t see any movies with swearing and now I will defiantly wait till I can read a review. Col. 1:10 Col. 1:9-10 Negative - I went to see “27 Dresses” last night with a friend and was very disappointed! Although I enjoyed the story line, and thought Katherine Heigl did a great job as Jane, the language, in my opionion, was very offensive. My friend and I exchanged glances many times during the movie because of the foul language. Jane's good friend had a very vulgar mouth, and seemed to be all about 'getting naked.' I'm certain she was meant to be an entertaining and funny character but I did not find her so! This could have been a great movie if it wasn't for the language and the sex in the car between the two main characters. Why does a potentially good movie have to be ruined by horrible language? Also, Jane saying she was Jesus was very offensive. Why do filmmakers have to abuse His beautiful name and misuse scripture, as Kevin Doyle did in the film? Leave Jesus out of it, as He had nothing to do with the film in the first place! I would not recommend this film if you are very sensitive to foul language and sexual references. I just couldn't ignore it. Comments from young people
Positive - …I really enjoyed it. It was funny, cute and the ending didn't leave me disappointed; it left me feeling happy and glad that this movie was good. It was definitely not a waste of money. If you’re a girl who loved “The Devil Wears Prada,” this movie is perfect for you. Positive - 27 Dresses was a GREAT movie, it was a sweet little love story that was loved by my 15 year old sister and my mom. It did have a few words that were used quite a few times, but it wasen't overwhelming. And the sex it has mentioned is not really in the story at all. It shows some kissing and then in the morning she is covered with a sheet. I love it, and i would recomend it for all age groups. |
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