male lead should have been different - The Wedding Date (2005) Discussion

[–] Howlin Wolf 18 years ago

Orlando Bloom doesn't have any "spark", either; and at least Dermot Mulroney is capable of being charming sometimes... I've never seen Mr. Bloom attempt to play the role of a 'ladies man', and what's more I cant exactly say I want to. Dermot, Jude Law and countless others manage to pull it off so much better than he could.

I'm sorry, I don't speak monkey...

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[–] netnienoonie 18 years ago

I think Dermont was great in this movie. He has this husky voice that seems to do stuff to any sane woman! You needed someone "older" to play the part, Orlando Bloom is just too young and it wouldn't of been the same. I mean who can see Orlando Bloom being a male hooker?

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[–] loz_p 18 years ago

Actually if anyone has seen Midsomer Murders in one of the episodes Orlando does play a sort of womaniser/hooker. But it wasn't with the subtlety and grace that Dermot Mulroney portrayed in this movie. I couldn't really see anyone else from today playing that role, because he is so unique - he doesn't have the pretty boy look, but an intellectual one that surpasses the whole cute boy thing. the flaws lie in the script and the editing not neccessarily in the acting. I think both leads did a great job and I absolutely adore this movie.

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[–] Shopnowandsave 18 years ago

I rather like the suggestion that Jackie Chan should have played the lead.

"The King wore enough clothes for both of us." Mohandes Ghandi

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[–] pandorasbox 18 years ago

I can't quite figure out what he was going for. His character looks so...constipated.

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[–] Isaac5855 18 years ago

I have to go out on a limb here and say that I really liked Dermot Mulroney in this movie...there, I said it.

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[–] colorbynumbers17 18 years ago

u really didnt go out on a limb. i think a lot of people agree with that statement. i think i like him better in "the family stone" though.

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[–] obxparadise 18 years ago

All I know is i thought it was a great movie and I rented it solely due to the fact that Dermot Mulroney was in it. He played the part perfectly. He is hot too. I really like him and don't think he's been given the credit he's due. He's a great actor and played "Nick" as if he was Nick. Did I mention he's hot, hot hot?

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[–] Bai-Ling 18 years ago

Dermot Mulroney was perfect in the role of Nick. Absolutely brilliant. I loved him.

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[–] pandorasbox 18 years ago

I normally like McDermott. In this role, he seems so...constipated.

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[–] imogen_r_turner 17 years ago

aaah!! get out are u crazy!! dermot is incredibly sexy. Hw could u even begin to THINK that Orlando Bloom would manage to pull of this role? Dermot Mulroney is a man- what the part demanded. Orlando Bloom, although a decent guy is rle girly and wimpy. hav u seen his girly body in TROY? ok th film was terrible because it's so inaccurate but even so he was dreadful and I think just playing himself- a weedy girl. Although he was really funny on extras. But no Orlando couldn't possibly have done anything with the role except make the lines corny and did i mention GIRLY. Dermot is so sexy.

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[–] beck-81 17 years ago

Dermot is soooooo sexy, and also a very underrated actor. He's not stiff, he's subtle - there's a big difference. He's got all kinds of things going on behind his eys and I agree that he is hot, hot hot!!!
I think he is a gorgeous man who knows how to kiss onscreen, and how to look at a woman. And his deep voice, his sexy smile....WOW! He's AMAZING and nobody could have played it better. I love Johnny Depp but this wasn't a role for him - he's gorgeous too but not so gentlemanly and debonair.

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

marika

I agree, I don't think anyone could have played it better except maybe Cary Grant and he's long gone. I think Dermot posesses the same combination of class and sexiness that Cary always had. I love Johnny Depp too but I think you're right he just doesn't have the same amount of class as Dermot. He has a much sexier voice than Johnny too. I've seen just about everything Dermot has done and although I might not have liked the particular movie I've always thought he plays his part to perfection. He seems to give 100% no matter what he does. I've been lucky enough to see him perform in his band and he gives as much to that as he does to his acting. He is also one of the nicest men I've met. He is truly very humble and gracious. He is also drop dead gorgeous in person!

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[–] beck-81 17 years ago

CARY GRANT is one of my all-time faves because of his elegance and grace yet self-deprecating humor!
Good one! He is the ONLY actor that could do this.

OK, I am sooo coveting your having met Dermot in person!!!! I am sure he IS gracious and I KNOW he has to be drop-dead gorgeous ; )
He is always believable no matter the movie - doesn't work too hard and force things; he's a natural. I have been trying to watch all his films :-)

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

marika

I've tried to see all the movies he's done too. Unfortunately, there are a few out there that are hard to come by. I never realized how many movies he's done. Have you had a chance to see Investigating Sex yet? Now there's a movie that's hard to find. It's sold in PAL format at most places but I found a US format DVD at rarelicenseddvds.com. It was well worth the hassle and money. It's a little avant garde but I really liked it and Dermot is fabulous, as usual. You get brief glimpses of Dermot au naturelle too. These were very tastefully done IMOP. The rest of the cast is very good too. If you like off the wall independent films this is a keeper!

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[–] beck-81 17 years ago

I'll have to do a little searching........ ; ) Thanks!

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[–] dchapman-bizbox 17 years ago

If you all like Dermot, go back to about 1985 and a little HBO movie called "Long Gone". It starred William L. Peterson (CSI) and Virginia Madsen in a baseball movie that puts Bull Durham to shame. Dermot looks to be about 22 and fresh as they come. It may have been his first movie. Funny now to see him with some character lines and a little gray. Looks good on him, though.

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[–] beck-81 17 years ago

Thanks for that - I'll have to check it out! "Fresh as they come" - LOL - I know what you mean by that. I've seen some photos of him that are soooooo pretty-boy when he was young like that. They're beautiful, but I also love him with the lines and some gray - very dapper. And of course in My Best Friend's Wedding, in his mid-30s he was darn near perfect!!!!!!! When he gets the ring off Jules' finger with his teeth.....shiver!!!
What a sexy guy!!!!!!!!

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

marika

Do you know if "Long Gone" is on DVD and where you can get it? This is one of hte few movies that he's made that I haven't seen. It's sounds great but then IMOP any movie he is in is worth watching!

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[–] dchapman-bizbox 17 years ago

Sorry Marika, I just now followed up on this thread, has it been since March?

I'm not sure where to get a copy, but you might try your video store or google on it, try ebay. I first saw it in the mid 80's and my ex had taped it, but obviously that won't do me any good now! It was on TV a few months back, so I suppose it may air periodically.

Good luck!

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

Thanks for getting back to me. I managed to get a copy on tape so I was able to see it and as I suspected I loved it! He never ceases to amaze me, his acting is always brilliant even if the movie isn't. I still haven't been able to find it on DVD though. I haven't given up though, they seem to be releasing more of his earlier stuff on DVD now so maybe this will be available some time soon.

Thanks Again
Marika

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[–] AnothaFan 17 years ago

Dermot Mulroney is perfect as Nick Mercer. I had only rented the DVD for my friend who was visiting for the evening, because she likes Dermot. Well, it didn't take long for me to totally agree with her! It was great that I had the film on 7 day hire, I can't even tell you how often I watched the film that week, as I lost count. And I have bought my own copy since, (and also some of his other films).
I couldn't think of anyone else other than Dermot as Nick, he's wonderful.

:-)

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

Couldn't agree with you more! TWD was the first movie I noticed him and I have watched more times than I want to admit. I sldo did what you did and went back and watched some of his earlier work and found that he was really a great actor playing every part as if it were the lead. Did you know that he is a musician as well and plays in a group called Cranky George? He's an amazing cellist (you get to witness that in a movie called Samantha)and he plays mandolin, guitar, and dobra too. They haven't released a cd yet but they do have a myspace page where you can here some of their music. Enjoy the rest of his work. IMOP he's amazing in anything he does!

marika

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[–] AnothaFan 17 years ago

So far Nick Mercer is my favourite Dermot character, he's just dreamy.
But it's great watching Dermot in anything really.
A couple of days ago I watched The Thing Called Love & thoroughly enjoyed Dermot as Kyle. He was adorable. He was my favourite thing about the movie, although I did like the music thoughout & thought it was an interesting story too. Great to see Dermot perform a little bit of cello, as well as the guitar & his singing was sweet.
I had read that he is a musician. I would love to see him in his group Cranky George, but I'm in New Zealand.
I would also like to see the film Samantha, but it's only released on Region 1, so isn't compatible for my DVD player or computer. I will have to find the myspace page when I get a chance.
Thanks for the info marika.

:-)

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

If your computer is not a MAC and is running Windows 98 or better you should be able to watch any region. I have a region 2 copy of Investigating Sex that does not play on most of my friends players but will play on any computer. You may have a problem with Vista though, I'm not sure as I have never tried it on a computer with Vista on it. I did read were tey were releasing it on DVD here in the states so it might be in a region 1 format.

Here is the myspace address for cranky george http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=162629035&MyToken=0fa21494-c349-483d-b290-c22647c56f61. You can down load all their songs on the page.

So your from New Zealand, Dermot was just down there last summer on holiday I believe. I read an article that someone wrote about how they met him an his family in New Zealand and had pictures taken with Dermot. I doubt Cranky George will ever perform in N.Z. but they are talking about possibly putting out a cd so at least you could hear his wonderfully sexy voice and his brilliant musical talents. His brother Kieran is also in the band. I got to see them life once in Chicago at his brothers club but they haven't been back there. They perform in L.A. and N.Y. most often. I keep hoping they'll make it back to Chicago someday soon!

I have to agree I like Nick's character best but I did love him in Where the Day Takes You, Samantha, Trixie, Staying Together and Trigger Effect. I really enjoyed him in Georgia Rule and Gracie too, actually I love him in just about anything he does! I can't wait until Jolene is released here and he is working on three more projects that they are talking about and should be coming out in the next year or so. It should be an exciting year for Dermot fans. By the way, have you checked out dermotgirls, they usually have great pics from concerts and pretty reliable information. Annie, the woman who runs the site, is great and most of the woman on there are super nice and friendly with lots of Derm info. Check it out if you get a chance. Much like this board, the woman are very friendly and welcome new fans.

Hope you have a great day
Marika

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[–] AnothaFan 17 years ago

Yes, it is possible I could watch Region 1 on the computer, but I'm not allowed to 'mess' with it. Hubby says that you can only change it a few times. So I've been asking if I can have another computer! Well, we'll see, maybe one day, but meanwhile it's a no go.

I should have time on the weekend to look at the Cranky George site, thanks for that.

That's so cool about Dermot visiting NZ. It's kind of a nice feeling to know that he's been here, lol! (Even if he possibly only went to the North Island & I'm in the South Island, it's still good.) I really hope Cranky George do put out a CD, I'm sure I'd be about to order it online at least. Also, maybe one day I could visit LA or NY & get the timing right to see Cranky George, nice thought anyway.

I have Where the Day Takes You, which I hope to watch this weekend. Really annoyed that Georgia Rule was on at the picture theatres here only a couple of months ago, but before I noticed Dermot! Very bad timing, although at least the DVD will come out here.

I'll have to catch up on the various Dermot sites this weekend. Now, I better get going to work. Thanks again marika.

:-)

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[–] AnothaFan 17 years ago

I feel guilty for talking more about Dermot than The Wedding Date, so I'm going over to the Dermot message board.

:-)

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[–] johnaeryn89 17 years ago

The only reason I saw this movie was I knew Jack Davenport was in it. So I didn't care if Dermot was suited for the role or not. I FF most of the movie.

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[–] contemptuous_envy 17 years ago

Oh, I disagree soo strongly.

This role required a real man to play the part, exactly what Mulroney is. He brought a rugged charm to it that, I thought, complimented Messing's clumsy-girl-next-door appeal.

I'd rather scratch my eyes out with a rusty nail than see Orlando Bloom do his tpyically cute, puppy dog eye thing to this role.

Well, that's all really. La la la.

kisses on forgotten skin

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[–] fsilberstein 17 years ago

I also couldn't imagine another actor in this role. As many of you have already said, Nick works as a character, because of Dermot's charm, subtlety, masculinity, etc., etc., etc. We are not alone in our thinking, btw. The following quote is from Roger Ebert's review of this movie.

"Part of the movie's appeal comes from the way the Nick character negotiates the absurdities of the plot as if he stands outside it. A lesser performance, or one not as skillfully written (by Dana Fox) would have pitched him headlong into the fray. By withdrawing, so to speak, he creates a great curiosity about himself, and the other characters see in him what they need to see."

In essence, this movie may have it's flaws, but Dermot's portrayal of Nick is not one of them!

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

marika

You go girl! It's nice to know that some critics agree that Dermot was perfect for the part. WE all love him so of course we think he's perfect but to have Roger Ebert say that just makes our claims more legitimate!

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[–] UltimateJoolsFan 17 years ago

yes, it should've been different. for some reason Dermot just annoys me. He annoyed my in my Best Friends Wedding and he annoyed me in this. some parts he acted well, but some of it was a little wooden as well. I wouldn't have gone weak at the knees for him or anything. I would've liked Gerry Butler in this role much better ;)

"It's not appropiate for royalty to jingle"

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[–] contemptuous_envy 17 years ago

Amen!

Stares into space like a dead china doll

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[–] rachelallover 17 years ago

wow..i really am taken back by this!i thought dermot did a fantastic job playing nick!hes mysterious, sexy, charming, and basically everything that made the character wonderful!and i really have to say if orlando bloom had played it would've been a disaster!i like him, but he would be too young, and he just doesnt have the subtle/sexy quality dermot does.

*RacHie*
"'Cause in the heaven I'm headed to, theres a place for preachers, theives, and prostitutes. Saints and soldiers, beggers, kings, and renegades. For any soul that ever found amazing grace. Ain't no tellin' who on earth he might include, in the heaven I'm headed to."
--Dierks<33

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[–] cinemaisart 17 years ago

The male lead is the very reason why this movie is so good! Dermot is everything to this movie, take him out and the movie dies. I know the music choices are good, Debra is fine etc. etc. but why would we watch this movie more then once if was not for Nick/Dermot? I only can think of one actor that could be as amazing in that role: Harrison Ford, 20 years ago.

"It's all about small stuff. You know, small lies, small mistakes."

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

marika

I agree Derm was the best pick for this part. Harrison might have been able to do it but I don't think the character would have the same efect with Harrison playing it. I think I've mentioned this before but IMOP the only other actor that could have played it as well as Derm was Cary Grant at his peak. He could pull off class and charm as easily as Derm.

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[–] jnnfrbryc 17 years ago

Jack Davenport would have rocked that part so good - why he settled for the cuckolded fiancee (is anyone seeing a pattern in his roles here) is beyond me. The other guy was ok but Davenport just has such a fantastic voice and an easy presence that he would have just been great. He does however do a lot with the little he is given, another actor in that part might have faded completely into the background but that just shows you how fab he is.

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[–] mxgerlof 17 years ago

I rally liked Jack in this movie as well as in Pirates but I honestly don't think he could have played Nick as well as Dermot Mulroney did. He does remind me, however; of Dermot in that, no matter how small the part may seem, he plays it like its the starring role. That, to me, speaks volumes about their talent and commitment to their profession. We all have our favorites and I respect your opinion even if I disagree. I really do like Jack and his work though.

marika

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