People tend to love it when Hollywood can slap a “based on a true story” at the beginning of a movie. Films such as “Schindler’s List” and “127 Hours” resonate as some of the more compelling films of their respective times. Now, “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” joins that list.
Well, kind of.
The new film stars Zac Efron and Adam Devine as Dave and Mike, respectively, two brothers whose parents tell them they need to bring dates to their sister’s wedding in Hawaii. Mike and Dave’s parents hope that the boys’ dates will prevent the brothers from acting too foolish and ruining the wedding.
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So, Mike and Dave decide to find dates by posting an ad online. Their ad goes viral and leads to the brothers appearing on “The Wendy Williams Show”, where Alice, played by Anna Kendrick, and Tatiana, played by Aubrey Plaza see them and learn about the ad.
It then entices Alice and Tatiana to conjure up a scheme to make sure they get chosen as the wedding dates. The plan works, and the four set off for Hawaii where a slew of R-rated comedy shenanigans ensues.
This all sounds pretty typical for an adult summer comedy, but the interesting thing about this film is that it was apparently based on a true story.
Key word: based.
Mike and Dave really do exist, and they really did post an ad online seeking dates for their sister’s wedding, which really did go viral and lead to television appearances for the two brothers.
As pure comedic escapism, this film works pretty well. The four leads have balanced comedic chemistry and the script gives each actor his or her time to shine.
Efron and Kendrick have believable romantic chemistry and mesh together very well. Devine and Plaza also develop solid on-screen interactions but not quite as delighting as the former.
Unfortunately, a lot of unnecessary screaming happens in this movie. Actually, probably too much screaming. The characters’ frequent outbursts of yelling and profanity seem funny at first, but inevitably get old.
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The actors put in solid work for the most part, but Devine’s performance becomes so over the top in some scenes that it comes off as annoying.
Nothing about this film achieves brilliance in any way, and it certainly does not have anything new to say, even in the comedic genre. However, it still delivers in just about every aspect that a movie titled “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” could hope to.
What the film lacks in originality, it makes up for in pure comedic relief. Not every single joke lands, but a fair amount of them do, making for the funniest ‘true’ story to appear onscreen in quite a long time.
“Mike and DaveNeed Wedding Dates” by no means offers very memorable or compelling characters, nor will it join the pantheon of great movies based on true stories. But for a raunchy comedy and pure summer escapism, it definitely works.
Don’t go into this movie with any expectations other than to laugh.
Grade: “B”
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