License to Wed

License to Wed
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Ken Kwapis
Screenplay by	Kim Barker Tim Rasmussen Vince Di Meglio
Story by	Kim Barker Wayne Lloyd
Produced by	Mike Medavoy Robert Simonds Arnold W. Messer Nick Osborne
Starring	Robin Williams Mandy Moore John Krasinski Christine Taylor Eric Christian Olsen Josh Flitter
Cinematography	John Bailey
Edited by	Kathryn Himoff
Music by	Christophe Beck
Production companies	Village Roadshow Pictures Phoenix Pictures Robert Simonds Productions Underground Films and Management Proposal Productions
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date	July 3, 2007(2007-07-03)
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$35 million
Box office	$70.2 million

License to Wedis a 2007 Americanromantic comedyfilm directed byKen Kwapis.StarringRobin Williams,Mandy MooreandJohn Krasinski,withChristine Taylor,Eric Christian OlsenandJosh Flitterin supporting roles, the film tells the story of a reverend who puts an engaged couple through a grueling marriage preparation course to see if they are meant to be married in his church. The film was released in theaters in the United States on July 3, 2007, byWarner Bros. Pictures,and received negative reviews from critics.

Plot

Sadie Jones has always longed to marry the man of her dreams in her family church. Although she has found her lifetime companion in Ben Murphy, Sadie is distressed to learn that St. Augustine has only one wedding slot available in the next two years. However, after re-checking their planning book, the church finds that the wedding can be held in three weeks.

Although Sadie and Ben do qualify for the slot, the church's eccentric minister, Reverend Frank Littleton, will not wed the couple until they agree to enroll in his prenuptial course (shortened, due to the new date, from three months to three weeks). As their wedding date draws near, Sadie and Ben must now follow all of Reverend Frank's rules, attend his unusual classes, and complete a series of homework assignments designed specifically to irritate one another, to confirm that theirs in notpuppy loveand to ensure that their union will have a sound foundation.

In one part of the course, the couple has to care for twin robot babies to simulate parenting. Due to a technical issue, they get on Ben's last nerve and he destroys one, to the horror of bystanders in a department store. To Ben's dismay, one of Frank's rules is nopremarital sex.To ensure compliance, Frank has his young assistant break into the couple's house and install a listening device. As such, Frank and can listen to all conversations. Ben eventually discovers the transmitter but does not tell Sadie, for fear that she will accuse him of lying and planting the bug himself.

Problems gradually begin to develop between the couple. Ben begins an investigation into Frank and eventually discovers that he was once married to a woman named Maria Gonzalez. Shortly before the wedding, Sadie becomes reluctant to have the wedding due to, among other things, Ben not preparing hismarriage vowsas part of the course, instead drawing a cartoon of a truck.

Ben confronts Frank about Maria Gonzalez, believing him to be a hypocrite. However, Frank reveals that the marriage was done to allow Maria, an immigrant and member of Frank's congregation, to stay in the U.S. Upset that Ben would waste his time on this insignificant investigation, Sadie calls off the wedding, leaving Ben devastated. On Frank's advice, Sadie goes on vacation to Jamaica, the couple's intended honeymoon destination.

Ben seeks advice from his friend Joel, who advises him to give up on Sadie, saying that there are other "fish in the sea". Ben, however, disagrees with this and decides to go to Jamaica. Frank and his assistant travel there, too. Ben attempts to call Sadie, but she refuses to listen. Her parents assure her that all marriages have problems, and her friend Carlisle tells her that Ben may just want someone who relies on him, allowing her to forgive Ben more easily. Ben writes his vows on the sand of the beach, they reconcile, and Frank weds them there.

Cast

• Robin Williamsas Reverend Frank Littleton
• Mandy Mooreas Sadie Jones-Murphy
• John Krasinskias Ben Murphy
• Eric Christian Olsenas Carlisle Myers
• Christine Tayloras Lindsey Jones
• Josh Flitteras Cameron the Choir Boy
• DeRay Davisas Joel Howard
• Peter Straussas Mr. Jones
• Grace Zabriskieas Grandma Jones
• Roxanne Hartas Mrs. Jones
• Mindy Kalingas Shelly Rawat
• Angela Kinseyas Judith the Jewelry Clerk
• Rachael Harrisas Janine Petroski
• Brian Baumgartneras Jim Boyce
• Wanda Sykesas Nurse Borman

Production

In February 2005, it was announced thatWarner Bros.had acquired theKim Barker-penned spec script.In March 2006, it was announced thatRobin Williams,Mandy MooreandJohn Krasinskihad been secured for the lead roles.

Filming partially took place atFirst Congregational ChurchinLong Beach,California,as well as other locations in the region.Ken Kwapisfrequently directed episodes of the U.S. television showThe Office.This resulted in appearances fromThe Officecast membersJohn Krasinski,Angela Kinsey,Mindy KalingandBrian Baumgartner.Filming began on May 16, 2006.

Release

Critical reception

OnRotten Tomatoes,the film has a rating of 7% based on 124 reviews, with an average rating of 3.3/10. The consensus reads: "Featuring one of Robin Williams's most shtick-heavy performances, the broad and formulaicLicense to Wedwrings little out of its slightly creepy, unappealing premise. "OnMetacritic,it has a score of 25 out of 100, based on 30 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".Audiences surveyed byCinemaScoregave the film a grade of "B+" on scale of A+ to F.

Varietyreviewed the film as "an astonishingly flat romantic comedy, filled with perplexing choices".

Numerous reviewers, including Brian Lowry ofVarietyandMaryAnn Johansonof Flick Filosopherdescribed Williams's character as "creepy" and more worthy of a horror-film villain than a comic lead.

Box office

The film grossed $10,422,258 in its opening weekend, opening at #4 at the US box office, behindLive Free or Die Hard,RatatouilleandTransformers,the latter of which opened at the top spot. As of November 11, 2007,License to Wedhad grossed $43.8 million domestically, and $70.2 million worldwide,both career highs for Mandy Moore as a lead actress, and a box-office success after a $35 million reported budget.

External links

• Official website
• License to WedatIMDb
• License to WedatAllMovie
• License to WedatBox Office Mojo