reviewed by Lynn Barker

"I thought she was too sexy for the role," says Director Adam Shankman. "I didnÕt think Jennifer would be someone a bride-to-be would want around her fiancŽe." But Jennifer Lopez says: "After those action films and heavy dramasÉ.I know how goofy I am in real life, so this film seemed like a great way to show that side of me".

MARY FIORE (Jennifer Lopez) is a top-of-the-line San Francisco wedding planner and she runs her "show" like a Secret Service operative manning a Presidential appearance. Everything goes like clockwork with Mary in charge. Heck, she's been "marrying" Barbie and Ken dolls since she was a tiny tot. She's able to juggle her army of staff and still find time to be therapist to a doubting bride. At home, however, control freak Mary is alone munching dinner from a t.v. tray while watching "The Antiques Roadshow". Romance is 'nil for this workaholic.

When Mary asks her boss (played by Kathy Najimi) for a raise, she is told to land "the Donolly wedding" and a partnership in the firm is hers. While scurrying across the street, Mary's heel gets stuck and she's rescued from a runaway dumpster and knocked to the ground by handsome pediatrician STEVE EDISON (Matthew McConaughhey). The two hit it off bigtime and, after seeing an outdoor film in Golden Gate Park and dancing, it looks like Mary and the doc are headed for romance.

Mary meets FRAN DONOLLY (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras) and her parents who hire her to plan Fran's upcoming nuptials. When Mary is introduced to the groom, her pearly whites hit the floor. It's the good doctor Steve! The rest of the film involves Mary trying to fulfill her job and get her partnership while she and Steve pretend they haven't fallen in love. Mary even gets engaged to a Sicilian guy named MASSIMO (Justin Chambers) that her dad pushes on her. In the end, of course, true love wins out.

This old-fashioned romantic comedy has some nice moments, beautiful wedding and San Francisco scenery and Matthew and Jennifer aren't bad to look at (except that "mondo-booty". Ooooo, gurl, you could knock over the Golden Gate with that derriere!). Lopez also sings a couple of nice songs for the film and there are the expected lightweight laughs. It does seem, however, that any of a dozen hot stars could have played these two roles.. There's just nothing very "fresh" here. We've got the clichŽ "damsel-in-distress-on-a-runaway-horse" scene and the expected race/chase to find each other before it's too late. However, if you like looking at Texas hunk Matthew or Latina bombshell Jennifer then who cares? It'sÉ.well, warm, fuzzy and cute. Nice little date or girls-night-out flick.

Rated PG-13

Directed by: Adam Shankman
Screenplay by: Pamela Falk and Michael Ellis
Starring: Jennifer Lopez as Mary Fiore
Matthew McConaughey as Steve Edison
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras as Fran Donolly
Justin Chambers as Massino
Judy Greer as Penny
Joanna Gleason as Mrs. Donolly

Official Website: www.sony.com/theweddingplanner