Review of The Bachelor (1999) by Clover J — 16 Nov 2006

Best in Show: Renee Zellweger.

One for the future: Renee Zellweger.

Stand-out scene: Bride-filled church.

Brainer or no-brainer: No brainer.

Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: One.

DVD commentary any good?: n/a.

TV.

Rom coms are an acquired taste but I can stomach the occasional helping of schmaltz. This falls into the middle ground of the genre being not particularly original but then again not particularly bad. The basic premise of the movie - that a series of woman would turn down the chance for a share of an £100 million dollar fortune on the basis that they are not in love with the groom in question stretches credulity somewhat. Especially as the groom is Chris O'Donnell, but this is a movie world and basic truths don't apply. O'Donnell is Jimmie Shannon, heir apparent to a sports equipment fortune. His partner, Anne caught the bouquet at the last wedding they attended and he feels railroaded into popping the question. When Anne (Renee Zellweger) politely declines as she can tell "in his eyes" that he's still a bachelor at heart Jimmie believes he has had a close escape. Upon the death of his grandfather (Peter Ustinov in one of his last big screen appearances) he discovers that the will carries a string of clauses, one of which is that he be married to someone he genuinely loves before the exact time he turns 30. The remainder of the movie is his attempts to find a bride after Anne turns him down for a second time and he looks to a string of previous girlfriends to try and get them to agree to the terms of the will. The film moves along at an agreeable pace and even though you can easily guess the outcome of the film it's worth watching. Cameo appearances from the likes of Mariah Carey, Sarah Silverman and Brooke Shields as former paramours of O'Donnell are amusing, as is the sight of a church full of brides answering Jimmie's best friend's last ditch classified ad attempt to get his buddie hitched. Not that bad but not that good either.