As I am not an active member of The Mormon Church, and not the target demographic, my opinion does have a more outside perspective. When it comes to this movie, it was nice seeing those cultural references, but that doesn't make it good. The plot was not very investing, especially comparing to the first movie in the franchise, I wasn't really emotionally connected to Bree as a character, the set up was nice, but I feel she was kind of static and flat point of view. I wish they showed more of the effect that the bumps in Bree's and Thys's relationship had on her. And the faith that took. It felt like there was no real struggle breaking it off, also I found it odd she didn't describe the faith that took. Especially considering its a religious movie. Also, this was a stretch, but there was a moment between Lane and Bree felt like it was referring to Lane having feelings for Bree. I may be biased, since I am a member of the Lgbtqia+ and Mormon community, but I felt like this scene kind of queer-baited me and some of the other people I went to the film with. But overall, it was okayyy, if you're mormon you'll find it moderately good, but overall, I would recommend the first movie over this one any day.
6 Reviews
Storyline 🚫 Casting
ordways78 January 2024
Casting: A 35 yr. Old (geriatric pregnancy) as a college student? From the first scene, I was wondering, how old is this "college student"? (IMDB = 35) It would be fine to cast the same people in a different setting, Not College. Or, get younger actors to portray kids.
New title: Mid-Singles Ward, it's finally happening! (It's never too late, a decade after the Mission and college = Love and Marriage)
A time waster movie. Not a great plot. But, may semi-entertain you if you don't have anything better to do. It's at least not offensive by any means. Just a little bland. Watched for free on Tubi.
New title: Mid-Singles Ward, it's finally happening! (It's never too late, a decade after the Mission and college = Love and Marriage)
A time waster movie. Not a great plot. But, may semi-entertain you if you don't have anything better to do. It's at least not offensive by any means. Just a little bland. Watched for free on Tubi.
Smorgasbord of Cringe
kabucky19 August 2021
Where to start? This film has the unfortunate trifecta of corny, cliche, and cringe. Hardly fertile ground for even well written plots to grab a foothold on one's interest. Unfortunately this script wreaked of one dimension caricatures masquerading as having depth.
The corny? Unlikeable main characters that have playdoh facial expressions and squeaky, nails on chalkboard voices. It didn't help that the yuckity-yuck fiancé's family somehow makes Andy Griffith seem less white bread.
The cliche? No Mormon trope went unused and it was exhausting to watch. Think Ned Flanders on Prozac. Most insulting was how Hawaii and Polynesians were used as props. There was no attempt to bring complexity into what could have been endearing characters.
The cringe? It's hard to describe. I'll put it like this, the Wayans brothers must've gotten their material for White Chicks from Utah Mormon actors because the faces, the voices, the relationship drama is pretty spot on. The only difference is the Wayans knew they were handing out cotton candy, whereas this movie actually believes it's serving a feast. Word to the wise, skip this meal it'll give you a stomach ache.
The corny? Unlikeable main characters that have playdoh facial expressions and squeaky, nails on chalkboard voices. It didn't help that the yuckity-yuck fiancé's family somehow makes Andy Griffith seem less white bread.
The cliche? No Mormon trope went unused and it was exhausting to watch. Think Ned Flanders on Prozac. Most insulting was how Hawaii and Polynesians were used as props. There was no attempt to bring complexity into what could have been endearing characters.
The cringe? It's hard to describe. I'll put it like this, the Wayans brothers must've gotten their material for White Chicks from Utah Mormon actors because the faces, the voices, the relationship drama is pretty spot on. The only difference is the Wayans knew they were handing out cotton candy, whereas this movie actually believes it's serving a feast. Word to the wise, skip this meal it'll give you a stomach ache.
Bad. Just bad.
riahzajane2 July 2022
No big message as in "Beehive" but lots of small messages -
sheldonlinda25 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
From - Wed, Aug 25, 2021, 1:12 AM
Quick rough draft - didn't check the spelling of names. - Includes spoilers
Cute, but you could see the ending from the very beginning of the film. You could also see the engagement before it happened. There wasn't one big punching serious message that came at the end as in its predecessor "Once I was a Beehive" but several little messages along the way. At first I felt cheated snd disappointef that I didn't get the well written, well acted, well edited message that "Beehive" gave, but on second reflection I thought about all of the small hidden messages - aka the proverbial "red flags" that people on the outside of someone's relationship are amazed that those on the inside somehow missed. When "Carrie" tells her children that it is not OK to propose in public, she is really saying that someone who is considerate of your feelings would have more sensitivity than to put you on the spot like that and would keep a private moment, a private discussion private - and sacred. "Thys" not doing that was one of the first red flags - especially going against the previous agreement to break up at the end of the semester - publicly going against it. He also didn't show consderation for her mission. Later his applying to business school in Provo without telling her didn't take into consideration her plans. Oh and taking the other girl to the same restaurant - Hello. Stalling on letting the other girl know that he was in a relationship wasn't cool either. Answers don't always come when and how they are expected. Sometimes it is as inconvenient as the night before your wedding.
The lessons that were at the end could have been drawn out a bit more and been more obvious - they were a bit quick, but really they were lessons that had all ready been taught.
"Once I was a Beehive" was funny with the incredible pacing of just enough serious added in. Writer McClain Nelson's other film "The Saratov Approach" was serious with just the right amount of comic relief. Again, the pacing of "Once I was Engaged" followed it's own formula but I thought that it still worked, others may not think so though.
Crazy that actress Claire Nederplum. (Sp?) is actually in her early thirties.
The film was falsely advertised as Paris Warner - star of "Beehive" being in it more than she was - ditto her "Beehive" Co star Mia Smith (the anxiety ridden girl with the dog.)
Special recognition needs to go to Lisa Valentine Clark for being able to shoot this film directly prior or following the death of her husband. Maybe it worked for the character showing an uncomfortablness and distracted distance in the on screen husband.
Interesting to see Tim Threfell and Pam Eichner back together playing husband and wife as they did in "One Good Man." You could see their friendship and comfortablness with one another. He oddly aged though and she didn't.
And who in the LDS cinema world doesn't totally love Barta Heiner? She's a most unappreciated gem.
The one twist at the end was similar to "Return to Me" and the British "Jack and Sarah" where we do see a wedding at the end, but just not the one that we are expecting to see. And in all Mormon frugality a relief to see that all of the over the top decorations and food were not wasted.
And, we still got to see the bride in her wedding dress. (I wonder if it was her real dress from when she married McClain?)
Again, just as it isn't fair to compare the film to the book or the stage play but to judge them on their own merits don't do that with sequels. Each is going to emphasize and focus on different things.
Oh and who is not want to go to BYU Hawaii now? I would almost be willing to take the vaccine in order to do so.
Quick rough draft - didn't check the spelling of names. - Includes spoilers
Cute, but you could see the ending from the very beginning of the film. You could also see the engagement before it happened. There wasn't one big punching serious message that came at the end as in its predecessor "Once I was a Beehive" but several little messages along the way. At first I felt cheated snd disappointef that I didn't get the well written, well acted, well edited message that "Beehive" gave, but on second reflection I thought about all of the small hidden messages - aka the proverbial "red flags" that people on the outside of someone's relationship are amazed that those on the inside somehow missed. When "Carrie" tells her children that it is not OK to propose in public, she is really saying that someone who is considerate of your feelings would have more sensitivity than to put you on the spot like that and would keep a private moment, a private discussion private - and sacred. "Thys" not doing that was one of the first red flags - especially going against the previous agreement to break up at the end of the semester - publicly going against it. He also didn't show consderation for her mission. Later his applying to business school in Provo without telling her didn't take into consideration her plans. Oh and taking the other girl to the same restaurant - Hello. Stalling on letting the other girl know that he was in a relationship wasn't cool either. Answers don't always come when and how they are expected. Sometimes it is as inconvenient as the night before your wedding.
The lessons that were at the end could have been drawn out a bit more and been more obvious - they were a bit quick, but really they were lessons that had all ready been taught.
"Once I was a Beehive" was funny with the incredible pacing of just enough serious added in. Writer McClain Nelson's other film "The Saratov Approach" was serious with just the right amount of comic relief. Again, the pacing of "Once I was Engaged" followed it's own formula but I thought that it still worked, others may not think so though.
Crazy that actress Claire Nederplum. (Sp?) is actually in her early thirties.
The film was falsely advertised as Paris Warner - star of "Beehive" being in it more than she was - ditto her "Beehive" Co star Mia Smith (the anxiety ridden girl with the dog.)
Special recognition needs to go to Lisa Valentine Clark for being able to shoot this film directly prior or following the death of her husband. Maybe it worked for the character showing an uncomfortablness and distracted distance in the on screen husband.
Interesting to see Tim Threfell and Pam Eichner back together playing husband and wife as they did in "One Good Man." You could see their friendship and comfortablness with one another. He oddly aged though and she didn't.
And who in the LDS cinema world doesn't totally love Barta Heiner? She's a most unappreciated gem.
The one twist at the end was similar to "Return to Me" and the British "Jack and Sarah" where we do see a wedding at the end, but just not the one that we are expecting to see. And in all Mormon frugality a relief to see that all of the over the top decorations and food were not wasted.
And, we still got to see the bride in her wedding dress. (I wonder if it was her real dress from when she married McClain?)
Again, just as it isn't fair to compare the film to the book or the stage play but to judge them on their own merits don't do that with sequels. Each is going to emphasize and focus on different things.
Oh and who is not want to go to BYU Hawaii now? I would almost be willing to take the vaccine in order to do so.
A breath of fresh air from the traditional summer movie stockpile!
kbhunt-949703 August 2021
This film is red meat for members and friends of the Church of Jesus of Latter-Day Saints, (Mormons). It features both the cultural and ecclesiastical lexicon of the faith, in a playful but respectful way. It shows how wholesome and clean-cut members of the church can be as they deal with the secular issues of planning a wedding on short notice, between two families who live 3000 miles apart and whose personal prosperity is lightyears apart.
See also
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