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For more movie summaries, see Kam's Kapsules.

Wedding Crashers: Shallow Bachelors Chase Bridesmaids in Ribald Romantic Comedy

Movie Review by Kam Williams

Unless you check your political correctness at the box office, expect to be offended by this outrageous comedy. Not only does Wedding Crashers revolve around a sexist premise, but the picture also relies primarily on a lowbrow brand of humor with stereotypes about females, gays, and assorted ethnic groups. Still, the film is funny enough to be recommended.

John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Klein (Vince Vaughn) are best friends. During the workweek, the pair of divorce mediators share a flourishing practice devoted to talking quarreling couples into settling their differences amicably. On weekends, however, the pair turn into shameless sexual exploiters who put their powers of persuasion to perversely seduce, abandon, and break the hearts of naive bridesmaids.

They arrive at weddings uninvited, knowing they can count on finding vulnerable young women there who are desperate for life-mates. These con artists hatch elaborate plans tailored to each occasion, assuming fake names and identities picked to fit the bride and groom's background. Their impersonations include pimps, cowboys, veterinarians, pro baseball players, and even soldiers with Purple Heart medals.

For instance, as Lou Epstein and Chuck Schwartz they don yarmulkes and lead a Jewish congregation in shouts of "Mazel Tov!" Or, as Seamus O'Toole and Bobby O'Shea, they arrive at an Irish wedding announcing to everyone, "We're going to get drunk!" They know precisely what to say to attract the prey they're stalking in each case.

We see John and Jeremy quickly proceed to pressure victim after victim into compromising positions, only to abandon them the next day. However, the confirmed bachelors reconsider their womanizing when they meet Claire (Rachel McAdams) and Gloria (Isla Fisher), daughters of the suspicious Secretary of the Treasury, William Cleary (Christopher Walken).

John goes after Claire and Jeremy pursues Gloria.

At this point, the movie changes from a buddy adventure into a dysfunctional family comedy. Against their better judgment, our heroes accept an invitation to join the eccentric Cleary clan for a post-reception getaway at their posh waterfront estate.

Brother Todd (Keir O'Donnell), is a gay sadist with eyes for Jeremy. Mrs. Cleary (Jane Seymour), is a solicitous alcoholic who puts the moves on John – Mrs. Robinson-style. As comic relief there is the grandmother (Ellen Albertini Dow), a butler (Ron Canada), and a minister (Henry Gibson) who is oblivious to all the inane antics.

Directed by David Dobkin (Shanghai Knights), Wedding Crashers never really pretends to be about anything deeper than the next joke. Although the protagonists ultimately reform, it seems unfair that they are rewarded for their past wrongs by getting to settle down with a couple of very rich, well-connected debutantes.

Wedding Crashers will disappoint fans expecting more from Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, especially when they are working with the support of Will Ferrell, Christopher Walken, and Jane Seymour.

Good for a few belly laughs, but no match for the best of the genre.

Very Good (2 and 1/2 stars). Rating: R for nudity, graphic sexuality, profanity, coarse humor, and suggestive content. Running time: 119 minutes. Studio: New Line Cinema..