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Kelly Macdonald, David Tennant, Alice Eve, Michael Urie, Sally Phillips ... see more see more... , James Fleet , Dylan Moran , Federico Castelluccio , Samuel Roukin , Hamish Clark , Maureen Beattie

When the wedding of internationally famous film star Lara Tyler (Alice Eve) to tweedy English author James Arber (David Tennant) is sabotaged by a paparazzo, they decide to relocate the event to the o... read more read more...ne place where the world's press won't find them: the sleepy Island of Hegg, as featured in James' bestselling novel The Ornithologists Wife. However, dilapidated buildings and greedy islanders are the least of the problems that the wedding party and their Hollywood entourage have to deal with, as Marco (Federico Castelluccio) the ingenious paparazzo tracks them down in his mission to photograph the celebrity wedding of the year. Steve and his assistant Emma (Sally Phillips) must find a decoy bride and think that local girl Katie (Kelly MacDonald) will be an ideal replacement. But when Katie meets James, sparks fly, dresses get ruined and love gets complicated. -- (C) IFC

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44% liked it

559 ratings

Critics

20% liked it

20 critics

PG, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Sheree Folkson

Release Date: March 9, 2012

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DVD Release Date: June 26, 2012

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Flixster Reviews (35)


  • March 11, 2012
    "The Decoy Bride" starts with a shell game to distract the press from the true setting of the wedding between movie star Lara Tyler(Alice Eve) and author James Arber(David Tennant). And it looks like they are successful until it turns out that paparazzi Marco Ballani(Federico Ca... read morestelluccio) has been waiting a good long time in wait for them to show up. With the wedding ruined and running out of alternatives, James muses half in-jest about getting married in outer space.(It's funny he should mention that...) Instead, they go for the next best thing at a remote island in the Outer Hebrides which the vikings never bothered with and neither did James when he was writing his novel "The Ornithologist's Wife" about it. Making a less than triumphant return is Katie Nic Aoidh(Kelly Macdonald) to take care of of her ailing mother(Maureen Beattie) and just in time for the wedding of her ex, Angus(Hamish Clark). Enter the meddling monk.

    "The Decoy Bride" is a funny and charming throwback to the golden age of screwball comedies that a game cast handles well, especially the winsome Kelly Macdonald. As such, the movie is definitely predictable but it also has more than its share of moments. Much of the story is concerned with how we lose all perspective when it comes to celebrities and the idea of the perfect wedding when the important thing is finding the right person to be with.

Critic Reviews


Robert Abele
March 16, 2012
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

Instead of working to clarify its high-concept contrivances, the romantic comedy "The Decoy Bride" jettisons logic and detail for silly-quirky rompiness. Full Review

Frank Scheck
March 9, 2012
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

A bland romantic comedy in the Richard Curtis style, The Decoy Bride is mainly notable for its proof, if any was needed after Boardwalk Empire, that Kelly Macdonald is a major talent. Full Review

Neil Genzlinger
March 8, 2012
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times

Cupid works in strange and sometimes very funny ways, as this charming, nontaxing comedy directed by Sheree Folkson makes clear. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
March 6, 2012
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

Pernicious tripe suitable only for masochists and the intellectually disabled... Full Review

Brian Orndorf
March 15, 2012
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

A woefully pedestrian effort, meant for background noise at a bridal shop, not a feature film that requires the purchase of a ticket. Full Review

Matt Bochenski
March 12, 2012
Matt Bochenski, Little White Lies

Possibly the worst thing ever in world history. Full Review

Philip French
March 11, 2012
Philip French, Observer [UK]

It should have been called "I Know Where I'm Gurning". Full Review

Todd Jorgenson
March 9, 2012
Todd Jorgenson, Cinemalogue.com

The Scottish landscapes offer about the only highlight. Full Review

Tim Robey
March 9, 2012
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

A romcom you almost feel sorry for, like a wedding where half the guests drown. Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
March 8, 2012
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

It's indulgent, but Macdonald's performance is attractive and relaxed. Full Review

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