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The rom-com genre's latest beautiful, well-adjusted lonely girl, Jane (Katherine Heigl) has been a bridesmaid 27 times but, alas, never a bride. Her secret crush on her boss George (Edward Burns) goes nowhere when he falls for Jane's loopy sister Tess (Malin Akerman). Fortunately, Jane has already met Kevin (James Marsden), a wedding-announcement writer who might just be the one if they'd stop bickering all the time.

Big question: Does "27 Dresses," written by the screenwriter of "The Devil Wears Prada," deliver enough standard girly stuff to satisfy "Prada" fans—and some authentic love and intelligent laughs to please everyone else?

Skip it: An oldies-but-not-goodies playlist of familiar scenes and issues, the movie trots out stuff like a trying-on-dresses montage and full-bar sing-along as if contractually obligated by the Gods of Fluff. If you swallow this type of thing no matter what, proceed without caution. For mildly discerning viewers "27 Dresses" is like re-swallowing something you already coughed up.

Catch it: If you prefer "chick flicks" to avoid any fresh perspectives, you'll be glad to see the movie sheepishly back out on Kevin's initial challenges to the institution of the big flashy wedding. How nice would it be if a mainstream romance ditched the princess fantasies to prove that love can bloom without all the store-bought trimmings?

Bottom line: It's impossible not to like Marsden and Heigl (who actually did just get married to musician Josh Kelley), who aren't to blame for the unfunny, low-aiming blandness of "27 Dresses." It doesn't have to be believable—these things never are—but it could amp up the steamy stuff; cut out Tess offensively training George's "Little Brother" Pedro to clean houses; and re-cast George with anyone other than Burns, who makes vanilla look like a taste explosion.

Bonus: Think twice before stealing wedding ideas from Jane's friends, several of whom have had "Gone With the Wind"-themed nuptials. That idea's about one step above "Titanic" and two above "Romeo and Juliet."

mpais@tribune.com

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