Because I Said So

There's a soon-to-be-groom in every seeking-marriage romantic comedy -- and just once I wish he, instead of the gal, got to be the pining neurotic, the fluttery adorable clumsy fool who makes poor wardrobe choices, the one who sings '60s girl-group songs and makes 90 minutes of bad decisions before ... sigh ... finding out that Miss Right was there all along. Because not only am I sick of watching otherwise enjoyable actresses play this role, the whole freakin' conceit is antiquated and borderline offensive. If it must be a generic hallmark, at least spread the pain around! In Michael Lehman's overly perky promenade to the altar, there's two of these poor deluded women: Milly (Mandy Moore) and her interfering mother, Daphne (Diane Keaton). Nothing about this silly outing, with its coy little sex jokes among grown women, editorializing dogs and huge frosted cakes always on the move, rings true. (AH)