Review of The Decoy Bride (2011) by Spencer S — 19 Jul 2012

A film starring three seminally famous UK actors from the IFC film series, this romantic comedy actually has a bit of heart in places and features some very nice moments between our two leads. The film itself places quite a bit of comedy and even atmosphere on the setting of the film: an island named Hegg off the shores of Scotland.

The film features David Tennant (Doctor Who) and Alice Eve (Sex and the City 2) as a bedraggled Hollywood couple trying to get married in a secluded place where the paparazzi can't find them. I found this already incredible to believe since countless couples marry in secret without such effort from the press, but apparently the character of Lara Tyler (Eve) is so famous she has her own stalker.

(who is supposed to come off as charming, which is find unsettling.) A recent fleeing bride herself, Katie (Macdonald) meets the groom in a meet cute, and then is employed as a distraction from Lara's disappearance, as she is the only single woman still on the deserted island.

Though it's not really all too original, the islanders are really something special. They have personalities that doesn't come off as stilted or tacky, with a mother who is disabled and dying, coming off quirky and corrupted by a desire to travel the world before she dies.

It even features some very poetic language as the groom is a famous author whose book the bride is obsessed with. The ending is cheesy and formulaic and yes there is a guilty pleasure element to it, but really the characters are entertaining and the setting is somewhat magical if not kitschy.

I especially loved Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) as the assistant/wedding planner to Lara Tyler. He always brings something unique and bitchy to his roles, here again as the dramatic sidekick to the ensuing shenanigans.

Some great acting from all involved and two leads who actually have chemistry, Decoy isn't all bad, and not all good. Just what you would expect from a low budget film.