Watch Do You Take This Man

Do You Take This Man is a heartfelt romantic drama that follows the journey of a gay couple, Daniel (played by Anthony Rapp) and Christopher (played by Jonathan Bennett) on the eve of their wedding day. The film explores the complexities of relationships, commitment, and family dynamics through the lens of family drama. Daniel, a schoolteacher based out of Los Angeles, and Christopher, an ex party boy turned real estate agent, are making arrangements for their wedding the next day. Daniel's family is flying in from Chicago, while Christopher's family already lives in LA. A small gathering is planned for the pre-wedding day, bringing the two families under one roof.

As the families convene on the night before the wedding, tensions surface. Christopher's openly liberal family is initially accepting of Daniel's reserved, conservative family as they gather around to enjoy drinks and food. But as the night wears on, old tensions emerge, adding stress to the wedding day as well.

The couple, meanwhile, grapples with their own issues of personal identity, commitment, and the future. Right from family politics to upcoming changes in their careers, there is a lot the two need to juggle while their wedding day inches close.

The movie tackles issues beyond just the capacity to love — it lends a human perspective on the complexity of the relationships we share with each other, especially when it comes to our family. The hesitation to accept a gay man marrying into a conservative family, the fear of being outcast from an openly liberal family, and the anxiety of not knowing oneself well enough to commit are all thoughts that the movie explores.

As the movie progresses, we witness the couple fighting over their ideals and differences. They have different opinions about several things, including the music played at their wedding, the type of wedding cake, and even the way in which they express their excitement on the day of their wedding. It is these subtle differences that make the movie far more relatable, and we can truly understand the struggles that a couple faces, regardless of sexual orientation.

The script is well-written, and the actors have done a splendid job with their portrayal of each character. Anthony Rapp delivers a sensitive, nuanced performance as the conflicted Daniel. Jonathan Bennett shines as Christopher, going through the motions of excitement, fear, and joy in equal measures. The supporting cast, too, have done their bit, bringing multifaceted layers of complexity to shake the foundation of the two families.

There's an excellent balance maintained in Do You Take This Man. The film doesn't lean too heavily towards any one character, and the viewer's empathy fluctuates throughout the movie as we see things from each character's perspective. The cinematography and music make the entire experience very intimate, and while the movie is set in LA, the story appears like it could take place in any city across the globe.

Perhaps the greatest triumph of the movie is encapsulated in the title – Do You Take This Man. The very phrase is familiar to everyone who's attended a wedding or watched one on TV, and here it is emphasized and expanded by making it one of the movie's key themes. The concept of 'taking' someone emphasizes that you are accepting someone into your life fully and wholeheartedly. It is a powerful message that holds true for any relationship, but is especially significant when it comes to relationships that are often judged or scrutinized by society.

Do You Take This Man is a beautiful movie that makes the viewer realize that love is immeasurable and everyone deserves to be deeply loved, regardless of differences in ideals, backgrounds, or orientations. It emphasizes that love is beyond these small differences and that what truly matters is two people's willingness to take that leap of faith in each other. It is an emotional and thought-provoking journey that urges the viewer to leave behind prejudices and celebrate love in all its forms.

Do You Take This Man is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.