27 DRESSES
A clever chick-flick gem, but for discerning adults only.
Should You Watch It?
27 DRESSES earns its four-star entertainment rating. It is clever, funny, and loaded with drama, and the script and acting make Jane’s pain feel real. The movie’s flaws are not pervasive, but they are still significant for families seeking clean entertainment.
The film begins with a woman whose servant’s heart shapes her work and relationships. It then encourages her to become more selfish, while also including vulgar humor, alcohol, and one regretted sexual encounter outside marriage. Those choices could have been left out.
So, if you are a discerning adult who can weigh those elements without harm to your conscience, this is worth watching. For children and young teens, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESJane is a highly efficient executive assistant who practically works as a free wedding planner. She loves being a bridesmaid and owns 27 bridesmaid’s dresses.
Her carefully organized life becomes complicated when her younger sister visits and catches the attention of Jane’s boss, the man Jane secretly loves. Then Jane meets Kevin, a society-page writer who covers glamorous weddings. As the pressures around work, family, romance, and service build, Jane must face what she truly wants.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this film is a genuine entertainment success despite its content problems. The script is clever, and the acting is good enough to make viewers feel Jane’s pain acutely. The movie balances drama and humor effectively, making it an engaging romantic comedy.
Its flaws are clear but not pervasive. Vulgar humor and immoral behavior keep the film from being good clean fun for a much larger audience. Still, the source review finds the movie far less vulgar than some other ultra-vulgar comedies of its time.
The Worldview
27 DRESSES begins with a notably unselfish heroine. Jane is extraordinarily helpful at work and has served as a bridesmaid for 27 brides. Her friends, however, tell her that she is too much of a servant and encourage her to become more selfish. The movie ultimately tends to side with that change rather than affirming her original servant’s heart.
Jane jokes, “I’m Jesus.” The comment is an improper use of Jesus’ name, though the context suggests that she enjoys serving others rather than claiming holiness. The film also presents a scene of rowdy drunken behavior leading to implied fornication, but the behavior is treated as wrong and regretted the next morning. Some dishonesty is condemned and punished.
The film’s central question is whether a person should live mainly for others or become more self-focused. Scripture honors humble service, while also calling for wisdom and self-control: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light Romantic worldview with featured character being “good” where protagonist main character begins movie remarkably unselfish being ultra helpful at work and with 27 brides for whom she served as a helpful bridesmaid; People give her a hard time about being too much of a servant and she jokes, “I’m Jesus” (the comment implies that she has a servant’s heart, like Jesus), but throughout the movie she is encouraged to be more selfish; 10 obscenities and one questionable use of the name Jesus (see above); no violence; one scene of rowdy drunken behavior leading to implied fornication which is regretted the next morning; several scenes of dressing and undressing with little more than shoulders and legs shown; alcohol use and drunkenness; no smoking; and, some dishonesty condemned and punished.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Jane begins as an exceptionally helpful person but is encouraged to become more selfish. How can you serve others without ignoring wisdom, honesty, or your own responsibilities?
Philippians 2:3–4 · Galatians 6:5Jane jokes, “I’m Jesus,” in connection with serving others. Why should Christians treat Jesus’ name with reverence?
Exodus 20:7 · Matthew 6:9The film shows drunken behavior and sex outside marriage, followed by regret. How are regret and repentance different, and what does genuine repentance look like?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · 1 John 1:9Some dishonesty is condemned and punished in the story. Why does Scripture connect truthfulness with faithful living?
Ephesians 4:25 · Proverbs 12:22The Final Word
27 DRESSES is clever, funny, and emotionally engaging, but its vulgarity, drunkenness, sexual immorality, and movement toward selfishness make it unsuitable for children and young teens. Discerning adults may find the four-star entertainment worth the tradeoff. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other options, see.
