The Accidental Husband

As statuesque and talented an actress as Uma Thurman is, her looks and comedic timing couldn’t save “The Accidental Husband” from being a bland, predictable romantic comedy. In essence, it is an old fairy tale dressed up in modern times.

Uma plays EMMA, a successful relationship expert with a radio talk show engaged to the equally conservative and predictable RICHARD (Colin Firth) a publishing executive. DR. EMMA’s theories on relationships and love gets turned inside out when she and RICHARD go to get a marriage license, only to find out that she is “accidentally” married to Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

Unknown to EMMA, the marriage is no computer glitch. It is actually PATRICK’s way of getting revenge against the woman he feels is responsible for ruining his life by convincing his fiancée to break up with him the week of his own wedding.

As EMMA seeks to resolve the “glitch” by getting PATRICK to sign a stack of papers for an annulment, he decides to have fun disrupting her perfectly ordered world with his boisterous and colorful personality. EMMA finds herself drawn to PATRICK’s charms and PATRICK is surprised to discover real feelings for the woman he previously despised.

By turning DR. EMMA’s theories on love upside down, the film sends the message that true love is unpredictable and that passionate feelings for another wins over practical matters like long-term compatibility. It solidifies the fairy-tale of waiting for your “Prince Charming” to sweep you off your feet.

This film is mild by Hollywood standards, but, from a biblical view, there were several moral offenses. Profanity is scattered throughout the film, and the name of the Lord is taken in vain a few times. There is drinking at a bar to the point of getting drunk; a teenage boy illegally hacks into a government computer system; and a couple lives together unmarried. The one scene with characters having sex only revealed the male’s bare chest, but was viewed from outside the bedroom window. Technically, the couple having intercourse was legally married.

Real love, the God-kind, is no accident. God’s love plans, prepares and pursues to the end. God’s love is not chaotic and does not cause pain, turmoil, or confusion like an accident can.

So, what does the Bible have to say about finding real love or the perfect mate? Proverbs 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife (or spouse in some translations) finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 31 gives a great illustration of a virtuous wife. And Ephesians chapter five gives us characteristics that we can look for in a potential mate. If considering a potential bride, ask yourself, “Does she display the growth potential or characteristics found in Proverbs 31? Does she display a humble character and submit to authority?” And if considering a potential husband, “Does he encourage you with the scriptures? Is he willing to sacrifice his own will and comfort to display his love for you as Christ does with the church?”

And, of course, you cannot forget to look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which gives us a clear depiction of what real love, is.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is simply a charming actor whose warmth transcends the screen. Despite that warmth, it did not generate any believable chemistry between he and Uma’s character. I did believe, however, the chemistry between EMMA and RICHARD. Colin Firth played the uptight publisher with great comedic timing and just enough vulnerability during the dramatic parts.

Overall, I do not recommend this movie, due to a poorly written story. The comedy was mildly amusing, and the bonus material on the DVD is even more bland than the movie.

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.