The Wedding Ringer (2015)

the-wedding-ringerWhat do you do when you’re in a jam and don’t have any friends to ask for help? In January 2015, Doug found a friend in the strangest of ways.

Directing this 101 minute comedy/romance is Jeremy Garelick.

Bring the laughs is: Kevin Hart as Jimmy Callahan/Bic, Josh Gad as Doug Harris, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting as Gretchen Palmer, Jorge Garcia as Lurch/Garvey, Affion Crockett as Reggie/Drysdale, Dan Gill as Bronstein/Dickerson, Corey Holcomb as Otis/Alzado, Colin Kane as Fitzgibbons/Plunkett, Alan Ritchson as Kip/Carew, Aaron Takahashi as Endo/Rambis, Olivia Thirlby as Alison Palmer, Mimi Rogers as Lois Palmer and Ken Howard as Ed Palmer.

Doug has met the woman of his dreams and is getting ready to get married. That should be the greatest thing in the world for Doug. However, Doug has a small problem, he has no friends, which means he has no one to ask to be his best man. Luckily for Doug there’s a man named Jimmy who has a business that can help with with that. Need a best man? Jimmy’s your man! What Jimmy doesn’t know yet is Doug’s wedding is going to be the hardest job he’s had to pull off.

Writers Jeremy Garelick and Jay Lavender came up with a pretty decent story. It reminded me of the Will Smith movie Hitch (2005). Awkward guy has trouble meeting ladies, a cool guy named Hitch could help with that. Here, instead of needing help meeting the ladies, it’s needing help finding “friends” for certain situations. Jimmy Callahan can become your best friend and help fill your empty grooms men slots… for a price. For the most part, it’s funny and has a good script.

The playthrough was good, and it keeps a steady pace all the way through. I liked most of the flick, but there were a few spots that I could have done without. I don’t mind montages, heck most of the time they’re awesome, but some can go on a little too long, which is what happened here. Other than that, everything going on will give you some laughs, but the flick really doesn’t stick with you once it’s over.

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I thought the cast had some talented people filling the slots. There’s a lot of comedic power mixed throughout the cast, I just wish a few of them had received more screen time. I felt like there was some wasted potential with some of the people only getting a few lines here and there. Giving a few of the other comedic cast members more time could have spread out the laughs a bit more instead of putting it all on Hart to carry. Not that Hart isn’t funny, or can’t handle a lead role, because he can. However, spreading things could have made room for bigger laughs instead of quick gags, which would have helped this movie not get lost amongst the other average comedy flicks floating around.

Summary : I would say this is one of those films that falls into my one and done pile. I've seen it, and probably never will again. Hey, not every movie has staying or re-watching power, it's not to say it's not good, but sadly some flicks are destined to fade off into the void of forgotten entertainment... like this one will. So, wait for the rental, get your laughs and go on with life.

It's rated R for nudity and language.


Rating


Average

3