Saturday, October 27, 2007

License to Wed DVD

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Rancid Robin Williams Romantic Comedy Released on DVD

Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore) always had her heart set on getting married in St. Augustine’s like her parents (Peter Strauus and Roxanne Hart). So, when her boyfriend, Ben (John Krasinski), proposes to her at their 30th anniversary party, she not only says “Yes” on the spot but immediately asks the church’s pastor, Father Frank (Robin Williams), who is present, to perform the ceremony.
He agrees, but informs the lovey-dovey couple that the only open date available is just three weeks away and that they must satisfactorily complete a marriage preparation course as proof that they’re really ready to marry. His unorthodox test involves everything from caring for a couple of robot babies to role-playing exercises in which they have to pretend to be each other.
Nights, the meddling minister, accompanied by a chubby child assistant (Josh Flitter), monitors the pair’s mating behavior, eavesdropping via a bug strategically hidden in their bedroom. If this sort of voyeurism strikes you as unbecoming of a man-of-the-cloth, especially with a pre-pubescent boy sitting at his side, you’re not alone, since the creepy scenario automatically conjures up images of pedophile priests.
Unfortunately, such groan-inducing skits are par for the course in License to Wed, the latest bomb from Robin Williams. Who knows whether the erstwhile comic has lost his talent entirely or merely lowered his standards to foist as many take-the-money-and-run ripoffs on the public till his fans catch on?
Regardless, Williams’ performance is so pathetic that the picture’s funniest scene features Wanda Sykes in a quickie cameo. Looks like Robin Williams has replaced Cuba Gooding, Jr. as the kiss of death on the set of any comedy.

Poor (0 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual humor.
Running time: 91 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Extras: Additional scenes with optional commentary by director Ken Kwapis, plus a featurette entitled “Ask Choir Boy.”

No comments: