'June Weddings' movie review: 'The Last Bridesmaid'
Despite being set during a wedding and focusing on bridesmaid holding out for true love, "The Last Bridesmaid" (airing June 22 as part of the Hallmark Channel's June Weddings) is at its core the story of a woman torn between obligation and her sincere career passion.
In short: Perma-bridesmaid Becca (Rachel Boston) is waiting for perfect guy, when she meets Kyle (Paul Campbell), the videographer covering every stage of her cousin's wedding.
Becca is reduced to just a single woman, superseding even her b-plot as aspiring jeweler or career maid-of-honor. She voices her faith that "when you know, you know" several times - but it always falls on deaf ears. The primary concern of everyone around Becca seems to be setting her up with someone's son or friend. It's fine to drop that sentiment once, but it just gets repetitive in "Bridesmaid."
Boston and Campbell are two of the best leads in the Hallmark Channel roster, and rock solid duo anchor this wedding flick. Boston radiates utter charm and poised confidence. Becca is a multi-tasking maven, able to juggle meetings for her day job and bridal duties for her cousin. The movie shows her rocking both roles, which is fundamentally important to her character's credibility as a wedding vet and an insurance expert. Campbell is obviously the playfully endearing love interest, but "Bridesmaid" smartly uses him as the spark for Becca's enthusiasm. And his earnest encouragement for Becca's true career passion only makes it all the easier to root for Kyle and Becca. This is no mere weekend courtship - their engaging relationship blossoms from Becca and Kyle truly boosting each other, pushing one another to follow what makes them happy and not just what pays the bills.
"Bridesmaid" hits the nail on the head a bit too perfectly on the head when it comes to the movie's themes. It just spells out too plainly Becca's conflicted feelings between her obligation to the family business and her love for crafting jewelry. More nuanced movies can do better than to just flatly state Becca's dilemma over and over. Becca's grandmother merely voices what the movie already establishes ad nauseam.
Final verdict: "Bridesmaid" is at its best as Becca and Kyle inspire and energize each other and Rachel Boston shines as a selfless friend and aspiring entrepreneur. The script could respect the audience a little more by not endlessly reminding everyone that Becca is single and available.
Score: 3-out-of-5 bridal bouquets
"The Last Bridesmaid" is rated TV-G and has a running time of 90 minutes. The movie premieres on The Hallmark Channel on June 22.
