The Wedding Planner (2001)

17% of critics liked it
(103 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(459,267 ratings)

This lighthearted romantic comedy in the tradition of Runaway Bride (1999) casts Jennifer Lopez in the Julia Roberts mold. Lopez stars as Mary Fiore, an ambitious and successful San Francisco wedding planner who works only for the most wealthy and exclusive clients but who is also a perpetual… More This lighthearted romantic comedy in the tradition of Runaway Bride (1999) casts Jennifer Lopez in the Julia Roberts mold. Lopez stars as Mary Fiore, an ambitious and successful San Francisco wedding planner who works only for the most wealthy and exclusive clients but who is also a perpetual single. Pressured by her father Sal (Alex Rocco) to settle down, Mary is saved from a collision with an out of control dumpster by Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey), a successful pediatrician. After sharing a romantic evening and a dance together, Mary learns that Eddie is engaged and that she's being hired by his controlling fiancée Fran (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras), an Internet tycoon, to plan their lavish wedding. The directorial debut of former choreographer Adam Shankman, The Wedding Planner costars Kevin Pollak, Judy Greer, and Kathy Najimy. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Adam Shankman
Written By: Michael Ellis, Andrea King, Pamela Falk
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Jan 26, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Jul 3, 2001
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Suffers particularly in inevitable comparison with My Best Friend's Wedding.
Jessica Winter, Village Voice
McConaughey is insufferably smug as always, while the bewilderingly miscast Diva appears bored and impatient.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Occasionally so inept and embarrassing that it's almost physically painful to sit through.
Joel Siegel, Good Morning America
It runs of romance and it runs out of laughs.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
The work of la Lopez, who is as gifted as she is gorgeous, and by McConaughey, a dreamboat when he's at ease, is more than compensatory.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Disappointing would-be romantic comedy.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Not so much a movie than just another tool in the entertainment-world-domination plot concocted by the burgeoning, big-butt-blessed multimedia phenomenon nicknamed J. Lo.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The script recycles every cliché you could possibly imagine (and then some).
Rebecca Murray, About.com
The Wedding Planner is a bit of fluff, but fluff can be entertaining taken in light doses.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
Its manner is as light as wedding cake frosting and its lead performances are as poised as the bride and groom at the top of the cake.
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Although Lopez projects her usual charisma here, McConaughey seems as out of place as Will Rogers playing Rhett Butler.
Jeffrey Chen, Window to the Movies
One of the more confused romantic comedies.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
when J-Lo tries to be J-Ro (as in Julia Roberts), the results are no-go. Obnoxious and unfunny from start to finish, "Planner" is about as tender and comforting as a fairy tale shouted through a bullhorn.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Bethany M

I loved this film. One of Jennifer Lopez best films. A really great romcom!
Candy R

Good rom com about a chance meeting of a couple who fall for each other. Only to discover the guy is getting married and the girl turns out to be his wedding planner.
erika b

Jennifer Lopez does not know how to act. not a good film at all.
Anthony L

Why oh why do I do it to myself. I'm starting to rethink my 'Can't and won't judge a film until the end credits' and 'Every film deserves a fair chance' mottos. Quick question though, was Justin Chambers playing a deaf/mentally challenged Italian or… More
Why oh why do I do it to myself. I'm starting to rethink my 'Can't and won't judge a film until the end credits' and 'Every film deserves a fair chance' mottos. Quick question though, was Justin Chambers playing a deaf/mentally challenged Italian or just an Italian?
Dean M

This sometimes-funny affair about the basics and fallacies of love is crippled by dumb progressions in both plot and subplots.
Alice S

Sweet typical romantic comedy. Nice tango confrontation sequence.
Nani V

cute.
Rachel F

I like this movie a lot. It's another one of those adorable romantic comedies.
danny d

entertaining but im not into the whole adultury thing
Leigh R

Blah!
Jose Z

Dont like it, its a romantic comedy so sweet and pink that it becomes ridiculous
Keith A

It was a little too by-the-numbers.
Grant B

i hated the ending! but over all great movie
Deb S

I've never been even mildly impressed by Jennifer Lopez, but I thought I'd give this movie a chance. After all, I do like a good chick-flick. JLo is the wedding planner who ends up falling in love with a paediatrician played by Matthew McConaughey, only to learn that he is… More
I've never been even mildly impressed by Jennifer Lopez, but I thought I'd give this movie a chance. After all, I do like a good chick-flick. JLo is the wedding planner who ends up falling in love with a paediatrician played by Matthew McConaughey, only to learn that he is engaged to someone else, and Lopez has to arrange the wedding! Some people may enjoy this, but be warned, it isn't brilliant and you may want a very large cup of coffee to help you stay awake. A guilty pleasure because McConaughey is as sexy as I've ever seen him.
Nicolas K

Nothing to write home about
Yinalí R

Super romantic!
Sylvester K

I would marry that italian guy OK!! Seriously, casting was not that good, predictable. utterly disappointing
Juli R

Matthew McConaughey is miscast. The script is not convincing or romantic. Even Jennifer Lopez can't save this bad movie. Skip.
Aurelius D

Don't judge me.
Sarah B

Jennifer Lopez... Poor Matthew McConaughey.