Caught in a romantic dilemma

MANILA, Philippines - Can one love expert know the answers to every romantic dilemma? What if she’s the one having heart problems? In the new romantic comedy The Accidental Husband, Uma Thurman discovers that there are no rules when it comes to matters of the heart.

New York firefighter Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan of Watchmen) had no idea his seemingly idyllic life was about to go up in smoke — especially as the unwitting, second-hand recipient of advice from famed love expert and radio host Dr. Emma Lloyd (Thurman of Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill). One day he is a happy, go-lucky guy looking forward to a life with his soon-to-be-bride. The next thing you know, his fiancée Sophia is seeking couples counseling on the radio from Dr. Lloyd. The no-nonsense, ever practical Dr. Lloyd questions Sophia’s concept of romantic love and advises her to break their engagement, which she swiftly does.

But when Patrick and his computer-savvy neighbor give Dr. Lloyd a dose of her own medicine and “accidentally” joins them in holy matrimony, something that doesn’t go over too well with her fiancé Michael (Colin Firth of Love Actually, Mamma Mia), it isn’t long before they learn that sometimes even an expert in love needs a second opinion.

Thurman said she was drawn to the film because of its ‘30s and ‘40s romantic comedy style and its innovative theme: Finding true love literally by accident.

“I loved everything about the script — from the title, to the set up of the plot, to the dialogue,” remembers Thurman. “Everyone has always told me that I come across so serious, so when I read this script, I saw it as the perfect way to express my sense of humor. It was clear from the first read that I could have a lot of fun with Emma.”

“There are only a few guys around who look like they can put out fires and get in street fights and be incredibly charming,” says director Griffin Dunne. “Finding Jeffery Dean Morgan wasn’t an accident, it was a miracle.”

“I felt like the luckiest guy in the world,” says Morgan, the upcoming star who starred opposite Hillary Swank in P.S., I Love You and played the role of The Comedian/Edward Blake in the movie version of the bestselling book Watchmen.

“Working with Uma was amazing, and though I was nervous to work with a pro like Colin Firth, once we hung out I found him to be a genuine guy, and very funny. I only hoped I could keep up with him,” he ends.

The Accidental Husband proves that a wild fiery love will snuff out a dull steady flame in a New York minute. Featuring a supporting cast that includes Sam Shepard (The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford) and Isabella Rossellini (The Architect), the fun romantic comedy is a heartfelt love letter to Manhattan and a tribute to romance. Catch it on May 20 as it opens in theaters.