It’s almost always funny when the subject of a surprise party belts the person who planned the party in the eye the moment they’re shocked with the shout of “SURPRISE!”
“I guess those cardio kick-boxing lessons paid off!” another guest at the party might say, as more than one does in the propose-during-a-surprise-party rom-com “Surprise!”
“Surprise!” is a comedy of spoiled surprises, dashed-expectations, complications that range from silly to serious all served up by a cast that enlarges every time the damned doorbell rings.
Good God, it’s cluttered.
Director and co-writer Nate Hapke turns up in the cast as the most insufferable guest at this awkward fete filled with sibling rivarry, competing agendas and scheming support groups trying to “help” our prespective bride and groom figure out what’s going on and whether or not it’s a good idea.
There are little moments that amuse — the would-be bride Jane (Melanie Thompson) landing that haymaker on her suitor, party-planner and ring-offerer Ethan (Bryce Harrow).
The complications are way over the top. Ethan has a total of three brothers — by a couple of different mothers. Jane’s got two siblings who each take their shot at stealing her “special day” from her, if only by accident.
Ethan’s older brother Mack (Rob Harrow) resents little brother Ethan one-upping him, and securing granny’s ring to propose with. So he shows up with a dizzy pixie named Ashleigh (Jamie Miller) instead of the longtime love Ashley (Charlie Carr), who also shows up, but with “Rebound Roger” (Justin Sorvillo).
Virginal younger brother Clark (Aaron Sanders) is assigned to photograph everyone and every “moment” and lusts after every woman in the party as he does. Older brother Walt (Lee Shorten) may be here to save the day, or at least drag a chihuahua from the rescue group he works for to foist on Jane as a birthday gift.
Cait (Marissa Hood) is gay, flying solo today for reasons unknown and is the first to sense that “something is up.”
Because Ethan hasn’t tipped anybody but his siblings that he’s going to propose. He hasn’t even gotten the basic go-ahead to pursue this idea of “marriage” from Jane.
Once Jane’s posse has their suspicions, Ethan’s brothers want to know what they know, and vice versa.
Other guests are in the dark as all this lame “intel gathering” goes on.
And what better way to top the day off than by having Granny come by and throw another monkey wrench into Ethan’s plans?
Serious issues like Dad’s string of faithless marriages — “We all turn into our parents eventually.” — mix with the trivial as the doorbell and phone keep ringing as this ex drops in, that happy couple shows up newly-engaged or another one announces they’re “expecting.”
Any combination of five or so of these disparate threads could have been teased into something funny.
Hapke & Co. keep piling on ideas and characters who might have a promising moment, a quirky character trait worth indulging or developing into something funny.
A “How seriously should ANYbody take Bon Jovi?” running gag shows promise.
“Hey, NO ONE understands the human heart like JBJ!”
But the screenplay never gets past that “workshop this into something sharper” stage, and the many players never transcend that “promising introduction” that their characters are given.
Rating: unrated, PG-ish
Cast: Melanie Thompson, Bryce Harrow, Marissa Hood, Rob Harrow, Charlie Carr, Aaron Sanders, Nate Hapke, Jamie Miller, Lee Shorten
Credits: Directed by Nate Hapke, scripted by Nate Hapke and Rosie Grace. A Freestyle release.
Running time: 1:31
