The Wedding Ringer

Worried that he'll look like a chump at his forthcoming nuptials without a best man to give a speech, fat, friendless Josh Gad takes on the services of a fast-talking wedding "fixer". This situation comedy with a touch of "bromance" stars Kevin Hart as the resourceful wheeler-dealer posing as the groom's best mate from way back, with inevitable comedic consequences. The movie does well enough by its promising central conceit but it's a shame that the cast and film-makers don't make more of their material. Instead they fall for the easy options of vulgar set pieces (one party scene involving a plucky canine is simply indescribable) and tired gay-panic humour. As for Gad's role as the tubby guy who falls over a lot, it's unenviable to say the least. Hart works hard to keep the energy levels high, but though there are intermittent guffaws, charm is in short supply.