One Small Hitch

One Small Hitch

Year: 2013

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: John Burgess

RomanceComedy

While returning home to Chicago for a family wedding, childhood friends Josh and Molly playfully agree to fake a wedding engagement to bring joy to Josh’s ailing father. Their charade quickly spirals out of control as their enthusiastic families get involved and a fake wedding is planned. As they navigate the complexities of their deception, genuine feelings begin to emerge, forcing them to choose between returning to their lives in Los Angeles or embracing a future together in Chicago.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – One Small Hitch (2013)

Trace every key event in One Small Hitch (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Josh's LA flight delay and wedding prep

In Los Angeles, Josh shares a kiss with a girl who is typical of his dates, then rushes to catch a flight to Chicago for the wedding. His flight is delayed, and he passes the time reading magazines about weddings on the plane.

before flight Los Angeles
2

Molly's bridesmaid dress and Lance's trouble

Molly tries on her bridesmaid dress for her friends. At the airport, Lance shows up in a loud, party mood and it becomes clear he cheated on her, prompting a painful argument and a tearful retreat to a restroom with a sympathetic flight attendant.

before flight Los Angeles
3

Terminal cancer shock and engagement plan

Back home, the doctor informs Max that his cancer is terminal. Josh resolves to tell Max that he is engaged and knows the woman, and Molly reluctantly agrees to go along with the deception to fulfill Max's wish to see him married.

evening Los Angeles
4

Josh flirts at the bar while waiting for the flight

With the flight still delayed, Josh flirts with another woman, Risa, in a bar while the clock ticks down. The encounter foreshadows the complications that will arise with Molly later in the trip.

evening Los Angeles
5

Molly interrupts the bar moment and family pressure

Molly walks into the same bar, behaving strangely, and Josh’s old friend Molly crosses paths with him in the same moment. Her brother Sean phones Josh, and Frida calls, angry about the situation and the looming wedding.

evening Los Angeles
6

They travel to Chicago and are welcomed by both families

Thinking they can avoid a fuss, Josh and Molly board a flight to Chicago and deplane to a warm welcome from both families. They discover they must pretend to be engaged as the wedding approaches.

arrival day Chicago
7

The living arrangement begins as a cover

The couple is offered a guest room, but they instead move into a storage apartment. They spend the night there, with Molly in the bed and Josh on the sofa, starting their pretend engagement in earnest.

first night Chicago
8

Max passes the ring and wedding prep begins

The next morning, Max gives Josh his grandmother's ring to give to Molly, heightening the stakes of the ruse. Josh and Molly start to navigate both families while preparing for the wedding.

morning Chicago
9

Visits, meals, and family integration

Josh and Molly visit Sean and Carla and explain the situation, while also sharing a meal with Molly's mother Doreen and the groom Al. The two families begin to blend in at the wedding planning stage.

daytime Chicago
10

Pre-wedding nerves and the ring moment

Right before the ceremony, friends wonder if Molly is pregnant. Josh, about to present the ring, drops it and kneels to pick it up, a moment that the bridesmaids celebrate as a sign of their engagement.

pre-wedding Chicago
11

Giselle's return and deception is exposed

Giselle, Josh's ex-girlfriend, makes a reappearance and seems sympathetic, but a relative spills the truth about Molly’s deception. The family mood shifts as the ruse starts to unravel.

pre-ceremony Chicago
12

Heart attack, confession, and confrontation

During the wedding events, Max suffers a heart attack and Frida pushes for the best care. Giselle's presence and the deception lead to tension, and Sean confronts Josh before Molly finally comes clean.

wedding day Chicago
13

Reaffirmation and family reconciliation

Josh kneels again and gives Molly the ring, reaffirming that she is the right partner for him. Max returns to the family as the tension fades and the family begins to heal.

post-heart-attack Chicago
14

A new path: staying and working together

Josh and Molly decide to stay and work at The Framery, cementing their relationship and a shared future. The family moves toward acceptance as they look ahead together.

aftermath Chicago

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:23

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Romantic Comedies with a Fake Relationship Plot like One Small Hitch

Stories where a fabricated romance sparks an undeniable and genuine connection.If you enjoyed the playful deception and genuine heart of One Small Hitch, you'll love these movies. This collection features romantic comedies where characters enter a fake relationship only to discover real love, blending humor, heartfelt moments, and satisfying happy endings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a pragmatic or altruistic reason for two characters to pretend they are a couple. As they navigate the complexities of their lie for family, friends, or work, their shared experiences and forced proximity lead to authentic emotional intimacy, culminating in a confession of true feelings.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared plot structure and emotional payoff. They balance the lighthearted humor of the charade with the genuine, slow-burn romance that develops, creating a consistently uplifting and hopeful viewing experience focused on the surprise of finding love where it was least expected.

Family-Centric Romantic Comedies Similar to One Small Hitch

Romantic journeys where family dynamics and celebrations bring couples together.Fans of the warm, family-centric vibe of One Small Hitch will appreciate these movies. This selection highlights romantic comedies where family events and interactions are integral to the plot, creating a joyful, uplifting, and heartfelt atmosphere that surrounds the central love story.

family-centricwarmheartfeltupliftingromantichopefuljoyful

Narrative Summary

The plot often revolves around a family event that forces the protagonists to interact closely. The bustling, sometimes meddling, family environment provides both obstacles and catalysts for the relationship, blending cultural or generational differences with universal themes of love and acceptance, all leading to a cohesive and happy resolution for the couple and their families.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific mood: they are warm, uplifting, and centered on the intersection of romantic love and family bonds. The pacing is steady, focusing on character interactions within a family setting, and the tone balances lighthearted humor with genuine emotional weight, resulting in a profoundly hopeful feel.

Unlock the Full Story of One Small Hitch

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One Small Hitch Summary

Read a complete plot summary of One Small Hitch, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

One Small Hitch Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in One Small Hitch

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape One Small Hitch. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in One Small Hitch

One Small Hitch Spoiler-Free Summary

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One Small Hitch Spoiler-Free Summary

More About One Small Hitch

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