The Wedding March

This one was actually not bad at all. The chemistry between Jack Wagner and Josie Bissett was good. They were both age appropriate despite numerous comments about Jack Wagner being 11 years older than Ms Bissett. They looked fine together. At least, at 45, she was playing a woman with a college age daughter instead of a toddler. Same for him. I liked that they did not try to follow the usual Hallmark formula and manufacture a secondary romance between their 2 kids. Instead, casting two talented young actresses who became instant buddies. Jack's daughter looked like a tall and thin Scarlett Johanssen. The one wrong note was Josie's god-awful wig. Why? Surely, if she needed a wig, Hallmark could have afforded one that looked natural. This one was so ugly, I am surprised Miss Bissett herself didn't speak up. I have seen more flattering wigs in a Halloween Costume shop. It was all very strange, especially since her make-up looked quite pretty instead of being laid on with a trowel like many of the Hallmark makeup artists do.

What was OK? The relationship between the two daughters, the chef was charming, and the location/settings were gorgeous. Otherwise, the movie was decent and enjoyable without the special factor. It wasn't that memorable to me. What makes a movie memorable? Touching scenes! Maybe even more developed relationships between the siblings and the parents and how they work together to form their bonds. It was nice to see a daughter helping a mother plan her wedding and wanting it to be special for her, as opposed to the suggested and plain 'justice of the peace' marriage, which was included in the story. It was also nice to see the relationship dynamic of the father-daughter and how they bonded after the mother was out of the picture. The relationships were good, but they could have been deeper. Hallmark is mostly about love stories and happy endings, so let's bring more love to the stories.

I did the same thing an earlier reviewer did... I checked the reviews here to see if anyone else was annoyed by that dreadful wig perched on Josie Bissett's head. In previous Hallmark movies, I have frequently been irritated by the ridiculous false eyelashes plastered on the leading actresses, only to discover this new distraction in a Hallmark offering. Why, oh why, can't Hallmark allow its actresses to look more natural?!?!

But, getting back to this wig. I decided I couldn't hack watching the movie because of that stupid hairpiece. However, I noticed there were a number of sequels so I checked the reviews of the second movie and discovered that Hallmark had allowed Bissett to ditch the wig. Hallelujah! So I am giving the original movie a second chance.

Jack Wagner and Josie Bissett are a good couple in this movie. Their backstory is mostly believable (disregard the real age difference to play along), and they seem real enough in their interactions. I do not believe for one second, however, that a former male pop star loves owning a B&B in the country. And the capable, successful business woman does not even bend down to try to put a bicycle chain back in place--what's up with that? All that bicycling was rather hokey anyway. The typical schmuck fiancé is just a place-holder. His character does not really contribute anything to the film. The audience is not the least bit worried that he will interfere with the love story. The mini-plot of the guy selling his house at the beginning and end is kind of a waste of space, but that apparently is the formula Hallmark likes to use. My main complaint: As another reviewer stated, I just couldn't look away from that horrible, horrible wig. It was so very distracting. Josie Bissett most likely does not even need one; I just do not understand why they stuck that messy ponytail on her head! Sigh.

Goodness, I can't imagine anyone not liking this movie. It's family friendly, it's sweet, it's emotional. Just sit back on your couch with your popcorn and enjoy. Highly recommend it, James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 2/2/2021