I Loved This Movie
I think Josh Gad is humorous, but not hilarious. I love Kevin Hart's standup. I adore Kaley Cuoco. So, this movie seemed like it was going to be perfect time waster for me. It was that, in spades.
The premise is close to the Will Smith movie, Hitch. Guy is hired to make a schlub look good. Kevin Hart's fast talking persona works in this movie like it did in Ride Along. It won't work all the time, but the street hustler act is what was needed. Josh Gad did a fine job of playing the nice guy who is a goof on the outside but a sincerely nice guy on the inside. Gad is a very talented writer and comedian and I think he will get better at acting as his roles increase. I was shocked hearing such foul language coming out of such a beautiful mouth when Kaley said the word *beep* LOL. She is a really fine comedienne and with Big Bang in its final seasons, she has a nice career ahead of her making these kinds of rom-coms.
The supporting cast is pretty exceptional if a bit unknown. The fake groomsmen are all well written roles and each has his own quirks that make him more than just set dressing. Likewise, Ken Howard as Gretchen's dad is an inappropriate treasure. His off-color jokes and comments are some of the funniest lines in the movie. The football game between the geezers and the groomsmen is pretty damn funny and a highlight. The guy in the wheelchair playing center was just a brilliant bit of visual comedy. Cloris Leachman as grandma was kind of overdone, but the dinner scene did have me laughing. Nicky Whelan is the stuff of wet dreams and its too bad they didn't let her use her Australian accent. Olivia Thirlby as Gretchen's sister is a treat, too. She's got some starring roles in her future.
The predictable bromance that forms between Jimmy and Doug felt a bit forced and obligatory. Its the one part of the plot I felt was given short shrift. It just felt tacked on to the end because it had to be.
The Wedding Ringer is a fun movie. It won't reach cult status, but it doesn't insult your intelligence either. The jokes and gags are well done and not overly classless, not that I don't enjoy a good classless joke or gag.
My memory foam pillow says it can't remember my face. I can tell its lying.