I Do (But I Don't)

I Do (But I Don't) is a 2004^[1] American made-for-television romantic comedy film starring Denise Richards, Dean Cain, Karen Cliche, Olivia Palenstein and Mimi Kuzyk. It was directed by Kelly Makin and written by Cara Lockwood and Eric C. Charmelo. The film is based on the Cara Lockwood romance novel of the same name.

I Do (But I Don't)
Based on	I Do (But I Don't) by Cara Lockwood
Teleplay by	Eric C. Charmelo (as Eric Charmelo) Nicole Snyder
Directed by	Kelly Makin
Starring	Denise Richards Dean Cain Karen Cliche Jessica Walter
Music by	Danny Lux
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producers	Jane Goldenring Randy Sutter
Cinematography	Serge Ladouceur
Editor	Micky Blythe
Production companies	Ira Pincus Films Von Zerneck-Sertner Films
Budget	97 minutes
Original release
Network	Lifetime
Release	September 13, 2004 (2004-09-13)

Plot

Junior wedding planner Lauren Crandell is assigned a wedding for Darla Tedanski, the daughter of a prominent family. Lauren's boss Gennifer "G" promises her a long overdue promotion if she does well.

The next day, Lauren meets quirky, hunk firefighter Nick Corina when he rescues a groom from a failed "grand entrance." She feels an immediate attraction, but when Lauren accidentally meets Nick again that night, she sees Darla hanging on him. Yes, when she checks, Darla's groom is "James Nicholas Corina." She tries to forget Nick and focus on Darla's wedding plans while a bridal magazine interviews G, who takes sole credit for all their weddings - for which Lauren has done most of the work. Darla turns out to be a "Bridezilla", a controlling, egotistical child of privilege who has lost perspective about her wedding day. Lauren's main relief is the humour and camaraderie of Mark, Darla's long-suffering, overtly gay aide.

That night, Lauren's mother Cookie invites Lauren and Lauren's one-year-separated husband Brad to dinner. Not knowing Brad cheated on Lauren, Cookie wants Lauren to give the marriage a second chance, but all Lauren wants is for Brad to stop stalling and sign the divorce papers she sent him weeks ago.

Cast

• Denise Richards as Lauren Crandall
• Dean Cain as Nick Corina
• Karen Cliche as Darla Tedanski
• Olivia Palenstein as Bonnie
• Mimi Kuzyk as Cookie Crandall
• Yannick Bisson as James "Jay" Corina
• Barry Julien as Mark Stewart
• David Lipper as Brad
• Jessica Walter as Gennifer Douglas
• Bruce Dinsmore as Robert
• Tim Rozon as Rick Corina
• Lisa Bronwyn Moore as Interviewer

Reception

Variety said, "Sugary sweet and full of eye candy, 'I Do (But I Don't)' tries hard to hark back to the days when men and women in films meet cute, have a series of silly misunderstandings that put the kibosh on the budding relationship and then meet even cuter to reconcile. In this day of omnipresent email and cell phones, the conceit is a stretch, but Lifetime devotees should find the telepic an amusing trifle with which to spend the night."^[2] It concluded "what holds the movie together are the smaller moments — seemingly targeted toward the Lifetime aud — that connect the broader slapstick."^[2]

References

1. Nusair, David (June 14, 2008). "I Do (But I Don't) (June 14/08)". Reel Film. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
2. Donahue, Ann (September 10, 2004). "I Do (But I Don't)". Variety. Retrieved 17 April 2023.

External links

• I Do (But I Don't) at Lifetime
• I Do (But I Don't) at IMDb
• I Do (But I Don't) at Rotten Tomatoes