Don't take this date home

In this unlikely love story, both Debra Messing (TV's "Will and Grace") and Dermot Mulroney ("My Best Friend's Wedding," "About Schmidt") give a fairly flat performance, but not for lack of trying. In fact, the movie in itself tries too hard ... without producing results. \nWith no real character definition the director tries to speedily introduce Kat (Messing) as a neurotic, heart-broken, career-driven woman -- all in a couple of minutes. She is preparing to travel to her sister's wedding, where the best man is her ex. With no beau she decides to hire the perfect man, Nick (Mulroney).\nFrom there the director begins to portray a calculated relationship that, while hopeful, is quite unbelievable. And calculated it is. All of this hampers viewers from experiencing the movie as a story but rather an attempt at a blockbuster. \nPerhaps one problem is that director Clare Kilner hasn't had much experience. Her last and only true feature film was "How To Deal," a Mandy Moore vehicle. While that movie was aimed at teens, it did have some adult appeal. "The Wedding Date" seems to be the opposite of her last attempt. It is supposed to appeal to adults but seems more likely to be appreciated by a younger crowd.\nWith story gaps and omissions along the way the character of Nick (Mulroney) is never really explored. He mentions that he graduated from Brown with a degree in comparative literature. That's literally the only thing we as viewers know about him. The explanation of his journey from Brown graduate to hooker is never described, nor is any other aspect of his character. And for a romantic comedy the movie could've been funnier. The wacky parents of Kat and the bride-to-be were underutilized. The mother, Bunny, is portrayed by the hilarious Holland Taylor from TV's "Two and a Half Men." \nThe movie wasn't the best but I guess it's possible that I (and other viewers) are a bit harsh because on the screen is Grace and a copy of the male lead from "My Best Friend's Wedding." Both actors seem to be playing roles that they've already successfully done.\nAs for the DVD there are the usual extras. Included is a feature commentary with Debra Messing, a bit with her talking about working on the movie and a selection of deleted scenes ... though nothing to write home about.\n"The Wedding Date" is actually a fun and funny movie, just don't expect too much.