See Jane Date Movie Review

Hey, it's a movie about a hot girl who can't meet the right guy! I've never heard of such an original premise before!

The improbably proportioned Charisma Carpenter takes the lead role in this by-the-numbers romantic comedy, which only plays lip service to the comedy part of the equation and nearly ignores the romance part completely. The bulk of the movie (made for TV and now arriving on DVD with no extras sans the removal of its commercials) actually involves Jane's career: She's an assistant editor tasked with editing the memoirs of a soap opera diva (Holly Marie Combs) who was her highschool rival. Turns out the diva's got money to burn but a wrecked personal life, including a dad that won't speak with her for reasons that are never made clear.

Meanwhile she's also got a (gasp!) wedding to go to, and no date to take. Enter the procession of misfits and freaks into Jane's life. Will she ever find a boyfriend, or even someone to take to the wedding?

This is all mostly harmless, as befits an ABC Family network production, but the material is so cliched it offers absolutely nothing new for the viewer. Carpenter's quirky performance at least makes the film possible to sit through without commiting suicide, and decent production values and a capable supporting cast help matters a bit. This is hardly outstanding filmmaking -- and there are numerous better date movie options available -- but don't beat yourself up too much if you got talked into a rental.