Will You Merry Me?

source: Will You Merry Me?

I cannot tell you how disappointed I was in this movie - despite having the brilliant Wendie Malick and always entertaining Cynthia Stevenson acting their hearts out, this leaden script is so horribly condescending and mocking of the Midwestern Christian family who are meeting the affluent Jewish Angelena to whom their son is engaged, as well as her tragically hip parents. The boy's (and I use that deliberately, since both offspring are played by actors who look like high schoolers, not the mid-twenty somethings they purport to be) parents are a cartoonish depiction of the derogatory conservative Americans famously defined by Obama as "clinging to their guns and bibles". They are viewed by the sophisticated City Folk from LA as freakish species so far outside of the experience of the sophisticated denizens of either coast that they act as if they're at a freak show. Their efforts to be tolerant of the Stevenson characters efforts to include Hannukah traditions in the family's over-the-top Christmas rituals and decor come across as patronizing, even supercilious. It's as if the writer used Rose Nyland as the model for the entire citizenry of the Midwest - naive, clueless and desperate to be liked. It is unlikely that anyone living in suburbia anywhere is as ignorant of other cultures as the Stevenson character- seriously, she does not know what a vegetarian eats? - one gets the impression that the writer had a checklist of lame Midwestern tropes and ticked as many boxes as possible. The son, with most of his hayseed extracted since he scored a rent-controlled apartment in Manhattan where his roommate (now fiancée) and workd as a lawyer, acts like Richard Attenborough explaining the odd habits and strange environment from whence he came. I kept watching in the hopes that it would become the charming holiday flick we all devour but I was so turned off by the first half hour - the self-righteous vegetarian, baby-voiced daughter is aghast at the knowledge that the family hunts and sounds like she is dealing with the mentally ill when she speaks to her future in-laws. The smug superiority oozing from Malick, which works brilliantly when she is doing comedy or satire, is deeply offensive as this script is neither until well past the time when it could be saved in my eyes. If the stereotype were on the other foot, the story would never have been made, though there are a few Jewish stereotype included - but the attempt to mitigate the obvious bias falls flat as it appears the writer has little or no actual real life knowledge of either group. Fortunately, since it really focuses on mocking the last acceptable target - Christian Caucasians from flyover country - Lifetime felt safe in broadcasting this. The network, which has finally made strides in diversifying its casting for its popular holiday movies as far as race is concerned, must feel particularly proud of this offering because it includes Jewish holiday traditions. I only give it five stars because of Malick and Stevenson, who are always worth watching.

Typical Hallmark/Lifestyle Christmas movie. Unrealistic, plot-holes a plenty. There are a number of laugh out loud moments. A number of cringe moments. You don't watch this kind of movie for deep or intellectual storytelling. To the people who say how offensive this movie is and how unrealistic the way the midwestern parents are, as a non-religious British man who dated some from from Iowa, visiting Iowa for a family wedding was not unlike this, with people trying so hard to be inclusive, that they actually became offensive, in an hilarious way. I really wish the gay son story had been bought to the front, for a truly chaotic family celebration.

This was a fun movie. The moms, Wendy Malick and Cynthia Stevenson, are excellent in their roles - really, all the main characters are good but these two women steal the show. Reagan Pasternak is especially funny as Mary in the nativity pageant. The usual Christmas scenes are there, but with twists and unexpected results that kept it from becoming the usual Christmas Hallmark dozer. I would watch this again. If you like Christmas movies that are funny, you'll probably like this one. Wendy Malick typically chooses good scripts.

If someone wants to review something, that's fine. But PLEASE try to use proper grammar! The first trivia has every THEIR, THEY'RE, and THERE used incorrectly. THEIR symbolizes possessions....their home, their children, their idea. THEY'RE is simply a contraction of two words...they and are...THEY'RE coming, THEY'RE outside. THERE is a place....look over there, put it down there. End of lesson. Sorry if you're offended, but this is taught in grammar school!

When I first saw this movie, I was literally laughing out loud at the decorations of the groom's hometown. So reminiscent of my own hometown as a kid where had similar traditions. (No cell phones, computers back then!!) Hilarious!! What I really liked was the introduction to Jewish traditions for Hanukah, which I've never seen in a Christmas movie. It was also fabulous seeing Wendie Malick. She is a phenomenal actress! Cynthia Stevenson also phenomenal- batty and wacky! The two of them being so different and then finding a way to come together is one of the best things. The husbands are marginally supportive, but let the mothers duke it out. The relationship between the two young lovers is also great, but as a mother of daughters, I would be highly suspicious of a relationship of six months becoming so serious after such a short time. However, I'm not sure how old the two are so maybe they've already been around the relationship block before. Overall a great movie and I look for it every year!!

The plot of this movie has to do with two families with different religious beliefs and a young couple getting married. The first time the families gather are during the Christmas holidays. One family is Jewish and the other Christian. This movie has some great laughter and funny situations, which are so far-fetched at times that you can't help but laugh out loud. The mom that celebrates Christmas in her own colorful way is attempting to mix Judaism with Christianity when the families meet for the first time. Some of it is very funny while other parts are heart warming. The Jewish roots family manages to pull their own share of funny moments in sabotaging Christmas but not in a spiteful way. While these situations and further discussions of their future keep creeping up the young couple are actually questioning whether they both want the same things in a marriage. This movie is not a must see like "Meet the Fockers" however, it does have it have enough of a plot line that you will be entertained throughout the movie. It also educates you if you unfamiliar with either religion. If you want to have a few out loud laughs, then it is definitely worth your while to check this movie out. If anything it will remind you of your own special Christmas or Chanukah memories or even a mixed religious holiday.

Another reviewer complain that this is offensive. Give me a break. My sister acts just like the Christian woman in this film. SHe would of gone out her way to find "Kosher Items" if she was having over a Jewish family and it happened to be Chanukah/Hanukkah. Yes "The Fiddler on the Roof" on the home was stupid but in general this film was funny. My biggest gripe was the "Unresolved" kiss with ex- girlfriend. Most of all the Gay Brother is never fully acknowledged by the parents. Also the parents were not sad that "He wasn't Home For Christmas". That is my minor gripe. Now this film in a television film so it is short and to the point. AS for Holiday Theme Television Films and quality this one is worth watching. The cast worked well together. There is some very funny laugh out loud moments that need to be seen. AS par for the course for "Holiday" movies it has a happy ending. Most adults will enjoy this and can relate to this family.

As a Christian and Catholic, I found this movie to be offensive. It portrays a Christian family that is VERY extreme in it's celebration of Christmas. The mother of the Christian boy borders on a lunatic in the way she talks about Christmas and the way she interacts with the Jewish mother and father. The movie seems to monger sympathy for the Jewish mother and father in this unreal Christian community where everyone is completely obsessed with Christmas. For me, it's a less than subtle way of Christian bashing in this movie, which reveals the Jewish family as rational, stable and hip and contrasting the Christian family as irrational, unstable and square.

2 THUMBS UP for a TV movie !! I just watched will you merry me last night on Lifetime, or was it Hallmark? lol.. its one of those chick channels. I found it amusing, humorous, and well written. It's a must see for anyone who likes holiday movies. I liked it because it wasn't real sappy like many chick flicks. This film moved at a good pace, kept your interest and was funny. Wendy Malik did a good job as a uppity mom blending into a family she really didn't want any part of. Her transition from tolerance to heartwarming acceptance as a family with a climatic gift she receives is truly well written and acted. Watch wendy's hubby's reaction when this happens. Sure it went overboard a little with the Christmas mom, but was still fun to watch christians meet the jews, haha. Can anyone say fiddler on the roof? PRICELESS! Well written to accommodate ever situation, even a death! I won't spill the beans but this death tied into the buildup was funny. Bravo to Patrick McKenna who did a excellent job at mr Christmas dad. He did a great job at acting neutral in any given situation. I wish i had half his patience and go with the flow attitude. I would recommend will you merry me to any woman who enjoys Christmas movies, and for the guys, same thing. p.s. i loved the gnome, shame on her, lol MERRY Christmas EVERYONE 2008, HO HO HO !!