Four Weddings & a Funeral
(A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Four Weddings & a Funeral' (directed by Mike Newell) focuses on Charles (Hugh Grant), his eclectic group of friends, the 4 weddings, & 1 funeral which they attend. The setting: England. Charles & his closest friends (including those played by Kristin Scott Thomas, Charlotte Coleman, & James Fleet) wonder if they'll ever find their one true love & marry. They always seem to be attending weddings, but are never the big "2" of the day; & truth be told, the only ones even in love are the gay couple in the group, Gareth & Matthew (Simon Callow, John Hannah). Charles has always been one to move from girlfriend to girlfriend without finding 'the one'. But at the wedding of Angus & Laura - where Charles is best man - he meets an American fashion editor named Carrie (Andie MacDowell).
For him, it's love at 1st sight. She likes him, too. But although they spend a memorable night together at an Inn, that's all it ends up being, & he is reticent to act on anything. She leaves for America soon after. But as fate would have it, 3 weddings occur over the duration of the film (and one unfortunate funeral) ... and Charles does run into Carrie again. But something always prevents them from being together (his shy, bumbling demeanor & lack of conviction in telling her that he loves her doesn't help). He also keeps bumping into old girlfriends; one of whom he thinks he was meant to be with. Carrie may think that Charles has missed his chance long ago. What will happen to Charles, Carrie, & the rest of the group?
'4W&aF' represents 1 hour & 58 minutes of intelligent, fun, sad, & cathartic movie magic. I loved the setting. I loved the coarse British banter btwn. the characters. Speaking of that, LOVED the collection of characters; each one different from the next. I loved the premise of the film. I like how it starts as a standard romantic comedy, yet evolves when plot turns take hold. I loved the frothy, engaging atmosphere created by director, Mike Newell. I loved the humor (laughed out loud several times). I loved the witty nature of the script. I appreciated the significant & bittersweet drama. I nearly cried at the sadness; where the John Hannah character reads an INCREDIBLE eulogy. And in the end, I felt like I had just experienced a fulfilling time with some intriguing people. How awesome is that?
This film is proving to be a hit because of the mix of characters & the clever dialogue/situations that occur. Hugh Grant is witty, twitty, & relatable (even though his Charles messes up too much). And his blend of comedy & serious drama goes over well, here. Like most British actors/actresses, they can knock you over with a feather with the simplest inflection. Andie MacDowell is solid as the carefree Carrie. Kristin Scott Thomas is a revelation as Fiona, an alternately acerbic & charming friend of Charles who pines away for him; even if she knows deep inside that nothing may come of it. Simon Callow is great as the exuberant Gareth. Rowan Atkinson (best known as Mr. Bean) is great as a confused priest. And Charlotte Coleman is as strange as she looks; and I loved her all the more for it.
I also really liked the end credits sequence (stick around for those!). Overall, I find '4W&aF' to be an irresistible, beguiling film; one that I'll enjoy going back to it over & over again over the years -- because it gives you a little bit of everything. Most of all, love.
For him, it's love at 1st sight. She likes him, too. But although they spend a memorable night together at an Inn, that's all it ends up being, & he is reticent to act on anything. She leaves for America soon after. But as fate would have it, 3 weddings occur over the duration of the film (and one unfortunate funeral) ... and Charles does run into Carrie again. But something always prevents them from being together (his shy, bumbling demeanor & lack of conviction in telling her that he loves her doesn't help). He also keeps bumping into old girlfriends; one of whom he thinks he was meant to be with. Carrie may think that Charles has missed his chance long ago. What will happen to Charles, Carrie, & the rest of the group?
'4W&aF' represents 1 hour & 58 minutes of intelligent, fun, sad, & cathartic movie magic. I loved the setting. I loved the coarse British banter btwn. the characters. Speaking of that, LOVED the collection of characters; each one different from the next. I loved the premise of the film. I like how it starts as a standard romantic comedy, yet evolves when plot turns take hold. I loved the frothy, engaging atmosphere created by director, Mike Newell. I loved the humor (laughed out loud several times). I loved the witty nature of the script. I appreciated the significant & bittersweet drama. I nearly cried at the sadness; where the John Hannah character reads an INCREDIBLE eulogy. And in the end, I felt like I had just experienced a fulfilling time with some intriguing people. How awesome is that?
This film is proving to be a hit because of the mix of characters & the clever dialogue/situations that occur. Hugh Grant is witty, twitty, & relatable (even though his Charles messes up too much). And his blend of comedy & serious drama goes over well, here. Like most British actors/actresses, they can knock you over with a feather with the simplest inflection. Andie MacDowell is solid as the carefree Carrie. Kristin Scott Thomas is a revelation as Fiona, an alternately acerbic & charming friend of Charles who pines away for him; even if she knows deep inside that nothing may come of it. Simon Callow is great as the exuberant Gareth. Rowan Atkinson (best known as Mr. Bean) is great as a confused priest. And Charlotte Coleman is as strange as she looks; and I loved her all the more for it.
I also really liked the end credits sequence (stick around for those!). Overall, I find '4W&aF' to be an irresistible, beguiling film; one that I'll enjoy going back to it over & over again over the years -- because it gives you a little bit of everything. Most of all, love.