One Small Hitch Parent Guide

Have you ever said you’d do anything to help a friend who is going through a difficult time? Molly Mahone (Aubrey Dollar) makes such an offer to Josh Shiffman (Shane McRae), a family friend, when he tells her his father has just been diagnosed with cancer. And Josh does cash in—asking a favor that turns out to be bigger than anything Molly had bargained on.

Apparently the dying wish of Josh’s dad (Daniel J. Travanti) is to meet the woman his son will one day marry. Not wanting to disappoint him, Josh says the lucky lady is Molly, who conveniently just happens to be flying home with him to Chicago to attend a wedding. He knows living the deception during their short stay in the windy city will be asking a lot of their friendship, yet he is hoping Molly’s compassion will persuade her to play along with the phony engagement.

When Molly finds out he presumed to make this announcement before she had even accepted his proposal, she is as angry as a redhead can be. Still her shock is nothing compared to that of their family and friends. While their respective parents are mostly enthusiastic, no one else expected a smooth-talking ladies man like Josh to tie the knot with the awkward, kid sister of his best friend (Robert Belushi). In all the years the two have known one another, they have never shown any interest in each other. Whenever they have talk, their conversation usually turned into spats. And then there is the obvious complication of their Jewish and Catholic backgrounds. (Actually, it is sort of funny that the script includes this dynamic, because it doesn’t include any portrayals of the characters practicing their religion—especially where traditional laws of chastity are concerned).

Despite all skepticism, the couple carries on the ruse, even when it means sharing the same apartment, wearing an heirloom engagement ring and trying on dresses at a bridal shop. But the little white lie that was supposed to last only a few days turns into a longer proposition when Josh promises his mother (Janet Ulrich Brooks) he will postpone his return to LA in order to help her run the family business. Surprisingly (and for no reason she’s prepared to confess even to herself), Molly also agrees to extend her stay.

This film features the usual plot elements of a romantic comedy, yet what might not be unexpected is the amount of sexual content in this production. Josh’s character has several sexual encounters with various women—even while he is supposedly engaged—which are depicted with shots of him passionately caressing, fondling, kissing, undressing and laying with his lovers. Some of these scenes include sexual sounds and motions. Male and female characters are shown stripping down to their underwear and in lingerie. Nudity is implied (but not seen) at a spa, and when a man walks in on a woman taking a bath. Discussions about sex, adultery, infidelity and the use of crass terms and slang names for body parts occur with some frequency. As well, the possibility of an unwed pregnancy is gossiped about.

Also abundant is alcohol use. Characters drink at alone, at home, in bars and during social gatherings. Many of them get totally intoxicated at a wedding. One character even gets “high” after taking medication recommended by a stranger. Exclamations using names of deity, along with mild and moderate profanities are regularly toss about too.

Eventually (and predictably) the nice, loyal girl tames the unfaithful, bad boy. For viewers who suspect many sowers of wild oats are likely to return to their former habits, the believability of this happy ending comes with one small hitch.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.