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Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

  • Summary: When the wedding of internationally famous film star Lara Tyler to tweedy English author James Arber is sabotaged by a paparazzo, they decide to relocate the event to the one place where the world’s press won’t find them: the sleepy Island of Hegg, as featured in James’ bestselling novel Theel The Ornithologists Wife. But to the shock of Lara’s P.A Steve Korbitz, the reality of the island is different from the romanticised picture James has created (without ever visiting), and he has to transform this fantasy world before the superstar arrives. (IFC Films) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Negative: 3 out of 7
  1. Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Mar 8, 2012
    90
    The script, by Sally Phillips and Neil Jaworski, mocks celebrity culture but never turns too caustic. The movie, like an island vacation, passes pleasantly and all too quickly.
  2. Reviewed by: Calum Marsh
    Mar 6, 2012
    63
    The film recognizes how resolutely derivative it is, and it deigns to relish rather than efface that quality. The result is a trifle, but a fairly amusing one.
  3. Reviewed by: Peter Bradshaw
    Mar 18, 2012
    60
    It's indulgent, but Macdonald's performance is attractive and relaxed.
  4. Reviewed by: Alison Willmore
    Mar 7, 2012
    33
    Tennant and Macdonald are appealing performers, but they aren't given scenes that convey they even like each other, much less that they're irresistibly drawn to each other, circumstances be damned.

See all 7 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. I'm so sick of pretentious dribble by critics who slash movies because it might be too cute for their jaded taste. The hack job by the Voice is a perfect example. I loved it! And I grew up stimulated by Bergman, Bunuel and Godard. That's why I so appreciate a forum for "regular" folks to counteract critics' negativity. Decoy Bride won't change the world, but it will make you smile and laugh and maybe shed a tear. Boardwalk's Kelly Macdonald is brilliant as the charismatic center of this little movie, which continues a tradition of classic Scottish charmers like Local Hero. Expand
  2. 10
    I loved this movie. It's funny and charming - the vitriolic reviews make no sense at all. Don't let them put you off - if you like romantic comedy as a genre then you'll love this movie. Expand
  3. The Decoy Bride is an inoffensive romantic comedy. I laughed out loud several times, but I can't say I was surprised by anything while watching it. I mostly saw it because I'm a huge David Tennant fan. He wasn't at his best (some critics' accusations of him merely going through the motions have merit), but Kelly Macdonald almost makes up for it. She is brilliant, charming, and not your standard Rom-Com heroine as a mildly desperate small-island girl on the hunt for an eligible bachelor. My final say is if it looks like something you might enjoy, you probably will, but it is in no way spectacular enough to win over anyone who doesn't like romantic comedies and is doubtful of it going in. Expand

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