Guest Author - Rain Battle

Although most of us see weddings as an opportunity to celebrate love, there are those who see weddings simply as opportunities - opportunities to hook up. That shallow philosophy is never lived more fully than through two best friends and players, John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Klein (Vince Vaughn). The two are long-time friends from college days, who shamelessly crash weddings for the sole purpose of picking up women. Although they have very little criteria for who they end up with (she needs to be hot), the method they use to capture their prey is detailed and time-tested. Lots of practice makes them very good at what they do. Very few women can resist their phony charms - whether she is married, bitter, or skeptical - all types fall for their routine and are never the wiser.

The unexpected happens when John Beckwith falls hard for Claire Cleary, a kind, beautiful woman who is naive and ill-equipped to deal with experienced players. Claire Cleary is likeable, charming, sweet and well played by Rachel McAdams (The Notebook). As he falls in love with her, Beckwith must decide to give up a lifestyle that he's enjoyed for many years, and possibly lose his partner in crime. Is she worth it? More accurately, is a chance at love worth the fun, shallow lifestyle he's been leading?

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson were a match made in comedic heaven. Precise timing, deadpan deliveries and only the best effort made watching these two together a real delight. They were laugh-out-loud funny and certainly work wonderfully together. Althouth the film's plot lagged in several places, the two lead actors carried things right along and the jokes were relentless. Completely innappropriate, wacky, and hysterical, the funny moments in the film were pure fun. This film definitely earned it's 'R' rating; there are several instances of nudity, sexual situations, and fairly extensive profanity.

Wedding Crashers can be placed in either of two categories: a genuinely funny movie with a lackluster plot, or a hilarious romp with two great comedians. I truly believe that this one will depend on your mood and your expectations. See the film with the intention of having a good time and prepare to laugh, but don't put too much stock into this being a deeply romantic lesson about true love. When one of the characters does learn how unsatisfying using women is, the lesson learned is portrayed in a few borderline cheesy scenes and probably something you already knew.