Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45779 in VHS
• Released on: 2005-02-28
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 105 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Bachelor got critically slammed when it played in cinemas, probably because reviewers couldn't help comparing it with the movie on which it's based, the brilliant Buster Keaton comedy Seven Chances. But on its own terms, The Bachelor is a modest and enjoyable picture about Jimmie (Chris O'Donnell), a happily single young man who suddenly gets an ultimatum from his grandfather's will: marry by his 30th birthday or lose an inheritance of 100 million US dollars. This is revealed the day before that very birthday. Unfortunately, Jimmie had already proposed to his girlfriend Anne (Renee Zellweger) and been turned down; she can see in his eyes that he isn't ready to get married and refuses to accept him until he is. So Jimmie needs to find a bride--fast. Though the commitment-shy man is a hoary clichè, The Bachelor successfully exaggerates Jimmie's fears to comic proportions. O'Donnell is his usual affable self, but it's Zellweger who seizes every scene she's in and makes something really enjoyable out it. The movie's greatest weakness is that she's such a small part of the second half. Still, there's good supporting performances from Hal Holbrook, Ed Asner, James Cromwell and Marley Shelton (as Zellweger's sister), and Peter Ustinov and Brooke Shields both have very funny scenes. The Bachelor skirts some dangerously chauvinistic territory at times, but by and large it's a pleasant comedy with some genuine good humour. --Bret Fetzer, Amazon.com

Synopsis
At St. Benedict's prep school, the boys are disciplined, mannered, and ready to learn. But when a bad apple enters the classroom of the well-respected Mr. Hundert (Kevin Kline), chaos ensues. Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch, DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS) is a kid with a chip on his shoulder and a powerful senator for a father. He is a shock to the system of Mr. Hundert, whose firm moral standards and unshakeable integrity are genuinely challenged by Sedgewick's eye-rolling, rule-breaking, uncaring insubordination. Determined to change Sedgewick, mold him, and bring out the strong and true character that he believes to be at the core of every student, Mr. Hundert makes Sedgewick his priority. However, their bond will remain a thorn in Mr. Hundert's side for years thereafter, even beyond his retirement. Based on a short story by Ethan Canin, and directed by Michael Hoffman, THE EMPEROR'S CLUB uses crisp photography and convincing performances to communicate this wholesome tale of honor, morality, and trying to do what's right at all costs.

Customer Reviews

Predictable, but with many non-predictable laughs.
Take a 'Brewster Millions' plot, add two charming actors/actresses, and you expect a cute film that whiles away a few hours on a Suturday night. Surprisingly, I got a lot more laughs out of 'The Bachelor' than I expected. A pleasant surprise! Not one to get excited about, but a pleasant waste of time.

Brooke Shields is hilarious in this!

When I first saw this film nearly ten years ago, I wasn't familiar with any of its cast (excepting Peter Ustinov of course), but I had been drawn to a very funny clip I saw where the lead male character was being chased and hunted down by what looked liked literally hundreds of women - dressed as brides, and this looked extremely funny. This stuck in my mind, and I thought this might be fun to see and so I bought the Video!

This movie is a little slow in getting going, and the intro. is not that good - perhaps even a bit too silly to be funny, but I would suggest 'sticking with it' as there are some really funny scenes in this, and as previously mentioned; the scene with the hoards of brides is absolutely hilarious! The best scene by far though, being the wedding that 'almost' happens to Brooke Shields - she is brilliantly funny in this!

Not a laugh a minute, but certainly has some good fun moments!

Got A Few Spare Hours? Check This Out!
Although 'The Bachelor' was given very poor reviews and slammed by the critics on its release in 2000, i personally think that its not a bad movie. Ok it isn't the best comedy out there, but it does have some good moments and is a way to spend a few spare hours watching.

Jimmy is the typical male; he doesn't want to settle down just yet and tie the knot because he's happy doing what he is doing; basically, he's afraid. This changes however when he meets the lovely Anne and after a year or two of being together he finally decides to pop the big question. He takes her to the 'Starlight Rooms' the place where everyone purposes to their wife and just as he is about to ask her, that feeling of uncertainty creeps in and he makes an absolute bodge of it and she leaves the next day on a photography assignment.

He also finds out the next day that his grandfather has died and finds out that the only way that he can receive his hundred million dollar inheritance is to marry before his 30th birthday, which unfortunately happens to be the following day! He now has twenty four hours to find himself a bride so that he can get his grandfathers money. How far will he go and what will Anne have to say about it?

Overall, 'The bachelor' is quite a nice film with some good acting and quite a few genuinely funny moments that make it a perfect movie to whittle away a few spare hours and dosen't require too much brain. Worth a watch.