Undercover Bridesmaid (2012)

Borrowing inspiration from one particularly well-known script, Hallmark Channel gets everything right in this cute comedy that wanders – even if only of the mildly amusing sort – into the “dangerous” world of private security. 

Following a bad wedding experience, Tanya (Brooke Burns) has a case of wedding phobia and it doesn’t bode well for the latest client her private security firm lands. Following threats to his daughter mere days before her society wedding, a wealthy businessman (Gregory Harrison) whose company is on the verge of merging is looking to hire security to protect his daughter. When Daisy (Nicole Paggi) refuses the idea, Tanya’s boss gives her the gig working undercover to appease their client and Tanya with an ultimatum: Take the job and make partner or lose it altogether. Never a quitter, she takes the job, immersing herself in bridal games and horrors of horrors, girl talk and pink lace.

Trading in their normal trademark, feel-good chick flick (though don’t be fooled, this still fits that genre) is this cute movie that actually does well at combining some action and mystery plus the usual romantics. In the case of the latter, there isn’t much of a script although what there is was awfully cute whereas I was more impressed by the kick-butt part of the movie – only because it’s so rare to find within this series. Sticking with a comfortable plot is usually easy without guaranteeing that the story will be a “good” one. While I cannot say that this is something all that unique (it isn’t), credit must be given for the attempt at producing something with a bit more “bite” to it even if it does end up being more sparkle than spark.   

The contrast of professional business woman and screaming, immature bridesmaids was a humorous piece of fun to play with. Tanya was the consummate professional, always determined to do only her job and nothing more. Seeing her attempt to interact because she was asked to blend in with a trio of wealthy, still immature women – who think that wearing the wrong color in the “off-season” was more horrible than what could be going on in the real world – is one of the most humorous satire of the entire film; it’s that distinction between Tanya and Daisy that engages in some fabulous and wholesome sections of comedy. Brooke’s expressions of exasperation were adorable and hilarious whereas the relationship that grows between she and Daisy was perfectly sweet, and is reminiscent of true friendship budding, no matter how opposite the girls were. Each of the characters were fun and easy to like save for my conservative side bristling at the groom’s wondering eye while claiming to “truly” love Daisy – in the end, it delighted me to see them together but seems a bit hypocritical to think that you ogle other women and maintain to have eyes for “only one.” (Insert an eye roll sense of sarcasm here.)  

Aside from some petty complaints, this was a fabulous way to spend an evening. Acting isn’t bad and Burns gets a chance to showcase some comic talent – especially when it comes to her interaction with a groomsman that takes the usual, clichéd paths. (Were there only one complaint about Jake, it’d be the result of the mystery surrounding him – seriously, I think writers could have written something cleverer.) Then there are the comparisons that can be drawn to movies like Miss Congeniality or Revenge of the Bridesmaids. In the former’s case, the setting is obviously drastically different as is the story though one cannot help but think perhaps some inspiration was drawn from its “classic” script. This version is like the “family-friendly” one. Then the latter and fun ABC Family movie is certainly in the same vein as this – if you liked it, then this is a fun piece of fluff – and there is something comforting in familiarity. That is what this film aces. Enough “sweetness” shines through keeping up the tradition and value we’ve come to expect from the network.  

(Parental Concerns: One woman comments that she’s “waiting” [she still has no scruples about making out with her boyfriend] and there’s one instance when covering a flub, Tanya pretends she’s “saving” Daisy from going “too far” before the wedding. One or two minor innuendoes may be present. The film rates TVPG.)

Categories: Brooke Burns, Comedy, Hallmark, Movie, TV

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