The Last Bridesmaid

source: The Last Bridesmaid

Rachel Boston seems to be Hallmark's version of Emma Stone, and her look/delivery in a similar style does lift a fairly formulaic outing. It remains perfectly enjoyable though, with some sweet messages and moments along the way. I enjoyed this.

8.1 stars. I was surprised at some rare emotions welling up inside me during several scenes of this film. Rachel Boston and Paul Campbell have a particularly emotive chemistry in their interactions, and there is a rare magic between them. Along with the tearful moments, there are great romantic moments. The acting is polished amongst the whole ensemble cast, and the whole story moves fast with entertaining side plots which include her jewelry making and his filmmaking. All of the stories are robust and exciting. I find myself rooting for her to take on her parents' family business and simultaneously start her own jewelry business, even though it's obviously too much for one person. I don't want her to disappoint her parents and that's how invested this film makes me feel. I am intrigued by his filmmaking and how stirred she is by his accomplishments. The synergy between them is undeniable, how they believe in each other, yet each of them needs a confidence boost to trust in themself. I think the last time I was so moved and inspired was by a couple films, the first being 'Love on the Sidelines', and the other being 'North to Home'. If you haven't seen these, you must. 'The Last Bridesmaid' is slightly paler in comparison to the two I just mentioned, however it provokes similar emotions. The emotions I'm referring to are simple urges to be a better person and somehow 'The Last Bridesmaid' invokes a passion to change my current self and become my best self. It's really quite a marvelous feeling, you should share in it. I hope 'The Last Bridesmaid' does the same for you.

There were three main reasons for seeing 'The Last Bridesmaid'. One is that it was part of my Hallmark film completest quest started with their Christmas output in 2019, which expanded with their other seasonal films just recently. Two being Rachel Boston and the third being Paul Campbell, two of Hallmark's better regular actors. The story didn't sound particularly mind blowing, but that wasn't enough to put me off. 2019 was a variable year for Hallmark, not that that is much new as that has been true for all the previous years and since. 'The Last Bridesmaid' is closer to being one of the better ones, not quite getting there but light years away from being one of the worst. To me, 'The Last Bridesmaid' is also easily the best of the 2019 June Weddings films, the only one that was above average. The premise is in no way a new one, but this fares better than most of Hallmark's June Weddings films that have the same premise or similar. It is not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination. It didn't start off too great, starting on the slow side story-wise, the dialogue came over as awkward and Boston's character seemed too cold and hostile to begin with. Did feel that it was a little rushed at times structurally, with some unexplained timeline jumps. Also wish that much more was done with the service dog videos subplot, what was shown had real heart but there's too little of it. However, 'The Last Bridesmaid' has a lot that works well. It looks good, especially the scenery which is lovely. Other Hallmark films fare a lot worse when it comes to having ill fitting and intrusive music, neither of which were an issue really with me here. While the script is not Oscar worthy material, it at least has a natural flow once the film gets going and doesn't come over as too cheesy, schmaltzy or waffly. Many lines in the middle act were amusingly playful and quite adorable without trying too hard to be cute. Generally the story has a warm centre, is light-hearted and doesn't feel dull. The jewellery subplot was a nice touch and done with a lot of charm and really identified with the message, which wasn't too overt. The supporting cast all do solid work and Campbell has a subtle charisma and easy going charm present throughout the film. Boston is less consistent due to having the less likeable character to begin with, but when the character warms up she brings her usual spark. The two do have a sweet, genuine chemistry together and the relationship doesn't feel rushed or aimless. Concluding, not great but very worthwhile. 7/10.

This movie and already giving it all the stars. Becca has just arrived with a lot of luggage. I feel like Hallmark has heard viewers when we comment about characters having one suitcase to stay a week but has endless shoes and bulky coat options. I love that they have leaned into that.

I am a fan of Paul Campbell so I thought I'd give this a re-watch, even though I didn't remember being overly impressed. Paul was fine. Rachel, Rachel, Rachel. I used to like her all right. She used to be one of the go-to Hallmark actresses. The more I have seen her in recent years, the less I like her. She has a real stagey acting style. She says her lines like she knows there is an audience watching her. No matter what role she plays, beneath the smiles and niceness, she kind of comes across like she knows she is kind of superior to everyone else. This is just the way she comes across to me. I know she has her fans, and that is fine. I found her interaction with Paul Campbell came across as borderline hostile especially at the beginning. And it wasn't due to the story. Her eyes were so cold when she looked at him in a few scenes, I actually got a little freaked out. I wish I knew what was going on there, if anything. The story wasn't all that bad, hence a respectable 7 stars from me. The script seemed well-written and had some cute and clever lines. I liked that she was playing her age not an almost 40 year old actress playing a young inexperienced girl just starting out in her career. The jewelry making subplot was interesting and added a lot to the usual love story. The message was a good one: Follow your dreams, do what you love, but stay sensible and grounded. The romance as scripted did not come out of nowhere, the relationship developed naturally and realistically.

This is my favorite June Weddings movie. In my previous reviews I use the word best, but they are specific to a certain criteria. This movie, is the best among June weddings movies, and it is great in general. Rachel Boston and Paul Campbell put on a great show. I also enjoy the music (opening scene). Another great movie (in my all time top 10)

Jewelry designer Becca Foster (Rachel Boston) is the last of the unmarried bridesmaid at her cousin Lucie's wedding. She meets the videographer Kyle Taylor (Paul Campbell) working the preparations to the wedding. He doesn't believe in love. She is taking over her family business which would make her too busy for a personal life. The bride-groom couple sets her up with best man Aidan. The meet cute could be a little better. They do make for a cute couple. Boston cannot stop smiling and Campbell is equally pretty. His jealousy is also pretty cute. It's a cute Hallmark. The cute couple deserves a pass.

Nice script & great connection between Paul Campbell and Rachel Boston. This movie made my top ten hallmark (another one with Paul Campbell). Rachel did a great job. I loved it.

This is just my own personal view appreciating that every viewer would take away something different whether positive or negative from the show and that is fine, good even, as it makes for an interesting read of the reviews. Well I didn't enjoy the show - won't be watching it again. Wish Hallmark would make more shows about a deeper and more mature love, like second chance love or love after a spouse passes/divorce because then the characters are more mature and at a more stable place in their lives. You know that the next time they love, it would have depth because they have experienced pain before. With these young people in this show who are getting married (Lucie and Craig), it is all about the perfect wedding, no expenses spared apparently, and nothing to do with a strong marriage. And no more bridezillas pleeeeeease. "The wedding co-ordinator quit." Her reaction saying this, she might as well have announced that an entire continent was experiencing sudden starvation. And there was something wrong with the consistency of the timeline - it was 10 weeks to the wedding, things have been crazy for "the last 3 months" and then something magical happened in "the last 5 months" - think the writers need to be more careful with the timeframe that this show is supposed to have evolved within. The storyline is shallow and the only time there was any real nice depth was with the videos about the service dogs. Wish they had focussed more on that. I always struggle to get past the baby face paired with the receding hairline of Paul Campbell. It is like watching a baby who is balding. And his delivery of his lines was delivered with a distinct lack of life in this show. Half the time he wasn't interesting enough to focus my attention. There was no chemistry between his character and Rachel Boston's character, Becca. Their eyes are pretty stone cold when they look at each other. They smile at each other but the smile does not reach their eyes. I didn't end up rooting for them to end up together. Kyle jumped to the fastest conclusion that Becca betrayed his trust before even finding out more and he is just being very childish and petty about his videos. Becca should have told her parents earlier that she had decided to concentrate on her jewellery making business. It is a good thing that Rachel Boston has such a pretty smile because when she is not smiling, she is not pretty, lips too thin. And I think she needs to consider the way she walks. Her legs are never together, it is like there is a tennis ball between her knees. It was terribly obvious in the transparent floral dress she wore - with the light shining through the skirt, the way she walks was painful to watch. "Greenhouse 5 minutes"? Without knowing who sent that note she smiled and went? Strange. "Love is effortless and easy"? Seriously?! Maybe I missed it but did the Uncle ever say he would produce Kyle's video? Did Becca's parents say who would take over the company in Becca's place? It's like 5 writers took various parts of the movie without reference to each other and then slapped the 5 parts together. I know I am being very Aunt Violet about this review but I just feel like I've wasted my last 1.5 or so hours and am disappointed in this Hallmark movie (and I LOVE Hallmark movies, being the only movies I watch these days).