Love, Wedding, Marriage

Love, Wedding, Marriage is a 2011 romantic comedy that stars Mandy Moore, Kellan Lutz, and James Brolin. As the movie title suggests, the film revolves around the themes of love, wedding, and marriage - with all their intricacies and complexities.

The captivating Mandy Moore, lauded for her poignant performances in romantic dramas like "A Walk to Remember" or her voice in "Tangled," plays the lead role of Eva, a quite successful marriage counselor. Moore, through her exquisite charms and talents, renders an authentic portrayal of a woman who believes religiously in the sanctity of marriage and its longevity.

Kellan Lutz, widely adored for his role in The Twilight Saga, plays Charlie, Eva's adorable and hopelessly romantic husband. Charlie's character is the quintessential sweet and supportive partner who devotes an ample amount of his time to maintaining their marital bliss. Lutz masterly embodies the warmth and lightheartedness of his character, lending a delightful blend of comedy and affection to the film.

James Brolin, an industry veteran known for his roles in films like "Traffic" and "Catch Me If You Can," plays Eva's dad. His character is on the brink of a divorce that sends shockwaves through Eva's world view around strong marriages. Interestingly, her own marriage to Charlie begins to spiral, putting her professional and personal life in jeopardy. Brolin's portrayal of his character balances depth and humor magnificently.

The story begins with Eva being overjoyed at her newly wedded life with Charlie. Her work as a marriage counselor, combined with the bliss of recent weddings, makes her believe that she has completely figured out the puzzle of a happy marriage. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when her parents, played by Brolin and industry marvel Jane Seymour, announce their plans to divorce on their 30th wedding anniversary. This news leaves Eva, who idealized her parents' marriage, profoundly shaken.

In her pursuit to prevent her parents’ breakup, Eva goes to lengths, even resorting to trickery. High-strung from this ordeal, Eva begins to develop a peculiar preoccupation with making her own marriage perfect. This, unfortunately, instead of promising the desired perfection, begins to strain Eva's relationship with her husband Charlie.

The film beautifully demonstrates the repercussions of Eva's obsession with perfection on her personal life, the charming dynamics of her relationship with Charlie, and her struggle with accepting the reality of her parents' relationship.

Love, Wedding, Marriage is a clever film that examines love, relationships and marriage through the lens of a marriage counselor – women who professionally advise others about their relationships but begin to struggle in her love life. The movie underscores the fact that no relationship is perfect and that happiness often lies in accepting and working through imperfections. It brings out the stark contrast between what we perceive and want love and relationships to be, with what they often are - messy, imperfect yet beautiful in their way.

The narrative of the story is further laced with great humor, which serves to lighten the undertones of drama and keeps viewers entertained. The direction by Dermot Mulroney is commendable as he beautifully captures the comedy, tension, and romance, which are integral to the narrative. The screenplay by Anouska Chydzik and Caprice Crane stands out for its witty dialogues and sharp character portrayal.

In terms of performances, the ensemble sleep cast, including Jessica Szohr, Michael Weston, and Marta Zmuda Trzebiatowska, leave a strong impression. The chemistry of the cast on-screen, especially between Moore and Lutz, is enthralling as they effortlessly embody the charm and intricacies characteristic of newly wed couples.

For those who enjoy lighthearted, poignant romantic comedies that also explore deeper themes, the 2011 Love, Wedding, Marriage is definitely worth a watch. This film beautifully juggles between serious thematic elements and comedy, love, marital struggles, all while maintaining a charming vibrancy that will keep you entertained and engaged from beginning to end. It not only makes you laugh but also compels you to delve deeper into the nitty-gritty of relationships and reassesses one’s beliefs about love and marriage.