On Screen / Linda Cook

"Made of Honor" deserves some accolades

By Linda Cook | Tuesday, May 13, 2008 | () comments

(Sony Pictures) Patrick Dempsey, left, and Michelle Monaghan star in "Made of Honor" Buy this Photo

A cut above others of its kind, “Made of Honor” sweeps viewers into a sweet fantasy that’s a blend of good Scotch, New York City and a leading lady with two charming male leads.

Never has a movie tried so hard to entertain, and it mostly succeeds, with juggling, bagpipes, Celtic competitions, dreamy shots of Scotland and more than a couple shots of Scotch. It’s the lack of chemistry in its forced conclusion that cheats the viewer, not the added attractions.

Patrick Dempsey is Tom, a lothario type who meets Hannah (Michelle Monaghan, “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”) during his senior year in college. Hannah is brutally honest with him, so even though the two don’t become lovers, they do become friends.

Tom continues to sleep his way through the beautiful women of New York City, where he continues to live out his strict rules for noncommittal relationships. On Sundays, he enjoys quiet conversations with Hannah, who hears all about his adventures in womanizing.

His little universe is shaken when Hannah takes off to Scotland on a six-week business trip. He shares this with the guys with whom he regularly plays basketball. They point out that the setup may be great for Tom, but Hannah may tire of the platonic relationship and want something more.

Tom decides he has feelings for Hannah and swears he will tell her as soon as she returns home. And return home she does, with her arm on a handsome Scot named Colin (Kevin McKidd, “Trainspotting”). Hannah asks Tom to be her “maid of honor” and he agrees, but only as a ruse to disrupt the fast-approaching marriage. And as Tom and his friends get to know Colin better, they discover that it’s going to be difficult to make the handsome, athletic, wealthy man appear to be anything but a good catch.

The performances are fine, although the script doesn’t allow Tom and Hannah to fully develop their feelings for each other. Tom’s realization that he cares for Hannah obviously is contrived to deliver the expected ending to the storyline.

The movie deserves some accolades for the little extras that bring it to an above-standard level: Dempsey can juggle plates (!); McKidd is an impressive athlete and singer; and, not surprisingly, Scotland is full of gorgeous, beckoning scenery.

It’s not made of Oscar material. But it’s not made of junk, either.

‘MADE OF HONOR’

HH 1/2

Running time: One hour and 41 minutes

Rated: PG-13 for sexual situations and foul language