Who's Who?

Katherine Heigl James Marsden Judy Greer Edward Burns Malin Akerman David Castro Brian Kerwin Charli Barcena Peyton Roi List Jane Pfitsch Lyralen Kaye

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Jane Kevin Casey George Tess Pedro Hal Young Tess Young Jane Cousin Lisa Cousin Julie

The Inside Story "27 Dresses" caps a remarkable year for Katherine Heigl, whose ascension to superstardom began with her EMMY award-winning role in the top-rated series "Grey’s Anatomy" and continued with her knockout performance in "Knocked Up". When "27 Dresses" producer Jonathan Glickman ("Rush Hour" & "The Lookout") saw early footage of Judd Apatow’s comedy, he felt that Heigl "was really spectacular, you could see that she had a great energy." Glickman and fellow producers Gary Barber ("Seabiscuit" & "Memoirs of a Geisha") and Roger Birnbaum ("Bruce Almighty" & "Evan Almighty"), partners at Spyglass Entertainment, were thrilled when Heigl said "I do" to "27 Dresses". Heigl found much to explore with the character. "Like other people, Jane takes pride doing the things she’s really good at. She clearly loves being a bridesmaid; Jane is just taking it too far because she’s filling her life with other people’s desires, forfeiting her own memories or the memories she might make for herself. She’s sort of a secondary character in her own life," notes Heigl. "I really enjoyed the opportunity to play a character that is funny and charming, yet flawed: it’s everything I want in a comedic character. I love this kind of comedy and enjoyed seeing how far I could push the humor. I’ve been waiting my entire career to have this kind of role." Aline Brosh McKenna, who wrote the original screenplay for "27 Dresses" and the adaptation for the critical and commercial success "The Devil Wears Prada", describes Jane's saga as "a delayed coming of age story about a woman who finds out what things she needs to change about herself in order to go from being a bridesmaid to being a bride." McKenna revealed her screenplay was inspired by a friend’s myriad stints as a bridesmaid. "She has been in about a dozen weddings, which I thought was fascinating. I thought, what would make somebody the sort of person who would be invited to be in that many weddings? Obviously she has a lot of connections and friendships, but there was something that was disconnecting her from having a relationship that belonged totally to her." McKenna’s facility in creating sparkling dialogue and comedic yet heartfelt characters and situations, was critical in attracting Heigl and the behind the camera team, including director Anne Fletcher to the project. "Aline has a great way with fun, quick dialogue that really develops these characters as real people," says Fletcher (choreographer on "The 40 Year Old Virgin" & "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"). "I loved her script and completely identified with Jane because I, too, am a full-blown co-dependent! My nickname is Mama because I like to take care of everything and everyone. But when you always want to 'do' for everybody, you forget about yourself. That’s what has happened to Jane and, I think, to a lot of women." Once production began, Fletcher and McKenna quickly became fans of the film’s star. "Katie has such a great understanding of physical comedy, character development, and of what is naturally funny. She is brilliant at playing both the physical comedy and sensitivity of this character," says Fletcher. "It’s amazing that someone who is that beautiful and that poised can convey the humor and the loneliness of being a perpetual bridesmaid. Katie is amazingly funny, her timing is impeccable, and she understands and has a lot of empathy for Jane," McKenna adds. While Heigl’s Jane is the story’s heart and soul, the other leading roles are critical to defining her journey. The role of Jane’s beloved but duplicitous younger sister Tess went to the star of "The Heartbreak Kid", Malin Akerman. "Tess is Jane’s Achilles' heel," notes Heigl. "She can’t say no to Tess and she can’t let Tess make her own mistakes. Jane is always cleaning up after her and fixing everything, which Tess has come to expect and take advantage of without considering the consequences. They love each other immensely and there’s a real bond there, but it’s gone a little awry as they’ve gotten older." "Tess is definitely the typical younger sister who’s had the road paved for her by her older sister," says Akerman. "She knows how to manipulate situations and her sister. It’s a fun character to play because Tess gets stuck in the ‘Bridezilla’ zone and goes a little bit nuts. But deep down she’s a real woman who knows what's going on." The filmmakers wanted each sister to have a distinctive look. "Jane is attractive but not too flashy," notes costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas. "Tess had to pop. The first time she encounters George, the moment where Jane’s heart is broken, we wanted Tess to be radiant and glowing; with a look that would stop traffic. Amid characters wearing dark clothing, Tess is in yellow, a gorgeous woman in this short dress with no back; she just beams. Poor Jane, her boss is just drooling." The two actresses hit it off immediately, but Heigl wondered whether the audience would buy them as sisters. "My first thought was that Malin and I look nothing alike," says Heigl, "but we picked up some of the same mannerisms and started talking the same way. When we went to dinner in Providence, four or five people asked if we were sisters!" The men in Jane’s life are a cynical newspaper reporter, Kevin, and a self-made entrepreneur, George. James Marsden plays Kevin, an ambitious reporter at the fictional "New York Journal", where he begrudgingly pens a Sunday 'Weddings' column that, despite his cynicism about the ritual, is beautifully and sensitively written. Fletcher cast Marsden after working with him in "Hairspray". Fletcher was an associate choreographer and second unit director on "Hairspray" while Marsden played the Baltimore television dance show host Corny Collins. Fletcher describes the volatile Jane-Kevin relationship as a classic "rom-com" situation of opposites repelling then attracting one another. Marsden, best known for his role as Cyclops in the "X-Men" film trilogy, and who recently starred in "Enchanted" was eager to tackle a romantic, leading man, part. "I usually play the guy who gets the short end of the stick in, so it is nice when I read "27 Dresses" and realized, they were considering me for the guy who may actually get the girl!" Ed Burns's progressive-thinking, über-male George is in some ways the polar opposite of Marsden’s cynical newspaperman. "George is some kind of movie version of the ultimate urban male," says the star, writer and director of "Sidewalks of New York". "He is very P.C., does a lot of good environmental work, is a self-made man, a Big Brother to a young boy, and he has a great dog. Of course we all know that guys like George don’t really exist." Judy Greer was cast as Jane’s best friend and colleague Casey who also works at George’s company, Urban Everes. "Casey is kind of brassy and loud and doesn’t have much of a censor inside of her; she just says whatever comes to mind," says Greer. "She’s fun, tries to bring out the wild side in Jane, and is super-loyal, valuing their friendship over all else." The other 'stars' in the film are the titular, often outrageous wedding garb designed by Catherine Marie Thomas ("Kill Bill Vol1 & 2"). Thomas credits Fletcher with encouraging her to push the fashion envelope. "Anne was very eager to explore the crazier side of bridesmaid dresses," Thomas explained. "If you use 27 normal dresses, it doesn’t look interesting. We wanted to convey the kind of pain that accompanies the wearing of such 'unusual' styles." Fletcher’s says her background in dance influenced the designs. "I wanted to turn the dresses into costumes with matching outfits that make everyone look as if they’re going to break into a dance number." Thomas likens the dress selection process to that of solving a puzzle. "Initially we had fifty outfits, so we’d lose one dress and push another into something that was a little funnier, maybe adding lace or a hat," she elaborated. "After we arranged them to the point where we were happy with assortment, we realized to our chagrin that we were three dresses over, and had to eliminate more." Though set primarily in New York City, much of "27 Dresses" was shot in Rhode Island. "Providence, Rhode Island offered a great alternative because it offers locations that double very well for Manhattan," says Glickman. "Also, much of "27 Dresses" is set outside of the City; on a beach and in rural upstate New York, and Rhode Island was a perfect fit for those locales." There was one sad point in the making of the film. Independent Spirit Award Bobby Newmyer ("Training Day" & "Breach") who was to executive produce this film passed away while working out at a Toronto gym. An asthma attack triggered his fatal heart attack at age fourty nine. "We tried to keep the story focused more on Jane’s emotional journey and character as opposed to the mechanical nature of how two people are going to find each other," says McKenna. Glickman ("Shanghai Noon" & "Shanghai Knights") describes the film as "a naturalistic movie with the very big idea about a woman who’s been a bridesmaid twenty seven times. It allows us to send up craziness that can occur at weddings, but at the same time we have a character driven romantic comedy with some big surprises." What The Critics Say

"Going against the grain of all those stereotypical sex object or saintly roles that actresses usually get stuck with in movies, Katherine Heigl is definitely into trying out what's new and different, and we're not just talking dresses. Moving on from her cranky nag in Knocked Up (one of two first-date Fertile Myrtles on the screen last year, along with Ellen Page in Juno), Heigl conversely gets immersed in the role of your typical self-effacing female doormat for Anne Fletcher's 27 Dresses." Prairie Miller NEWSBLAZE "27 Dresses is filled with laughter, tears, and heart. At some points throughout the duration of the film, it was hard to hear the dialogue because the ENTIRE theater was filled with bursts of the sounds of laughter." SILVERCITY FILMBUFF "An engaging actress with a flair for physical comedy and self-effacing humor, Heigl is immensely appealing as Jane Nichols, an ever-helpful people-pleaser whose biopic could be titled "The Runaround Bridesmaid". Whether she’s neatly balancing hilarity and heartbreak while stifling her unrequited love for George, or doing the bickering Beatrice and Benedict bit with a well-cast Marsden, Heigl effortlessly radiates the kind of charisma that can make auds fall in love with a character (and, of course, the actress who plays her). Frothy, funny and formulaic, "27 Dresses" is a pleasantly predictable romantic comedy that sees Katherine Heigl following "Knocked Up" with smooth moves at the wheel of her first starring vehicle." Joe Leydon VARIETY

"I may be a bit biased as I am a huge Heigl fan, however even I was surprised at how well she held up the film. The casting was great and Heigl and Marsden have amazing chemistry. What made it so special was that it was legitimately funny, which so few comedies are these days." ALWAYS LEXIE "Directed by industry veteran Anne Fletcher (choreographer on "Hairspray", "The 40 Year Old Virgin", "Along Came Polly"), the film is genuinely funny in parts and, even if nowhere near realistic, is salvaged by the onscreen chemistry of Heigl." Laura Parker FILMINK "27 Dresses was a pleasant surprise and a breath of fresh air. It's nice to see a movie like this come around after the bombardment of abysmal romantic comedies we've been subjected to such as, "Because I Said So" and "License to Wed". If you thought those movies were good, then you'll be screaming Oscar nomination after you see this one." INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE "I though it looked wicked funny. Katherin Heigl and James Marsden make a great team in this movie. If you loved her in "Knocked Up," you will love her in this movie. Of course it helps with having the great other actors in the cast as well." MATCHSTICK REVIEWS

The Verdict "Katherine Heigl, EMMY Award winner for "Grey's Anatomy" and star of the highly successful "Knocked Up" returns in another highly rewarding film, this time the romantic comedy, "27 Dresses". Heigl is quickly becoming a Hollywood hot property and this film is sure to see her star value take another leap upwards. Those who have had a few 'life experiences' will find "27 Dresses" a very funny experience, while teens will be drawn like moths to a candle thanks to the films delightful leading lady. Guys, don't go writing this off as a chick-flick. The glue that bonds the characters together comes thanks to good performance by Heigl's co-stars Edward Burns and "Enchanted" co-star James Marsden. I get the feeling that, given the right roles, cinemagoers are going to see a lot more of Heigl, Marsden and another newcomer, Malin Akerman. Let's hope so! Good fun. Good value. 4 STARS." Synopsis

Jane has always been good at taking care of others. Her entire life has been about making people happy while neglecting her own. She has a closet full of 27 bridesmaid dresses to prove it. One memorable evening, Jane manages to shuttle between wedding receptions in Manhattan and Brooklyn, a feat witnessed by Kevin, a newspaper reporter who realizes that a story about this wedding junkie is his ticket off the newspaper’s bridal beat. Jane finds Kevin’s cynicism counter to everything she holds dear; namely weddings. The two lock horns. Further complicating Jane’s once perfectly-ordered life is the arrival of younger sister Tess. Tess immediately captures the heart of Jane’s boss, George. Tess enlists her always accommodating sister to plan yet another wedding Tess and George’s, but Jane’s feelings for him lead to shocking revelations and maybe the beginning of a new life.

Cast & Crew Bytes "27 DRESSES" stars .......
Katherine Heigl ["Prince Valiant", "Bride Of Chucky", "The Ringer" and "Knocked Up"]; James Marsden ["The Notebook", "Superman Returns", "Hairspray" and "Enchanted"]; Judy Greer ["Suddenly 30", "The Village", "Elizabethtown" and "American Dreamz"]; Malin Akerman ["Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle", "The Heartbreak Kid" and "Heavy Petting"]; David Castro ["Palindromes", "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" and "Where God Left His Shoes"]; Brian Kerwin ["Nickel Mountain", "Wet Gold" and "Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain"]; Michael Mosley ["Swimmers" and "The Big Bad Swim"] and Edward Burns ["Saving Private Ryan", "15 Minutes", "Confidence" and "The Holiday"] as George.
"27 DRESSES" was .......
directed by Anne Fletcher ["Step Up"]; screenplay by Aline Brosh McKenna ["Three to Tango", "Laws of Attraction" and "The Devil Wears Prada"]; edited by Priscilla Nedd-Friendly ["Pretty Woman", "American Pie" and "We Are Marshall"]; cinematography by Peter James ["Driving Miss Daisy", "Double Jeopardy" and "The Man Who Sued God"]; original music by Randy Edelman ["While You Were Sleeping", "Who Is Cletis Tout?", "Shanghai Knights" and "Connie and Carla"]; production design by Shepherd Frankel ["Step Up" and "P.S. I Love You"]; costume design by Catherine Marie Thomas ["Tape", "Sidewalks of New York", "Kill Bill: Vol 1 & 2" and "A Prairie Home Companion"]. Run Time 110 minutes Rated PG [AUST] ©2008 - 20th Century Fox - All Rights Reserved Rated [AUST] ©2008 All Rights Reserved - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - Protected by Australian & International Copyright. Trademark laws applied.