Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Lopez in "The Wedding Planner."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film a: Stars: Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey Director: Adam Shankman Rated: PG-13, with moderate profanity Length: 102 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(January 26, 2001) -- With The Wedding Planner, Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey tackle an old-fashioned, romantic comedy, following fitfully in the footsteps of Doris Day and Rock Hudson or, more recently, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

Lopez stars as wedding planner Mary Fiore, who finds herself in an awkward situation -- falling for the groom (McConaughey) in a wedding she's staging.

Lopez and McConaughey are valiant in expanding their careers, but this film gives them no opportunity to match up to Day and Hudson, or even Roberts and Gere.

The chemistry between the two is flat, and neither displays the deft charm needed to pull off this sort of sophisticated comedy.

(There may be better chemistry between Lopez's new film and her new music CD, J.Lo, which hit stores this week. The timing of such simultaneous releases -- both by Sony -- is known among marketing gurus as synergy.)

Admittedly, the stars aren't helped much by a contrived and obvious screenplay, with its parade of two-dimensional supporting characters, or by the uninspired direction of Adam Shankman, a choreographer turned first-time director.

As the film opens, Mary is trying to land the society wedding of the year for her San Francisco firm. But before she has the chance, she and a pediatrician (McConaughey) meet when he saves her from a runaway trash Dumpster on a steep Frisco street. That's what's known in a romantic comedy as meeting "cute."

Typical of the film's over-the-top style, the doctor immediately puts her in a bed at the children's hospital where he's on staff and lets children play with her while he determines whether she has had a concussion. (I think whoever conceived this sequence is the one with the concussion.)

This scene leads to a sort-of date, at a city park for an outdoor movie. And they almost kiss.

Later, when Mary meets with the society wedding party to start the plans, imagine her shock when the groom turns out to be the good doctor.

If that's not enough, Mary's Italian-immigrant papa (Alex Rocco) tries to arrange a marriage for his daughter with an innocent young Italian, fresh off the boat. (I think the writer was still dealing with the concussion.)

Despite this silly distraction, the rest of The Wedding Planner revolves around the complications of the wobbly romantic triangle, complicating the big-time wedding plans.

You may find yourself wishing all concerned had simply eloped.