Movie Review: Made of Honor

By: Clover Lee

Gender reversal has never failed to entertain. No, I’m not talking about men
in fishnets and 4 inch heels flitting around the Mission District in San
Francisco, I’m talking about straight men and women in each other’s every
day roles. The plot in the most recent movie by director Paul Weiland,
“Made of Honor,” introduces the comedic possibility of a successful,
straight man, Grays Anatomy’s McDreamy, being handed the responsibility
of the maid of honor in the wedding of his best friend Hannah, played by
Michelle Monaghan.

The movie, being deemed a romantic-comedy, already lost some points with
me due to expected corniness, but the “corn” factor was minimized due to
several factors, the main being the entertaining dialog between Tom
(Dempsey) and his macho guy friends and their molasses-like ability to
comprehend the importance of a solid relationship with a woman, and of
course the stereotypically male lack of ability to commit. Yes girls, very sad
but true, even at age 30.

Before I get into the plot, tet me explain how torn I am by Hollywood
women. They are the biggest paradoxes, so beautiful, yet, so unrealistic,
especially women portrayed in past romantic comedies. The women have
always been striking while the men, stereotypically masculine and
beautiful. This is why I usually don’t watch them, the women are so
unrelatable and the situation depressing because my life seems so bleak in
comparison. If a women as beautiful as Cameron Diaz has issues with men,
it makes me sad for my romantic future. I don’t know what world you all
live in, but in mine, girls do not roll out of bed looking like Scarlett
Johansson at the Oscars. Points to Paul Weiland for choosing an actress who
looks like a real person!

Tom (Dempsey) the notorious playboy meets his best friend, Hannah
during his college years, mistakenly getting into bed with her instead of her
roommate when she is asleep. Hannah’s rare honesty was what reeled him
in, and their mutual understanding of each other throughout the years after
college solidified their friendship and respect for each other. Both Tom and
Hannah become professionals in New York City and years after college seek
each other’s companionship.

The plot starts to take off when Hannah leaves home, New York City, to
Scotland for work for 6 weeks, Tom realizes her importance to him.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” is the message here, a little corny,
yes. During her absence, he decides that he wants to be with her. A bit
unfeasible, yes, however in movies, characters always run against the clock.
Tom goes to greet Hannah home after her long absence with a boquet of
flowers and low and behold, Hannah comes back….ENGAGED! Wait, it does
not stop there, she asks Tom to be her maid of honor.

The rest of the story unwinds with an “Eye of the Tiger"-like motivational
beat when Tom’s friends convince him that he can only stop the wedding if
he is on the inside. Tom makes the decision to be the best bridesmaid he
possibly be to show his ability to be serious and to convince her to take him
to be her own. The outcome may be predicable, but all in all, very
entertaining, say on a Friday night with your best girlfriends and/or your
mom and sisters.