It Had To Be You

[2002, Movie]

It Had To Be You: Review

Made for each other: Michael Vartan and Natasha Henstridge

Though lacking the star power of similar big-budget vehicles, this breezy, made-for-cable romantic comedy works its magic less strenuously than TWO WEEKS NOTICE (2002) or HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN TEN DAYS (2003). Ex-cop Charlie Hanson (Michael Vartan) never dreamed he'd be finalizing his wedding arrangements while his career-girl fiancee, Claire Parker (Joelle Carter), jetted off to London. Engaged schoolteacher Anna Penn (Natasha Henstridge), by contrast, is accustomed to her fiance's constant absences. Because both couples plan to wed in Manhattan, kismet lands out-of-towners Charlie and Anna at the Plaza Hotel over the same weekend. Charlie meets old buddy Henry Taylor (Michael Rispoli) for a catch-up session, and finds himself resenting Henry's implication that Claire isn't the right woman for him. Charlie keeps bumping into Anna and eventually decide to pool wedding-planning resources. Charlie hooks up Anna with disc jockey Bobby Love (Phil Stein), then the pair of them interview a priest who mistakes them for a couple. Charlie and Anna eventually discover that they had once lived and worked within a few New York City blocks of each. Meanwhile, without anyone realizing the connection, Henry picks up and falls for Anna's best friend (Olivia D'Abo). Then Claire shows up early and destiny changes direction — the original weddings must go on! Will Charlie and Anna have the guts to admit that they're made for each other or will they march down the aisle with mismatched spouses? This gossamer-thin, fated-to-be mated romantic frolic is an appealing meditation on the vagaries of finding one's soul mate that benefits from its idealized Manhattan settings. --Robert Pardi