Darcy and Tom gather their families for the ultimate destination wedding, but when the entire wedding party is taken hostage, the bride and groom must save their loved ones–if they don’t kill each other first.
I have to admit this film was a big surprise for both my companion who accompanied me to the screening and me. We were both guilty of flat-out artistic snobbery in our predetermination that the film had to be a “bomb” primarily because the cast, headed by producer and star Jennifer Lopez, portended a film simple “rom-com” prospect, according to us. Fortunately, the theater was fitted with highly comfy reclining seats, and a menu offered tempting food and drinks. We could, at least, endure the coming artistic fiasco in comfort and satiation.
We shed our snobbery almost immediately as we entered the opening scene, where we learn Darcy (Lopez) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) are engaged to be married. The setting is a privately owned remote island in the Philippines where the couple is attempting a DIY wedding that will give Darcy what she has always dreamed of but at the least cost. Tom is a pro baseball player whose career isn’t exactly stellar, as he is referred to as a “designated hitter” who doesn’t pull in the big bucks. In the opening, we meet all the major characters, the wedding guests, and the families of Tom and Darcy, and the fun begins!
Writer Mark Hammer constructs a very clever, entertaining script brought to life by a well-chosen cast. Jennifer Coolidge plays Tom’s mother, and Cheech Marin, Darcy’s father, attends the wedding with his new, much younger girlfriend. A complication rolls in with introducing an old flame of Darcy’s in the person of actor/musician Lenny Kravitz. The couple looking to tie the knot, Lopez and Duhamel, make perfect foils and create great chemistry between them.
As the time for the big event approaches and all seems in place, a band of pirates storm the island and take all the wedding guests hostage. Clever casting and character development add diversion and hilarity to the plot. Jennifer Coolidge, as always, is bigger than life as Tom’s mother, although she isn’t the stock character from “Legally Blonde” or “Best in Show.” Hammer tones her down a bit for her to play off the other characters.
Lenny Kravitz, Darcy’s old flame, appears unexpectedly at the wedding, adding intrigue and sparking jealousy in Tom and probably every other male guest. Kravitz is just SEX in a white suit (and no accompanying shirt). His supposed new sidekick is none other than the bride’s father, aka Cheech Marin. Marin adds another element of quirkiness to a growing sea of quirkiness that literally fills a swimming pool of offbeat characters.
I found this a hilarious, entertaining film with a plot that carries the action along with clever twists and turns. There is slapstick, but it’s sophisticated slapstick, and it works. The dialogue is overflowing with hilarious punchlines. Lopez and Duhamel play off each other beautifully. It turned out to be a film I would see again. There was so much to see and hear; I’m sure I missed some great lines and visual jokes. Kudos to director Jason Moore and writer Mark Hammer. Great teamwork!
Available on Amazon Prime Video Friday, January 27th
