2/3 of a raucous,funny summer movie is better than none at all

Rating: 7/10 (9 October 2005)

This summer comedy--a "sex comedy",if you will--is a great romp for the first 2/3 and a passable,if unremarkable and even somewhat cloying,final third.
Jeremy and John(Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson,both terrific here!)are WAshington D.C. arbitration lawyers who have become ace practitioners of going on the make at a variety of weddings in the D.C. area. They are lithe and enthusiastic in plying their craft,bedding as many cute,willing-to-marry honeys and leaving behind little or no trace of themselves along the way. Their ability to mold into differing weddings of various religions and cultures is a feat to behold,an nearly athletic endeavor of achievement. Alas,they,while completely carnally satisfied,find themselves at a point of emptiness. They're getting older(read:late thirties)and yet feeling like they're missing...something. Prety familiar stuff so far,but still done with a deft touch.
As fate would have it,they target the wedding of the oldest daughter of a prominent government official(Christopher Walken,well-cast)and set their sights on his two younger daughters(RAchel McAdams and Isla Fisher,both sexy and very charming). However,the boys cleave ways when they discover their targeted conquests are far more than they bargained for.
Director David Dobkin and writer Bob Fisher(there's another writer credited. I forget at this moment whom) are able to make this film both clever and yet familiar,sexy and yet sweet and the ability of the actors(Vaughn mostly)to ad-lib through the film make this film as fluid as it is kinetic. Add in Dr.Quinn herself,one JAne Seymour,as the horny,bitter wife of Walken's character to the mix and you have one largely entertaining comedy that screams "Summer flick!" all over. If you dig comedies,but want something that trips along smoothly(albeit fairly predictably),then this film is for you.