My Big Fat Greek Wedding
 

This is a film a few of you may not have heard of. Its original release (limited, of course) took place over four months ago. It's word-of-mouth, however, has been through the roof, and it's now grossed over $60 million domestically, sitting in over 1,000 theaters nationwide. And it's not very hard to see why.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding stars Nia Vardalos (who wrote as well as starred) as "Toula" (that's her nickname) Portokalos. She is, of course, Greek. Very Greek. Her family is even Greeker (if that's a word). She starts the film as a sort of "ugly duckling," and her father's urges to find a husband, along with her growing restlessness as to how her life is unfolding, boil together early on. Suddenly, a man walks into her family's restaurant (Ian Miller, played by John Corbett) and the boiling overflows. He's charming and handsome, and serves as the last straw to send her on a quest to change her life before it becomes too late.

Her father (Gus Portokalos, played flawlessly by Michael Constantine) is hilarious throughout. From his over-the-top Greek pride (they have the Grecian flag painted on their garage door), to his offensive yet amusing distaste for educated women, to his odd faith in the healing power of Windex, he is stupid, loving, ridiculous, and very, very funny.

Many clichés are toyed with, but thankfully few are played out. Her "makeover scene" where she dons contacts, a new hairstyle, and a change in wardrobe, could have easily degraded into something akin to Robin Williams trying on various goofy outfits in front of a full-body mirror, or some teenage girl walking into the room and stereotypically stunning everyone because she traded her glasses and jeans for eyeliner and a dress.

You will, however, be forced to sit through more than one scene involving multiple family members overwhelming the bride and groom. This is handled in such a way so that it's seen as comforting and familiar, rather than boring and repetitive, though.

The humor is honest and clean, and the movie is wholesome and enjoyable. Its emotion is genuine, making its comedy (even the few slapstick moments involved) all the more powerful.

Predictable at times, but honest, funny, and even heartwarming, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one of the best films I've seen this year. The comedy isn't particularly subtle (though the tiny nod to That Thing You Do!, which, like this, was at least partially produced by Tom Hanks, is), but it's funny all the same. Go see it!

The Bottom Line: My Best Friend's Wedding meets The Royal Tenenbaums (sorta). :D

Unfortunately, this film is not playing in my theater. :furious: We always seem to get limited releases and those of that type. I am not quite sure if My Big fat Greek Wedding is one of them but I have been waiting to see this. I'm pretty sad.:(

i've heard little about this one but from just the name i think it is something i would just have to check it out.

I have heard lots of good things about it. I am very interested in seeing this. :yup:

By the name it is either going to be a big comic hit or a patheticly big flop, i hope it comes out the first one.

First one. Not a blockbuster but a hit like The Divine Sisters of the YaYa Sisterhood .

Thats just been released here and the previews didnt make me run to go see it, i dont think i will be running along to go and see that

Well here, YaYa had been playing for quite a long time and had a large following. Who knows.

I just recently seen this movie the other day (as my theatre just now got it about a month ago) and found it to be better than I thought it would be.

It had a good set of humor packed into it and is great for a laugh.

I saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding months ago, and while a charming little sleeper that is fun to see get some mainstream success, it is a touch overrated. But a good, sweet little movie just the same.

This movie is way too much like a sitcom for my liking. I can watch Friends reruns at home, thanks.

Pfft. This was far funnier and more genuine than Friends, which is devoid of any kind of any non-manufactured emotion. Comedy works better either without emotional attachment at all, or when you genuinely care about the characters.

I'm going to have to disagree. I think every emotion in that movie is manufactured to some degree or another. I'd like to ask a question: if that movie was called My Big Fat Black Wedding, would you have liked it? There's nary an individual character in the movie - everything is painted in stereotypes. :bored:

If it were called My Big Fat Black Wedding, it wouldn't have made much sense...the jokes would all have to be changed. However, assuming they were changed from Greek-related jokes, to the black equivalent, then yeah, I think I would.

Would I like it less? Yes, but simply because black wedding comedies have been done before. I'd like it less if it were, say, My Big Fat Italian Wedding, too (which my old lady told me was what several of the producers wanted it to be, originally). It's about Greek people; US-based movies about Greeks aren't exactly in surplus right now, so it was refreshing in a way.

My theater will be getting My Big Fat Greek Wedding along with Swimfan and Spidey/MIB2 tomorrow. YEAH!!!!!!!!!:D

Darlings,

All you guys are sweetie pies
But so PC you bother me

That poor nice guy gave her the eye
And she made him change his church.
When her brothers all made fun of him
She left him in the lurch.
From families incompatible
Their backgrounds weren't combat-able.

From kissing, he went without a pause
To living next to wierd inlaws!
Without debate, a dreadful fate!

Kisses to everybody,
Jozie

Did you write that?? :)

Sure. I never plaguaraze (that is spelled strangely,but you know what I mean.)

At least not that i know of.

Does your question mean you thought it was ok, or you thought I should have stayed home today?

j

This is exactly what I wanted to say, so...

That movie sucked!
 

I saw it and it was not the best movie I never saw!I seen it on tape when it came out and it was such a disapointment!
The acting was not that good either!I would give it one star if I was to rate it!The greek accents were cool through!See you around!JM :cool: ;) :p :D :)