Patrick Dempsey makes his full transition to romantic-comedy stardom in Made of Honor; flashing those winning dimples and twinkly baby blues to full fetching effect. The camera truly loves him; and his considerable affable charm calls to mind early Hugh Grant; winsome even in utter confusion. Dempsey plays Tom; a nice guy but a serial dater with a girlfriend in every zip code of New York; Michelle Monaghan is Hannah; Tom's BFF since college; who's decided she wants marriage and family. When she becomes unexpectedly engaged to Colin (Journeyman's Kevin McKidd; rather McDreamy himself); Tom realizes what the viewer's known all along--that Hannah is in fact his dream woman. It's When Harry Met Sally... meets My Best Friend's Wedding--but thankfully; Dempsey's Tom is far more sympathetic than Julia Roberts' snide schemer. The plot isn't exactly full of surprises; but the cast--and their amazing chemistry--are so winning that the film makes for the perfect date movie. Not only are all three leads charming in their own way; but the rich cinematography manages to make both Manhattan and the Scottish countryside look like glorious edens; one urban; one windswept. Monaghan is a revelation; quietly lovely as a young Carla Bruni; but with a flinty gumption that makes her all the more appealing. The supporting cast is rich; too; especially Sydney Pollack as Tom's serially marrying dad. (At his dad's fifth--or is it sixth?--wedding; Tom's new arm-candy "stepmom" gets tipsy and overly affectionate with guests as her new husband looks on fondly: "Ah... drunk as the night I first met her.") But at the core of the film are its big heart; and the connection between Tom and Hannah; deep and wide whether they end up just best friends or more. And the delight for viewers is knowing they'll be just as glowy either way.-- A.T. Hurley

Stills from Made of Honor (click for larger image)