SOME MINOR SPOILERS (REGARDING THE PLOT - NOT WHAT HAPPENS)!

"The Bachelor"

Chris O'Donnell stars with Renee Zellweger in the 1999 remake `The Bachelor,' a film about `the true meaning of love.'

Jimmie Shannon (O'Donnell) is your average 29-year-old bachelor: he doesn't want to let the good times come to a stop. But after he is pushed by friends to propose to his girlfriend Anne (Zellweger), he does so, and accidentally says some regrettable things in the proposal line (`You win!').

After a fuming Anne refuses to respond to any of Jimmie's calls in the days to come, Jimmie comes to a realization that the relationship is over. And then it happens. His grandfather passes away, leaving 100 million dollars to Jimmie. What's the catch, you ask?

He must find a wife in twenty-seven hours to get the money.

And so, the game is on, as Jimmie proposes to all his old girlfriends, including Ilana (Mariah Carey), Daphne (Jennifer Esposito), Buckley (Brooke Shields), but before all them, a re-proposal to an ever-softened Anne, who realizes before saying `Yes' that Jimmie is not ready to get married.

`The Bachelor' is a remake of `Personal,' `How a French Nobleman Got a Wife Through the 'New York Herald' Personal Columns,' `Meet Me at the Fountain,' and `Seven Chances,' all of which I have not seen. Therefore, I have nothing to base my review on. Also, therefore, I enjoyed this film. It may be a bit odd at times, especially the end, but overall it is just fun. It is a good escapism film where one can sit back, relax, and forget their worries.

Chris O'Donnell may not be a great actor, but he pulled off Jimmie Shannon enough to not raise any eyebrows.

I found Renee Zellweger to be quite good as Anne, providing a typical `woman moment,' when she, after Jimmie makes an awful proposal to her, grabs some food and hogs down.

James Cromwell is best as `The Priest,' who Jimmie carries around all day to perform a marriage on the spot. I love the deadpan expressions Cromwell carries throughout the whole film, until the end, where he finally speaks to Jimmie about love.

`The Bachelor' may not have the greatest character development, and the end was a bit more than odd (too much so to call it `original'); but I still enjoyed the film. At its heart lies a refreshingly fun comedy with a disclaimer: `Please detach brains before viewing.')

Dumb fun. Nothing less, nothing more.

3/5 stars –

John Ulmer

Chris O'Donnell has a certain appeal. For me, it's his facial expressions. He is the master at portraying reactions by a mild mannered "everyman" overwhelmed by immediate circumstances.

Rene Zellwegger was a mildly cute Texas girl-next-door several years before this one. In this one, set in San Francisco, her Texas accent and tomboyish outrage is not appealing.But she is supposed to be a fed-up girlfriend, so I guess she does it well.

I envied the main character. How great would it be to look like him, have a guaranteed easy job for life at a pool table manufacturer in San Francisco, owned by his own family, and then inherit a bunch of money? I've met guys like that, who cruise along in "auto-pilot" with their looks, casual demeanor, and money.

The sidekick character played by Artie Lang was so over-the-top obnoxious! I couldn't take it. That's his real life personality, so he wasn't acting. It was also excruciating to see classic actors like Ed Asner and Hal Holbrook play old fools in a romantic comedy for young people. It seemed degrading.

I loved the imagery of single men being lassoed by a cowboy rope as symbolic of being trapped by the need to marry.

I also thought the famous thousand brides scene was well done. I particularly liked the initial part of it at the church, when Chris is answering their questions about his preferences.

Brooke Shields looks old and hard. Don't expect much, although she played her role well.

I thought there was just the right amount of character development. You don't want too much in a RomCom. If you can stand Artie Lang,give this picture a viewing on a rainy day.

In San Francisco, Jimmie Shannon (Chris O'Donnell) is a confirmed bachelor. When he meets the independent Anne Arden (Renée Zellweger), she becomes his girlfriend along three years. Meanwhile each of his friends get married and Jimmie decides to propose Anne to marry him. They go to a fancy restaurant but the clumsy Jimmie get into trouble when he unintentionally offends her. Anne decides to travel to Greece bur she changes her idea and travels to her parents´ home with her sister Natalie Arden (Marley Shelton). Meanwhile Jimmie´s grandfather James Shannon (Peter Ustinov) dies. His friend and lawyer shows a videotape where James tells that Jimmie must be married until 6:00 PM on his 30th birthday to inherit one hundred million dollars. But his birthday is one the next day and Jimmie believes Anne is in Greece. Now his only chance is to find one ex-girlfriend that accepts to marry him. Will he be well succeeded?

"The Bachelor" is an absolutely underrated comedy, with an entertaining and delightful story based on a play. The situations Jimmie Shannon gets in with his ex are hilarious. The final scene when he is chased through the streets of San Francisco by hundreds of brides is unforgettable. Renée Zellweger is very sweet in the role of Anne Arden. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Procura-se Uma Noiva" ("A Bride Wanted")