Love & Marriage, 1999

While ironing this past weekend, I watched My Best Friend's Wedding with Julia Roberts circa 1999. The movie felt dated by 2006 standards. For one, JR uses a cellphone that is enormous in size and looks like it weighed a lot, especially in comparison to the little ones we have today. Besides the cellphone, JR's character makes a deal to marry her best friend if neither are married by 28. JR doesn't look anywhere near 28 in the movie, but nevermind that. It got me thinking: Was 28 the age people expected to get married for the late 90's? Seems awful young. And, hey, I'm almost 28!

I don't think 28 is the prevailing marker for "spinsterhood" anymore. It's been moved to at least 35 or late 30's--I think Sex and the City definitely played a role in the change, but that's another post.

I realize the age thing in the movie is to help the plot move along, which is that JR's best friend is marrying too-perky-for-words Cameron Diaz. JR realizes she is losing her safety net husband, so she moves in and tries to disrupt the wedding. We learn that JR's character has always had trouble with men and relationships, never had one longer than two weeks. She uses men, is a bit of a cold fish, and used all the extra time to focus on YES, YOU GUESSED IT! her career. She embodied the perfect woman for the best friend and even Cameron Diaz, but perfection and career doesn't keep you warm at night, soooo comedic hyjinks follows as JR tries to woo the best friend back.

The movie devolves into your basic women-MUST-marry-to-feel-fulfilled-yada-yada-yada formula. Even the film's soundtrack emphasizes this message. Songs culled from 50's, 60's girlgroups are a major part of certain scenes. Perfect example is the opening montage of a group of (brunette) bridesmaids worshipping at the feet of a (blonde) bride while singing that "Wishin and Hopin" song.

In the end, JR does not end up with the best friend, he marries Cameron Diaz. She ends the night dancing and laughing with the friend/confidant who would be perfect if only he wasn't gay. Too bad.

Some sort of warning should be attached to the film's opening credits: Little Girls, beware! Working on your career doesn't mean you sacrifice love, or vice versa. You don't have to give up yourself in order to couple!

Unfortunately, I don't think anything has changed in the seven years or so since the movie came out. Same expectations, only now you get a couple of more years before feeling like a loser