It’s rare these days that someone tells me to watch a movie that doesn’t show up in IMDb’s search function. When it does happen, it’s usually some random B horror flick that barely saw the light of day back in the day. This time, though, that mystical seer of mine tossed me an ABC Family movie starring Bradley Cooper (pre-Hangover fame) and Jason Priestley. Where does she find these things?
Originally called “I Want to Marry Ryan Banks” (as shown in the image above), the story follows Cooper as a talent manager for his friend, Ryan Banks (Priestley). Worried for his friend’s waning popularity as a movie star, Cooper concocts a reality show similar to The Bachelor to boost his public perception. After the ladies are assembled and the show begins filming, Cooper inadvertently falls for one of the contestants, incidentally America’s favorite from the start. Things get complicated, though, as the producers keep funneling her toward Priestley, as per the popular vote, and Cooper has a falling out with Priestley. Can he find true happiness?
Well, it’s a romantic comedy made for ABC Family, so I doubt I’m really spoiling anything when I say that he can. The full details of the ending I will leave alone, but it’s a doozy of a Happily Ever After.
As a made-for-TV rom-com, the production values ain’t exactly soaring here, and there’s a strange fuzzy filter over a good portion of the proceedings (oddly mostly when the in-movie cameras aren’t on the action). Hell, the DVD only comes in Fullscreen. The script is a bit on the predictable side, and the acting is mostly solid. Nothing in the way of sharp insight on anything is really unearthed here, especially considering a good portion of the plot is a straight derivation on Cyrano de Bergerac.
All of that said, this was actually a surprisingly enjoyable watch. Cooper shows the charisma that will soon make him a star, Priestley is not nearly as insufferable as I’ve seen him in the past (and, regardless, that’s part of his character), Emma Caulfield works well as the relatable romantic lead, and the other contestants all bring in some mildly entertaining quirks. Sure, it’s fluffy and squishy, but it’s less saccharine than it certainly could have been, and nothing ends up being too ridiculous or ludicrous for my sensibilities.
What irked me, though, was Cooper’s ultimate attraction here. Nothing against Caulfield and her character, but I feel the best choice was right in front of him, yet still ignored. I’m speaking of Cooper’s personal assistant, Nikki, played by Erin Karpluk. How was he so damn blind to the cool, spunky chick from the office? Maddening…
Anyway, if you’re in the mood for something you don’t have to think about and something that won’t adversely affect the structural integrity of your teeth, give (The) Reality of Love a shot, assuming you can find it. Leave it to Miss Cleo, she knows what she’s doin’.
Allusions of Grandeur 