Watch You May Not Kiss the Bride
- PG-13
- 2012
- 1 hr 38 min
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5.4 (7,692)
You May Not Kiss the Bride is a romantic comedy film released in 2011 directed by Rob Hedden with a stellar cast that includes Dave Annable, Katharine McPhee, Rob Schneider, Mena Suvari, and Tia Carrere. The movie revolves around a pet photographer named Bryan Lighthouse, who gets trapped into an unusual situation when his cat escapes from him during a photoshoot and breaks into the property of a Croatian mobster. Bryan gets implicated in a crime and is blackmailed into marrying the mobster's daughter, Masha, for the sake of her green card.
The plot starts with Bryan (Dave Annable), a kind-hearted but struggling pet photographer fulfilling his professional duties of clicking photos of dogs and cats. He receives a new assignment at a luxury estate owned by a wealthy and eccentric socialite, Elissa (Katharine McPhee), who happens to own a very finicky cat. Before Bryan manages to complete his photoshoot, the cat escapes, gets into an accident, and ends up in the house of a Croatian gangster, Vlatko (Ken Davitian), who lives nearby. Furious with the cat's behavior, Vlatko gives Bryan an ultimatum - either he marries his daughter Masha (Katharine McPhee), who needs a green card, or Bryan risks ending his career and getting stuck in prison. Staggered by this ludicrous demand, Bryan agrees to the deal and travels to Croatia to marry Masha in a ceremony filled with strange customs and quirky characters.
In Croatia, Bryan finds himself surrounded by Vlatko's strange and ruthless associates, including an incompetent American gangster named Ernesto (Rob Schneider), a hitman with a comical personality named Brick (Vinnie Jones), and a bar owner with a secret agenda named Ivana (Tia Carrere). However, Masha turns out to be warm and gentle, and Bryan slowly develops an affinity for her. He also discovers that Masha has a talented singing voice and a passion for music, which she is unable to pursue due to her family's traditional views. As they embark on a surreptitious relationship, they face several challenges that threaten to tear them apart, such as Vlatko finding out the truth and the reappearance of Elissa, who has been following Bryan all the way from Hawaii.
The film takes a lighthearted approach to its story, and the humor is mainly situational and character-based. The movie relies heavily on the charm and chemistry of its lead actors, and they do not disappoint. Dave Annable delivers an endearing and relatable performance as Bryan, who gets caught in the crossfires of a bizarre situation but manages to navigate it with good-natured humor and an unwavering sense of morality. Katharine McPhee shines as Masha, portraying her as a woman caught between the expectations of her family and her own aspirations, while slowly opening up to the possibilities that Bryan brings.
Rob Schneider's performance as Ernesto is noteworthy, as he brings his signature brand of slapstick comedy to the role, playing the bumbling and inept American gangster, who is the laughing stock of his Croatian counterparts. The movie's other supporting characters also add to the humor and intrigue of the story, with Tia Carrere's character being a standout due to her unpredictable nature and enigmatic motivations.
Overall, You May Not Kiss the Bride is an enjoyable and breezy romantic comedy that offers a whimsical take on the idea of an arranged marriage. While it may not break any new ground in the genre, its solid performances, affable characters, and picturesque setting make it a fun and charming watch. The beauty of the Croatian landscape adds a romantic touch to the film and adds to the appeal for many viewers. The movie offers light-hearted entertainment that will keep you engaged from start to finish, and should be a joy for fans of romantic comedies.
You May Not Kiss the Bride is a 2012 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.