THE WEDDING RINGER – The Review

Hey film fans, are you ready for the first odd coupling “bro-mance” of 2015? Well, you’d better be, cause it’s here at the multiplex now. It owes little to that Neil Simon classic creation other than an unlikely pairing. Perhaps it’s closer the 48 HRS films or the RUSH HOUR series, although race and ethnicity doesn’t factor in quite as mush as those earlier action comedies. And what instigates this team-up? Why it’s that epic fodder for catastrophe, a big wedding ceremony, where slapstick, conflict, and deception collide. Throw in a shady transaction and you’ve got a new big matrimonial farce in THE WEDDING RING (get it, ring, and singer, eh?eh?). No need to mail in a RSVP, just get your tickets at the box office.

As the film opens, we meet frazzled fiance Doug Harris (Josh Gad) as he calls up every fella’ he’s ever met in a desperate search for a Best Man at his days-away wedding. He’s in such a panic that he passes out in front of his betrothed Gretchen (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting) at the planner’s office. Luckily said planner has an ace up his sleeve, a man he can hire for the ceremony. We then meet him on the job, as Jimmy Callahan (Kevin Hart) delivers the perfect toast at a wedding dinner. Back in the kitchen, the groom gives Jimmy his fee. But he believes the speech and asks about them “hangin’ out sometime”. No, no Jimmy points out, he’s not his pal, just a service provider. Once the honeymoon begins, his job is done. Soon Doug shows up at Jimmy’s office beneath an amusement center (mini-golf, batting cages, etc.). Jimmy outlines the plans and prices, but Doug needs more. He’s got no groomsmen. This calls for a new package, dubbed “the Golden Tux”. In less than two weeks Jimmy assembles a ragtag group that must mesh and become Doug’s best buds. Meanwhile Jimmy must meet the bride’s fam as soldier/priest (?!) Bic Mitchum (a persona that Doug came up with while being mercilessly quizzed). Can these guys pull it together in time for the fast-approaching big day?

RINGER marks another step in stand-up comic Kevin Hart’s plan for world domination, or at least media domination (look out Howard Stern!). After several supporting roles he burst through almost a year ago with RIDE ALONG after headlining countless TV shows, concert films, and amassing a huge social network following. But how’s he as a team player? Happily he’s slowed down his usual motor-mouth line delivery while retaining much of his wiry energy. However, he’s still somewhat of an acquired taste and so the un-initiated may be quickly worn out and wondering how most of the characters in the flick are quickly won over by him. But he never phones it in, Hart commits to every gag, no matter the quality. This trait is shared by his screen partner Gad, perhaps best known as the voice of the loveable Olaf of FROZEN. He’s able to wring laughs out of sweaty panic while remaining the endearing doofus who earns all of the audience’s goodwill. While most of his previous roles had him doing the wacky screw-up, here in several quiet scenes, he adds a touch of pathos while explaining his lack of close friends. Unfortunately the very talented Cuoco-Sweeting, so funny in 2011’s HOP and every week on TV’s highest rated sitcom, is quickly reduced to a shrewish cliché from reality cable TV, the “bride-zilla”. She still fares better than Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman who’s the butt of a cruel, painful gag. And don’t get me started on reducing the great Ken Howard, yup the ole’ “White Shadow”, as the bullying, buffoonish father-in-law. JUNO’s Olivia Thirlby exhudes a bit of intelligence as Gretchen’s very savvy sis (and romantic interest for Hart). While Jenifer Lewis brings much-needed warmth as Jimmy’s nurturing, no-nonsense manager. Most of the groomsman aren’t given the time to really make their mark other than TV vet Jorge Garcia as the henpecked Lurch, who gets the film’s wittiest line.

First time feature director Jeremy Garelik tries to give the flick a frenzied pace by quickly cutting in for close-ups constantly, which never exhilarates, but merely exhausts the viewer. Every bit of business is hammered home, with little room for characterization. Subtlety? No way! No time! Got to get to the next big “gut-buster”. Most of the big sight gags can be seen a mile away. As mentioned earlier, the stuff with Granny is most cruel, along with a demeaning sequence with a dog (were you napping, PETA?). Oh, and one of the groomsmen stutters! Hysterical! While most scenes are put through the blender, at other times it seems that the editor was out to lunch. The big “wedding crashers” dancing montage with Gad and Hart seems unending. And an early wedding day “touch” football game between the groomsmen and the father’s old cronies serves no real purpose other than to work in some sports icon cameos who get to wallow in the mud. By the flick’s big finale’ we’re left with a sour misogynistic aftertaste. The search-for-a-best-man idea was done better six years ago with I LOVE YOU, MAN. Just rent that and leave THE WEDDING RINGER at the altar.

1.5 Out of 5