 |
The Bachelor
1999 - PG-13 - Mins.
|
| Director: Gary Sinyor | | Producer: Bing Howenstein, Lloyd Segan | | Written By: Steve Cohen | | Starring: Chris O'Donnell, Renee Zellweger, James Cromwell, Brooke Shields, Artie Lange |
| Review by: John Ulmer |
| |
|
Chris O’Donnell stars with Renee Zellweger in the 1999 remake “The Bachelor,” a film about “the true meaning of love.”
Jimmie Shannon (O’Donnell) is your average 29-year-old bachelor: he doesn’t want to let the good times come to a stop. But after he is pushed by friends to propose to his girlfriend Anne (Zellweger), he does so, and accidentally says some regrettable things in the proposal line (“You win!”).
After a fuming Anne refuses to respond to any of Jimmie’s calls in the days to come, Jimmie comes to a realization that the relationship is over. And then it happens. His grandfather passes away, leaving 100 million dollars to Jimmie. What’s the catch, you ask?
He must find a wife in twenty-seven hours to get the money.
And so, the game is on, as Jimmie proposes to all his old girlfriends, including Ilana (Mariah Carey), Daphne (Jennifer Esposito), Buckley (Brooke Shields), but before all them, a re-proposal to an ever-softened Anne, who realizes before saying “Yes” that Jimmie is not ready to get married.
“The Bachelor” is a remake of “Personal,” “How a French Nobleman Got a Wife Through the 'New York Herald' Personal Columns,” “Meet Me at the Fountain,” and “Seven Chances,” all of which I have not seen. Therefore, I have nothing to base my review on. Also, therefore, I enjoyed this film. It may be a bit odd at times, especially the end, but overall it is just fun. It is a good escapism film where one can sit back, relax, and forget their worries.
Chris O’Donnell may not be a great actor, but he pulled off Jimmie Shannon enough to not raise any eyebrows.
I found Renee Zellweger to be quite good as Anne, providing a typical “woman moment,” when she, after Jimmie makes an awful proposal to her, grabs some food and hogs down.
James Cromwell is best as “The Priest,” who Jimmie carries around all day to perform a marriage on the spot. I love the deadpan expressions Cromwell carries throughout the whole film, until the end, where he finally speaks to Jimmie about love.
“The Bachelor” may not have the greatest character development, and the end was a bit more than odd (too much so to call it “original”); but I still enjoyed the film. At its heart lies a refreshingly fun comedy with a disclaimer: “Please detach brains before viewing.”)
Dumb fun. Nothing less, nothing more.
|
|
|
