New York firefighter Patrick Sullivan 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. 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 (Justina Machado) 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 decide to give Dr. Lloyd a taste of her own medicine and “accidentally” join them in holy matrimony – something that doesn’t go over too well with her fiancée (played by Colin Firth) - it isn’t long before they learn that sometimes even an expert in love needs a second opinion.
 

Filming took place in late 2006. First Church of Round Hill in  Greenwich, CT was chosen for the wedding. The script had scenes in both Manhattan and Queens.

Director Griffin Dunn:
"Sam was one of the reasons I moved to New York to be an actor. I can’t believe that I had the opportunity to direct a man I have been in awe of for so long. It was a little daunting, but Sam is a great guy and so relaxed around the set he makes the job easy. He’s also very serious about acting and about comedy."

Sam Shepard:
"It’s all about rhythm. A joke won’t come off if the rhythm isn’t right. Griffin did a fine job of making the entire pace of this film work."

Overall the film failed at the box office despite a stunning cast.

Stella Papamichael, BBC:
"Only Sam Shepard conveys a modicum of sincerity playing Dr Lloyd's quietly concerned father."

Mike Beharrell, UK's Newbury Today:
"The most relaxed and natural person in the whole thing is Sam Shepard, playing Thurman’s old Dad in a homespun, 'I’m thinking of the money’ kind of way."

Screen Goblin:
"Some of the most heart warming scenes feature Uma playing against screen legend Sam Shepard who plays Wilder, Dr Emily Lloyd’s father."

Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall:
She (Thurman) does manage to generate some spiky chemistry with Morgan, which is all that sustains the film, really. He's quite engaging in the scruffy, "wrong man" role, and contrasts well against the effortlessly smooth Firth, who actually manages to redeem his character in the end. Star-powered supporting players like Shepard, Rossellini and Adams fill the edges nicely.

Dignews.com:
What "The Accidental Husband" lacks is that “spark” in the script as it is translated to the screen. There’s a great idea here, but something about the dialogue just doesn’t come across as funny, and this is much too light-hearted of a film to be a drama. The problem isn’t with the actors, as they are all good.