Rating: 
Summary: Muddled but inoffensive...watch it for Lena Olin
Review: I spent the first 30 minutes of this movie waiting for the director to figure out whether he had filmed a drama or a comedy. Eventually, the 'comedy' that Blockbuster had promised (that's how they categorize it) began to emerge slowly. If you make it through the first 20 minutes, there are some enjoyable sequences and small laughs in the next hour.When the foundation of your movie is based upon an Irishman (Gabriel Byrne) and a Swede (Lena Olin) playing a Polish couple, you know Fox isn't readying an Oscar pitch to accompany the release. To their credit, these two do a pretty fair job pulling off what is obviously a stretch for them. As for the other actors: it's amateur hour. Claire Danes does okay despite the one-dimensional role she's handed. ["Claire: Be a waif!"] Lena Olin - in particular - excels and looks beautiful. Even when cleaning toilets. The costume designers must have had a hoot concocting Olin's uniform for her "Polish Womans' Auxiliary Service." She looks outrageously sexy in this over-the-top get-up, replete with shawl and jaunty cap. And Byrne's character knows it, too. Every time Olin puts on the uniform to go out, his suspicions are raised. In one of the films best lines (indicative of the style of humor exhibited in the film), Byrne notes: "Another meeting of the Polish Womans' Auxiliary Service. And the obvious question is: Auxiliary to what?"
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie ...A few dumb reviews
Review: I tend to miss the very beginning and the end of this movie, nevertheless it's a good movie. I decided to browse the reviews on it to see if I'm truely missing out on a great ending. I was surprised to see a few reviews that were pointless. Critizing the setting and the background of the story as being unbelievable, threw me way off. Apparently, there's a few things that those reviewers should know in order to better appreciate this movie. 1. In the Midwest (Detroit is considered a part of the midwest)there are cities that are still segragated (for lack of a better word) to an extend based on ethnic background. People are born, live and die without ever living outside the 2 mile radius of their neighborehoods.
2. 5th-7th generation Polish-Americans tend not to have a distinct stereotypical cartoony accent.
3. People still hang their laundry out to dry. Where do you think "Downy" got 'Summer Breeze" from?
4. Ethnic movies like this one and " My Big, Fat Greek Wedding" are usually made by people of that ethnic background. There is a difference regarding poking fun at your own background, your ethnic background, racial stereotypes, and racial truths. Both of these movies seem to be poking fun at life in general from their observation. You have to be very small minded to think that any ethnic movie represents an entire race. If you felt that these movies are stereotypes, I suppose you might say the same thing about "The Joy Luck Club" or "Soul Food". 5. And lastly, why do I feel the need to make these points? I'm from the Midwest and I noticed the reviewers who made those un-supported critisms are from the Soutn and West coast and I'm guessing have never lived in the Midwest. Polish Wedding holds true to a realistic setting that I can compare to the Polish-American neighborhoods of Milwaukee, WI, from which I was born and raised.
Rating: 
Summary: A viewer with a Polish background
Review: I thought this movie was wonderful. After my first time watching it, I had to watch it again. Rich with Polish traditions, including my favorites, Polish Dill pickles and pierogies, this movie delighted me. I look forward to owning it when the price goes down.
Rating: 
Summary: The worst movie ever made
Review: I watched this movie with the hope of seeing a humorous comdey. The blurb on the back spoke of a hilarious film with comedy centered on getting Claire Danes married. I watched the film and I waited for the promised humor. It was gone, never there, the worst film ever to be made was this one. Do not waste your time watching it.
Rating:
Summary: Close to white ethnic reality as you will get in comedy
Review: If Nelson Algren were alive, he might have written this. And Poles would condemn him as they do Connelly. But this is the life of my Polish and Hispanic and Black and Irish neighbors: We lie to ourselves, we are ridiculous, we are human and corny, we love, and we ARE worthwhile. Don't pay $80, but if you're human DO see the movie when you can.
Rating:
Summary: good acting fails to overcome flawed concept
Review: Lena Olin does an especially good job as the mother, as does Claire Danes as the daughter, in this heavily flawed movie with "art film" ambitions. Set in Hamtramck, the one-time Polish enclave in Detroit, the movie harkens back to decades ago although it is mistakenly set in the present.
Although the plot is subtle enough, with not-everything-spelled out, the many factual errors detract considerably from the viewer's experience. (Who leaves laundry outside on the line all night in humid southeastern Michigan? And how many parishes, no matter how ethnically traditional, still hold processions of the Virgin Mary? For that matter, what priest would choose as Mary's representative, an aimless high school dropout whose mother is the local sleep-around? And the Polish-Americans of Hamtramck, while proudly descended from old-country emigrant ancestors of decades ago, speak unaccented English, with the rare exception of a few octogenarian-plus grandmas.) Sorry, my own "suspension-of-disbelief" just doesn't stretch that far!
The competent acting performances, turned in by the entire cast, are wasted in this film which has many unintentional bits of humor (see above). The intentional bits of humor---the mother and brothers and father chasing with hockey sticks after the young policeman who impregnated the family's daughter--are just not funny enough to redeem this film.
Rating:
Summary: good acting fails to overcome flawed concept
Review: Lena Olin does an especially good job as the mother, as does Claire Danes as the daughter, in this heavily flawed movie with "art film" ambitions. Set in Hamtramck, the one-time Polish enclave in Detroit, the movie harkens back to decades ago although it is mistakenly set in the present.
Although the plot is subtle enough, with not-everything-spelled out, the many factual errors detract considerably from the viewer's experience. (Who leaves laundry outside on the line all night in humid southeastern Michigan? And how many parishes, no matter how ethnically traditional, still hold processions of the Virgin Mary? For that matter, what priest would choose as Mary's representative, an aimless high school dropout whose mother is the local sleep-around? And the Polish-Americans of Hamtramck, while proudly descended from old-country emigrant ancestors of decades ago, speak unaccented English, with the rare exception of a few octogenarian-plus grandmas.) Sorry, my own "suspension-of-disbelief" just doesn't stretch that far!
The competent acting performances, turned in by the entire cast, are wasted in this film which has many unintentional bits of humor (see above). The intentional bits of humor---the mother and brothers and father chasing with hockey sticks after the young policeman who impregnated the family's daughter--are just not funny enough to redeem this film.
Rating:
Summary: Life is Not ALWAYS Funny
Review: Life is not ALWAYS funny, and neither was this movie, but I have to believe it was not meant to be. The characters and setting are rich and believable (isn't this what movies and books are about-- suspension of disbelief, and being taken to another time and place?). No, I didn't sit there and laugh the whole time, but I did feel deep emotion throughout the movie. Anger, indignation, pride, empathy, amazement (Lena Olin's character is quite a wildwoman), joy, curiosity, sadness, pity, regret, hope... and the list goes on. No, darlings, it's not a Jim Carrey brainless comedy, and it's not a Minnie Driver brainy comedy, either. It is a drama that is funny occasionally because life is funny occasionally. (Sometimes you either laugh or you cry, you know. This movie is an excellent example of that.) And if that weren't enough, well then, what about watching it for Gabriel Byrne? He is compelling as the Polish, chain-smoking, flour-dusted baker-- husband to the dashing and determined Lena Olin and father to the fresh and curious Claire Danes. Byrne's performance is reason enough to watch this film. For one thing, his accent is absolutely perfect. The viewer is not reminded that this is an Irishman, because he plays the Pole through and through. Though Olin's character seems to be running the show, one look at Byrne sitting on the steps blowing smoke into the sky and flashing his dark-fringed moody blues is enough to make you feel this man knows what's going on. He's no dummy. But he accepts the imperfections in his life because, well, life isn't perfect. Unlike most of us, he is finding contentment in a world that would leave most wanting. There are no cellphones, cable TV, or credit cards, no designer clothing, nothing trendy at all in this movie, yet the world of the characters is complete, and in turn, the story is focused on the people and what is truly important in their lives. SO different from many movies these days. This is simply the story of a Polish family in Detroit who are trying in their own way to be who they are (some of them still trying to find out who they are). After seeing the story unfold before me, I felt like I had a taken a glimpse behind closed doors. I'd say that makes the movie effective, wouldn't you? I would happily watch this movie again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Don't be overly critical and you'll enjoy this one.
Review: Maybe it is because I read so many bad reviews for this movie before I rented it, or maybe it's because I am engaged to a Polish woman, but I really enjoyed this film. Contrary to what the critics said about this movie, I thought it was a well made film. Claire Danes was fantastic, as were the other actors. The only thing that bothered me was the ending. That was just a little too much of Hollywood's emphasis on dramatic endings. I'm not sure I could agree with the claims that this movie is "hilariously funny" (Variety), but if you're in a good mood, you should chuckle on occasion and feel good after watching it. From my vantage point (an American observer of Polish tradition), I felt the movie did a good job depicting Polish ways and mannerisms. Of course, my fiancée begs to differ. Sometimes, however, it's difficult to recognise yourself on the big screen. At least that is what I would say to my sweet Polish princess.
Rating: 
Summary: don't waist your time!
Review: okay...what does a polish wedding have to do with the story? there was no wedding? she (claire danes) was wearing a wedding dress for one scene but she didn't get married. i'm giving 'polish wedding' two stars for one reason only. when gabriel byrnes is crying...that is a VERY good scene and i must say that he is a VERY good actor...the way he was crying and stuff was amazing. but one question. why was claire danes and gabriel byrnes in this terriable movie...i mean they must have read the script. why?
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