Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

reviewed by
Pedro Sena


FILM TITLE:             FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL
DIRECTOR:             MIKE NEWELL
COUNTRY:              ENGLAND 1993
CINEMATOGRAPHY: MICHAEL COULTER
MUSIC:                    RICHARD RODNEY BERNETT
CAST:                      Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Simon Callow,
Charlotte Coleman, Corin Redgrave, Rowan Atkinson
SUPER FEATURES:  Very funny film.
          !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is only one word to describe this film. FUNNY.

A group of friends have lived proudly of their ability to stay single for a long time. Their life seems to consist of school, and a few parties here and there to entertain themselves, and their friendship. But they are all reaching the age, when the partying is fun, but the being alone part is not.

And they all set out to score a partner for marriage. They all succeed except our hero, who has fallen in love with an American socialite ( if that is the word ) that has decided to take up with an Irish man.

And when all is lost, our hero has settled for second best, the woman that has liked him for a long time, but is ill suited for his tastes. Fortunately for him, he has just enough of the free spirit in him to not forget the one person he has come to love, even if she is impossible to reach.

The film is full of situations that are extremely funny. The rookie priest performing his very first wedding can't help mix up, and forget the words he is supposed to say on account of his nervousness. Our hero's younger brother saying the wrong things at the wrong time. And our hilarious and crazy man who is the oldest of the group, who is ever ready for a party and another drink.

In between, each member of the group gets acquainted with someone they end up marrying.

The funny way this film is done is very entertaining, and while the language is on occasion a bit on the fowl side, the film is very enjoyable. These kind of comedies do not come around all the time, and they are a treat when they do.

Hugh Grant is exceptional, as is Andie Macdowell, and the various members of the group, all of which have very extreme personalities. And to see one of them hook up a Texan cowboy, is odd, but then, this group is odd.

Should see. Very funny, and hard for a reviewer not to give away. The first six words in the film tell it all. Fast, funny, weird, and hilarious.

4 GIBLOONS
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