Craige Cronin (Shanghai)

As a screenwriter I was ticking off the boxes in terms of structure - given that this is a formula romance. I'm pleased to say that when I most feared the writer/director might lose control he surprised me and nailed each box in turn and did so with creative flair. The only negative I have is that I was not satisfied with the development of his macho friend, Jack. I think there can be a last minute twist and payoff there - i.e. to balance out both sides of the argument and make a 'different strokes for different folks' statement e.g. as credits roll and Jack and Nadine emerge from the church and while Peter and Jill happily look on, Jack takes the opportunity to give a sly sexual look to one of the bridesmaids (which is returned) and Nadine kisses (and likes) kissing one of Jack's friends. The reason I am suggesting the final twist is because a large percentage of the audience will not buy Jack's conversion, nor want it. The sociobiological observations made earlier in the film are indeed accurate re male mating instincts, so to completely cave in to the urban 'magic' love myth is to sell out completely to just one side of the argument. Let us see there are indeed two sides to the coin, those that should marry, and those that should not - it will give the film more intellectual depth than the usual - and they lived happily ever after myth - which most people just don't buy anymore anyway. On the whole, though, I think it's a definite winner and a fine effort.