The Wedding Ringer: Movie Review

After sitting though nearly 5 hours of tedious crime-dramas and cyber-thrillers that nearly put me to sleep, I was ready for a comedy. It didn’t have to be a great comedy, but it had to be light and hopefully at least mildly amusing. I was in serious need of a pick-me-up. Thankfully, “The Wedding Ringer” delivered just what I needed. It is by no means a great film, but there are enough laughs throughout to make it worthwhile.

Doug Harris (Josh Gad) is less than two weeks away from marrying Gretchen (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting). With a big wedding just around the corner, Doug can’t seem to find anyone to be his best man. He has no actual friends. Enter Jimmy Callahan (Kevin Hart) a professional wedding ringer. Jimmy is a best-man for hire. However, what Doug needs is what is referred to as a “Golden Tux”. Not only does he need a best man, but he needs seven groomsmen as well. Jimmy reluctantly takes the job, having never done a “Golden Tux”. Josh also informs Jimmy that Gretchen thinks his friend is Bic Mitchum and that he is a priest who was in the military.

Kevin Hart can get on my nerves when he goes full throttle, like in last year’s “Think Like A Man Too”, and “Ride Along”, but if he dials it back just a little bit, he can be quite funny. Playing off Josh Gad also helps who is also very funny. I have to say, some of the biggest laughs came from Alan Ritchson who’s character Kip (one of the hired groomsmen) had a stuttering/tic hybrid that just made me lose it.

Those looking for a few good laughs should enjoy “The Wedding Ringer”. It doesn’t break any new ground, but sometimes when something is funny, you tend to forgive the flaws.

By: Marc Ferman