The Bachelor Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy needs a wife *immediately* or he’ll be poor, so he asks every woman he’s ever met if she’ll take one for the team, resulting in chaos and realizing love isn’t about money (but mostly is).

🍿 The Bachelor: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction and Initial Proposal

James ‘Jimmie’ Shannon III is a commitment-phobic bachelor enjoying life in San Francisco. His girlfriend, Anne, desires more stability and hints at marriage. Jimmie attempts a proposal at a crowded restaurant, but his unenthusiastic approach leads to Anne rejecting him and leaving town.

The Grandfather’s Will

Shortly after Anne’s departure, Jimmie learns that his grandfather has passed away and left him a substantial inheritance of $100 million. However, the will stipulates that Jimmie must be married by 6:05 PM on his 30th birthday, which is the very next day, to receive the money. Failure to comply will result in the loss of the inheritance and potential financial ruin for his family’s company.

The Search for a Bride

Desperate to meet the conditions of the will, Jimmie enlists the help of his friends to find a bride. He contacts several of his former girlfriends, attempting to convince them to marry him, offering the lure of shared wealth. These encounters are filled with comedic mishaps and rejections, as Jimmie struggles to find someone willing to marry him on such short notice.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jimmie (Chris O’Donnell): A commitment-phobic bachelor who must find a wife in 24 hours to inherit a large sum of money.
• Anne (Renée Zellweger): Jimmie’s fed-up girlfriend who questions his true feelings about marriage.
• Marco (Artie Lange): Jimmie’s best friend who assists him in his desperate search for a bride.
• Gluckman (Edward Asner): Gluckman is a character that provides support, advice, or guidance to the protagonist, Jimmie.
• Grandad (Peter Ustinov): Jimmie’s deceased grandfather whose will creates the inheritance challenge.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grandad: “Procreate!” – Grandad yells this through a megaphone at Jimmie, expressing his desire for Jimmie to continue the family line.
• Priest: “It’s a wonderful thing, as time goes by, to be with someone who looks into your face, when you’ve gotten old, and still sees what you think you look like.” – The Priest gives Jimmie this advice, helping him realize the importance of true love over wealth.
• Jimmie: “You win!” – Jimmie says this at the restaurant when proposing, implying he’s giving in to Anne’s desire for marriage, which is taken the wrong way.
• Buckley: “No Kids!” – Buckley dramatically exits the wedding after hearing about the requirement of having children.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $51,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $21,760,240
• Worldwide Gross: $36,911,617

💥 The Bachelor Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched this movie on a whim and I wasn’t expecting much, but honestly? It was kinda fun! Chris O’Donnell is charmingly awkward as the commitment-phobe, and Renée Zellweger is adorable as always. I definitely laughed a few times. The whole ‘running from a mob of brides’ scene is just pure silliness, but it’s also kinda iconic. Don’t go in expecting a masterpiece, but if you need a lighthearted, cheesy rom-com, this might do the trick. I actually kinda enjoyed seeing Brooke Shields and Mariah Carey in their cameo roles, they cracked me up. Overall, a fun, dumb movie night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick humor”
  • “Those looking for light-hearted entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive dialogue”
  • “Comedic depiction of relationship conflicts”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Critics lambasted ‘The Bachelor’ for its predictable plot and reliance on tired romantic comedy tropes. Many found Chris O’Donnell unconvincing in the lead role, and Renée Zellweger’s talents were deemed wasted. The film’s humor was considered flat, failing to deliver genuine laughs despite the farcical premise.
• IMDb: “While some audience members found ‘The Bachelor’ a lighthearted and enjoyable romp, many others criticized it for its weak script and uninspired performances. The film’s attempt at slapstick humor was often deemed ineffective, and the romantic connection between the leads lacked genuine spark. The movie is loosely inspired from the Buster Keaton ‘Seven Chances’.
• Metacritic: “Metacritic assigned a score of 26 out of 100 to the film based on 25 critics, indicating ‘generally unfavorable reviews’.

Audience Reactions

Many found the movie hilarious for its absurd scenarios and Chris O’Donnell’s comedic performance.: The movie delivers lighthearted humor and the cast has a great on-screen presence which engages viewers.

Brooke Shields’ brief appearance as Buckley was a highlight for many viewers and often seen as the best comedic bit.: Many agreed that her performance added a memorable and humorous dimension to the movie, making her scene the most memorable moment.

Overall Consensus: General consensus labels ‘The Bachelor’ as a lighthearted, if somewhat predictable, romantic comedy. Its humor is considered hit-or-miss, but it offers simple entertainment for those seeking a low-stakes movie night.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is a remake of the 1925 Buster Keaton silent film ‘Seven Chances’.”
• “Several of the brides chasing Jimmie at the end of the movie are male extras in drag.”
• “The ‘unedited special edition’ released on video in 2001 contains a slightly different line of dialogue from Gluckman.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Bachelor?

The Bachelor is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available for purchase online or at retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Bachelor, you might like these similar films:

• Seven Chances (1925): This is the original Buster Keaton silent film that ‘The Bachelor’ is based on, sharing the same core plot of a man needing to marry to inherit money.
• Runaway Bride (1999): Another romantic comedy from the same era about a commitment-phobic individual (in this case, the bride) who has to confront their fears.
• Brewster’s Millions (1985): While not about marriage, it shares the theme of inheriting a fortune with unusual conditions that must be met.
• 27 Dresses (2008): A modern romantic comedy that also explores themes of weddings, relationships, and finding love, even if indirectly at first.

🛒 The Bachelor Related Products

• The Bachelor DVD: Own the classic 90s rom-com on DVD! Enjoy the hilarious antics and charming performances anytime you want. A great addition to any rom-com collection.
• Seven Chances (1925) – Buster Keaton: The original silent film that inspired ‘The Bachelor’. Witness the comedic genius of Buster Keaton in this timeless classic. Experience the pure slapstick and ingenuity that made Keaton a legend.
• Chris O’Donnell Autographed Photo: A signed photo of Chris O’Donnell. A must-have for dedicated fans of the actor. Each autograph is unique, making this a valuable collector’s item.
• Renée Zellweger Movie Collection: A box set featuring Renée Zellweger’s best films. A curated collection showcasing her talent and versatility. Explore her career beyond ‘The Bachelor’ with this comprehensive set.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Bachelor features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Don’t Fence Me In” – performed by David Byrne
• “You Really Got Me” – performed by The Kinks

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This is a man that tens of thousands of women want to marry. #shorts

Want a quick refresher on what ‘The Bachelor’ is all about? This short video gives you the whole plot in under a minute – perfect if you’re deciding whether to give it a watch. I think it does a great job of capturing the crazy premise!

✨ Rate