Fans have just days to watch 'favourite ever rom-com' before it's axed by BBC

Daily Record

10-06-2025

Starring Katherine Heigl, the queen of rom-coms, the blockbuster is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, but only until June 16.
If you like romantic comedies, chances are, you've heard of 27 Dresses.
It's the 2008 rom-com directed by Anne Fletcher that sees Katherine Heigl take the reins as the film's leading lady.
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A bridesmaid for 27 weddings but never the bride, Jane Nichols (Heigl) is always putting others first, especially her younger sister, Tess. So when Tess decides to get married to Jane's boss, also the man our leading lady has secretly loved forever, Jane must grapple with all the emotions and drama that entails.
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That is until she meets Kevin (James Marsden), a cynical wedding journalist who challenges Jane and her beliefs. What follows are achingly familiar rom-com tropes that somehow just work, as Jane tries to find love and her happily ever after.
With a screenplay penned by Aline Brosh McKenna, the film also stars Malin Åkerman, Edward Burns, Melora Hardin, Maulik Pancholy, and Judy Greer — rounding out a stellar supporting cast. 27 Dresses is available to stream on BBC iPlayer for the next seven days.
The film was a huge success, grossing $162.7 million at the worldwide box-office against a $30 million budget. However, it received mixed reviews from critics upon its release.
While one reviewer said: 'Hugely enjoyable, frequently funny romantic comedy with a superb script and a terrific central performance from Katherine Heigl.'
Another critic acknowledged the film's lack of originality, yet felt it was a good watch: 'Something old, something borrowed... but still an assured, perfectly decent popcorn pleaser that sees the limber, likeable Heigl consolidate her Knocked Up lustre. Add sparky his/her chemistry and you've got a well-turned-out chick flick.'
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Praise for Heigl ran abound, with one critic writing: 'It really is Heigl's film, and she sells both the enthusiasm of someone high on the brilliant potential of love and versed in combatting the barbs of cynicism.'
However not all were left impressed: 'What a maddening waste of Katherine Heigl this insipid romantic comedy is.'
Audience reviews proved to be a mixed bag as well, with one viewer writing: 'Without a doubt my favourite rom com! Lighthearted and fun with a great soundtrack. Heigl and Marsden are great together! Many laughs!'
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While another wrote: 'This movie is one of my favourite movies now. I love everything about this movie. I wish there were still movies like this. The romcom and set up of this whole story line is amazing and the choices for the actors/actresses was amazing as well.'
And although some weren't too taken with the film's premise: 'Boring. Seen this type of tripe too many times to have anything good to say about it.'
Others thought 27 Dresses has stood the test of time: 'I've seen this movie more times than I can count. This may very well be the last great rom-com made. I'm glad it has aged so well!!'
27 Dresses is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer till June 16. It's also available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.