27 DRESSES
US, 2007, 111 minutes, Colour.
Katherine Heigl, Edward Burns, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Brian Kerwin, Judy Greer.
Directed by Anne Fletcher.
Good advice is what I need.
I am still not sure whether the term ‘chickflick’ is sexist and/or stereotypical. In the past there was ‘a woman’s picture’ but that now sounds discriminating. On the other hand, it seems all right to refer to a ‘man’s picture’, especially if it is full of gung-ho action. That one could also be called ‘one for the boys’ or ‘one for the boyos’. But there is still a problem about how to refer to 27 Dresses (screenplay by the writer of The Devil Wears Prada – what else? – and directed by choreographer, Anne Fletcher).
Let me venture my reaction. I have a good friend who passes on police thrillers to me. Sometimes she hesitates and tells me that a book is probably too ‘girly’ for my taste: it is probably filled with ‘women’s business’, secret or otherwise. Anyway, ‘girly’ was the word that came to mind within a few minutes of the film starting. A predeliction for bridal wear is fairly necessary for this film. The title’s 27 dresses are in the wardrobe of the main character, bridesmaid’s dresses. A habit and tolerance for fashion magazines would not go astray either.
Since I have started the review with very personal responses to the film, I will take the liberty of adding a further distraction. As I watched the charming Katherine Heigl’s absolute dedication to wedding planning, wedding attendance and wedding obsessions, the number two came to mind. For those who are involved in the Enneagram, she is an extreme example of a 2! – and for Myers Briggs devotees, she is a living ESFJ.
What more can one say? Katherine Heigl (who was so good in the funny, Knocked Up) has fine comic timing, can seem an ugly duckling only because the screenplay says she is, gets entangled with multiple weddings on the one evening (taxiing back and forth between them), is silently in love with her boss (Edward Burns), finds her sister engaged to him and is pestered by a cynical reporter that she can’t stand and who is the likeliest contender (despite their screwball comedy spats) for her walking down the aisle to wed. He is played with toothy and smiling charm by James Marsden from the X Men movies (and the grinning MC from Hairspray and the humorously two-dimensional Prince Charming from Enchanted).
The reviewer who sat next to me is definitely into realism and plausibility. She also definitely dislikes films which initially criticise some issue and finally indulge in it. She was not amused. I think I was, but, beyond that, I leave it to the connoisseurs of 27 or more dresses.
1. A different romantic comedy? The perpetual bridesmaid and the challenge to her life and outlook?
2. New York City, offices, apartments, city locations? The countryside? The musical score?
3. The focus of the title, on the dresses, Jane as bridesmaid, the 27 weddings? The visuals of the dresses? Jane wearing them? Flashbacks to the various weddings and Jane’s participation? The photos, Kevin and his article and the display?
4. Jane and her voiceover, her own story, of herself and Tess, the death of their mother, the place of their father? Jane and her bringing up Tess, her heightened sense of responsibility?
5. The frantic nature of her going from wedding to wedding, continually changing dresses, the taxi driver and his help, participating in each wedding? Vote of thanks?
6. Jane and her work, devotion to George, the comments from Casey? Her inability to express herself to George, doing his menial work? Including the dry-cleaning?
7. Casey, tough style, friendship with Jane, out together, the comments? Her reaction to Jane’s slideshow, taking her to task? Her reaction to being invited to be Tess’ bridesmaid?
8. George, pleasant, his hobbies, hiking, vegetarian, the environment? Working with Jane? Suddenly seeing Tess, his fascination, believing all her stories, the proposal – Jane walking in at the wrong time? The build-up to the wedding, Tess playing up to him? Jane and her sense of frustration, the preparations for the wedding, George’s involvement? The preparation of the slide program, the exposé of Tess and her beliefs, her lies? George walking out, the wedding off? Jane coming to the office for the printing, her talking about loving him, the kiss – and the lack of dynamic? George and his work with the Big Brother organisation, the young boy, taking him to baseball, supporting him? A good man?
9. Kevin, the touch of the cynic, his articles, his noticing Jane and the many weddings? His own job, his boss and her demands, his writing the article? The encounters with Jane, frank talking, at her home, seeing the 27 dresses, her trying them on, his photographs, wanting delay the article, his tough boss and her decisions, his being out with Jane, the rain, going into the bar, the drinks, the talk, the singing of Benny and the Jets, the night together? The aftermath, the article, her reaction? Casey reassuring her? George and his concern and reassuring her? Tess and her outburst against Jane, her jealousy? Jane wanting to be just like Tess, and Tess wanting to be just like Jane?
10. The frank talk between Jane and Tess, memories of the past, Tess and Jane’s help, then wanting to be on her own, travelling, men friends, the truth about losing her job, the lies to George? The vulgarity of the slides of Tess compared with the decorum of those of George?
11. Jane, her relationship with her father, his standing back? The people challenging her to think about herself, Kevin urging her to say no and practising, her outburst with the slides, unleashing the repression?
12. The wedding, her leaping on to the boat, the microphone, seeing Kevin, her declarations to him?
13. One year later, Tess and her being the wedding arranger? Jane and her wedding, the look on Kevin’s face (just the kind of expression she had wanted those)? George and the boy present? Jane’s father? At the very happy ending?
