Hit Play: The Wedding Ringer
by Aly Lalji
When you watch a comedy centred on a wedding, regardless which A-List star is on the bill, expectations are naturally low. Sometimes, however, it's nice to walk out pleasantly surprised. I’m pleased to say that The Wedding Ringer did just that. It has charm, wit and riveting moments. People will compare this to Bride Wars or Bridesmaids but from the male perspective. However, as the film embarks, sailing on a sea of cliches that we are all too familiar with, it hits an iceberg twist and shies away from the typical wedding genre.
Two weeks shy of his wedding, Doug Harris (Gad) a socially awkward guy enters into the charade of hiring the owner of a company that provides best men for grooms in need. Jimmy Callahan played by Hart is a man of charisma, charm and coolness. At this stage no one but Hart can play the best man any better. He has surpassed the flair that Chris Tucker once had and he is now considered the new Eddie Murphy at the height of his 80’s success. However, if he is trying to be the new Will Smith, Hart is out of his depth. On the flip side, he delivers the title role with great effect. He’s funny, squeaky and provides the audience with sentimentality for great balance.
This is a bro-mance film and when you have two actors such as Kevin Hart and Josh Gad, an MTV best duo nomination should be given to them even before their performance is seen. Their double act shine like sparkling mirrors. They deliver and carry the film together like Amos and Andy.
On the other hand, Josh Gad exerts effort with comedic timing and insecurity from his character. When he orders the ill-advised $50,000 service of the ‘Golden Tux’ from Hart, all hell breaks loose and the escapades of planning the wedding go into full swing but far from perfect. This includes, introducing the best man under the alias Bic Mitcham to the future in laws, although he may charm them, suspicion takes place than an impoliticly correct gag occurs when Grandma (Cloris Leachman) is accidentally set on fire. Trying to also find the groomsmen for Gad is hilarious as they simply “look like the cast from The Goonies that grew up and became rapists.” Once the gag with a hound dog licking and performing fellatio kicks in, the film delivers with that extra ‘bite.’
The Bride to Bee is played b Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting but the character of Gretchen is completely one dimensional. Although she is Gad’s love interest, it’s a wise decision not to get emotionally attached to her, for reasons that we can't explain, whereas Hart and Gad can be empathized with and you can enjoy riding along with their plight. When Gad sings badly in character, reminding us that this man is Olaf, for all his faults here, will always be an inconic Disney character.
The rules are simple explained by Hart. They are not friends, it is a business transaction to be friends until the gig is simply over. Nonetheless, will this be the case? Will Gad win Hart’s heart naturally? Will Hart have feelings for him and let the personal get in the way of the professional? Well, you can’t buy friends, you can only earn them. The Wedding Ringer will not be a classic twenty years from now. But it is light hearted entertainment that will entertain you and will be a film placing Hart and Gad in A-List comedy. Ferrell, Carrey, Stiller, meet your younger rivals!
The Wedding Ringer is out on DVD & Blu-ray now!