Sister of the Bride

This is a very different approach when it comes to writing, acting and overall plot from the known Hallmark movie recipes.

Two sisters are getting married, on the same day but sequential years (4th of July). The plot revolves around this scenario and the fact that their parents have personal business that may interfere.

The overall taste of this movie is a departure from the more traditional Hallmark scenario. You still have "family, marriage and tradition" at the core of the story line, but the acting is very different.

A quiet but charming story. I saw two of the problem solutions coming but not the main one.

The relationship of the two main characters was a good one and occupied much of the screen time, which for me is important in this type movie. These two valued communication and respected one another completely. Becca Tobin presents her character as a very likable, intelligent and competent woman.

Dad was a pain and fortunately stopped just short of me hating him completely. I was initially put off by how long he thought was required before an engagement but I think that was intentionally exaggerated.

I liked that the story wasn't the typical, especially when they set up a few chances to do the expected but walked away from them. what kept me from giving it 7 stars was that the premise is hard to believe (who dreams of a wedding in palm springs on july 4th; the temperature's going to be over 110), the movie was obviously filmed in the non-summer, and for some reason in a few scenes the mom couldn't talk well - it was distracting. but I appreciate the efforts.

That is the best thing I can say about this movie. The acting in this movies was pretty bad, the writing was even worse. It was very boring. Took me 5 evening to watch this. I have a lot of tolerance for the short comings of Hallmark movies but this one is the worst one I've seen.

This review is not coming from someone who regularly hates on Hallmark films and hates all of them. Have actually been surprised by many, and a lot of my ratings have indicated average and above. The premise to 'Sister of the Bride' though was not that appealing, but saw it anyway for Hallmark completest sake and also because of liking Becca Tobin and especially Michael Gross in other films and finding them redeeming qualities in those.

Neither sadly are redeeming qualities here, quite the opposite. 'Sister of the Bride' may not be among the worst that Hallmark ever did, but of their very inconsistent to not particularly output that year it is very close to being down there in my view. Despite being very formulaic sounding, the premise did actually have some potential. All that potential sadly is wasted in the film not executing most of its components well at all.

Only the beautiful scenery and some nice photography comes off well in 'Sister of the Bride'.

Everything else is a waste of time. Tobin tries too hard as a character who tries too eagerly to be as flawless as possible and it never looks natural, while Ryan Rottman is very stiff and uncharismatic. The chemistry between them just isn't there either, too much of a disconnect. Don't expect Gross to be a redeeming quality, he has been in a lot of bad films and can be a redeeming quality but he is wasted by a character that is so obnoxious and he tries so hard to make the character work but it comes over as over-compensating. Beth Broderick comes off least badly of the cast and even she lacks subtlety.

All the characters are difficult to connect with, none of them are developed that well and the film either tries to make the characters too perfect or exaggerates their flaws (both extremes are obvious here). The dialogue is very awkward sounding and cheesy throughout, the music is forgettable at best and can be overbearing, the direction is going through the motions like and the story is formulaic and drags on and on.

Pretty poor film and very little works other than the production values. 2/10.