By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)
To be released on VOD and DVD on August 16th.
The movie Bachelors (formerly titled The Night Before) is a well-meaning tale about Aaron (Colin Egglesfield), a young self-styled Casanova, who thinks he can continue his single but swinging lifestyle without consequences. When his best friend Sean (Drew Fuller) is ready to tie the knot, Aaron hopes to rescue him by having a bachelor party to remind him about all that is great about being a free wheeler. However, the night is not about debauchery. In Aaron’s opening narrative, he reveals how much he adores Kayla (Anna Hutchison), a lady he recently met. The feelings they have for each other is starting to bubble in a good way and the real plot centres around this boy’s insecurities.
This narrative takes a side step when Aaron is preparing for a night of fun for Sean. Together, with old school mates — Floyd (Chris Owen), Harold (Kirk Zipfel), Stanley (Gary Owen), Jesse (Joel Rush), Gus (David Faustino) and Miles (Brian White) — reuniting to indulge in a bit of pleasure, the night is going to be eye-opening in more ways than one. Reveals are made: Floyd was never quite in control of his life and marriage (it’s at his home that the fun takes place) and Jessie is a gangster on the run. Harold and Stanley were less developed as characters.
The highlight of this film is with how the subplots work into teaching Aaron a few important lessons. While I can laugh at how Uncle Ulysses (Fred Willard) crashes the party, he is actually the wise old man arriving to impart smart words to those willing to listen. He’s kind of like Uncle Buck and is a representation of what Aaron can become if he does not start to man up. That is, to take responsibility.
Faustino has never lost his comic touch since his Married with Children days. Humour and gravitas exist in every character (even animated) he plays. In this film, Gus feels tormented over what he hoped to be — a professional hockey player — but never became. Instead, he’s a sports coach. There’s a bit of conflict between him and Miles (the pro hockey player), and just how this subplot resolves itself nicely shows how everyone can win.
This film delivers great positive messages. It shows that no matter what the self-rooted fear is, anyone can overcome it with the right support. Being lonely does not have to happen. In this film’s case, life is like a box of chocolates. Take a chance and just bite into that mystery candy. Everyone has to make a leap of faith in order to reach the other side. Just what exists on the other side can lead to success as long as you are not afraid.
3 Stars out of 5
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