Review: ‘And Mrs’ is a Fun Take on an Unplanned Version of Happily Ever After

Everyone has a different idea of what a future with someone else holds, and attitudes may shift as new relationships develop. Getting on the same page can be important for ensuring a romance’s longevity, and having different priorities, timelines, and desires can potentially cause problems. And Mrs tells the unexpectedly uplifting story of one woman who thought she had plenty of time left to decide what she wanted but is forced to chart a new path when life throws her an unfortunate curveball.

Gemma (Aisling Bea) is preparing to marry her fiancé Nathan (Colin Hanks) but returns home to find him dead in their bed. As Gemma grapples with the sudden loss of her young, healthy partner, she finally meets his eternally absent sister Audrey (Billie Lourd), who missed out on multiple planned visits to see her brother and whose vibe isn’t what Gemma needs in this difficult and uncertain time. But Gemma decides that she does want to marry Nathan after all, even after death, setting in motion an uphill battle to gain permission for something unusual that most in her immediate orbit believe isn’t a healthy way of coping with this loss.

There have been many comedies about weddings gone awry and those who try to make them work in a creative way, with We Broke Up and The Wedding Plan as two standout examples. This film makes its mark by introducing just a little bit of Nathan to audiences before his untimely demise and then getting to know him more through flashbacks and imagined conversations that a distraught Gemma has as she prepares for moments they were supposed to share together. It’s hard not to find Nathan endearing, though it’s also not clear whether the version being portrayed is authentically him, or just what Gemma would like to think he might be like in this impossible situation where he’s no longer there.

What makes this premise work is that Gemma is pursuing something with all her passion that she never wanted in the first place. It’s one of the reasons that her family and friends work to convince her that she has to stop this madness (their sentiments) because it just doesn’t feel like her. Audrey’s presence is at first undeniably chaotic, but she soon becomes a forceful ally for her future sister-in-law since she has always gone against the grain and not cared what anyone thinks of her and her plans. Getting to know Gemma is a way for her to make up for the fractured relationship she had with her brother, and it’s a sweet if bumpy journey for two people who are not at all alike.

Bea, who will be known to American audiences for her roles in the TV series Living with Yourself and This Way Up, is perfectly cast as Gemma, bringing a visible irritation to many of her interactions and slowly softening over time as she begins to attach to an idea that previously would have made her want to vomit (or at least say it would). Hanks plays something very close to his father Tom’s nice guy routine, and he fits the part just as well. Lourd’s turn is looser but appropriately so, since she’s meant to rattle everyone and add a little American messiness to this London-set story.

Supporting performances from Susan Wokoma, Sinéad Cusack, Peter Egan, Samuel Barnett, and Harriet Walter enliven an ensemble that successfully keeps the comedy light with just enough seriousness to ensure that it remains grounded. It’s an enjoyable experience that packs a surprising emotional punch, depicting a make-the-best-of-it situation that audiences will surely hope never to live for themselves but will likely very much enjoy watching.

Movie Rating: 7/10

Awards Buzz: This is a fun film that would certainly merit an acting nomination from some organization for a typically great Bea, but its comedy nature isn’t likely to attract that kind of attention.