Rating: Summary: A nice summer diversion Review: First of all, if you need me to write a plot summary for this film, click the Back button right now. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was made on a budget of $$ million, and it grossed over $$ million worldwide; in fact, it's not only the surprise box office smash of 2002, it's actually the highest-grossing independent film of all time. Now I'm definitely not Greek, and romantic comedies are almost never at the top of my "must-see list". However, I *am* a reviewer of independent films, so naturally this statistic was simply too outrageous for me to ignore. Directed by Joel Zwick and produced by (gasp!) Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, this is a cute and generally entertaining film. The storyline is both familiar and predictable, and the humor is more amusing than hilarious. However, the film's major strength (and probably the main reason why it became so popular) is the array of likeable characters with exaggerated stereotypes, combined with the eccentric cast that brings the caricatures to life. To start off the film, the protagonist Toula (Nia Vardalos) gives a humorous voice-over narration to introduce the audience to her huge and boisterous family. In the next few minutes, virtually all the relatives-from Toula's obstinate father, to her raucous cousins, to her industrious older sister-are given a garden variety of adorable quirks and one-liners that still remain fresh in the viewer's mind, even when the plot has progressed further. Later, the sharp contrast between Toula's family and that of her fiancé Ian (John Corbett) adds another charming touch to the film. The film then offers several good laughs involving Michael trying to adjust to the Greek family, and of Toula trying to detach herself from her father's harsh policies. However, after a certain point (most noticeably after the "engagement party" scene), the film begins to recycle its gags based on the same one-joke premise. The jokes were still amusing, as they continued to overstress the characters' personalities, but they just weren't as funny the second or third time around. One particular scene involving the intoxication of Ian's parents struck me as being both hackneyed and corny, but fortunately that's the only really lowbrow point in the film. Of course the film doesn't try to pull any tricks, and the comedic pinnacle is saved for the wedding day. Unfortunately, this scene didn't come off as being downright hilarious like it should've been, considering that it's supposed to be the big moment everyone's waiting for. It does, however, unite both families and bring out the memorable aspects of the characters, and it provides a handy stepping stool for the film's "happily ever after" ending. Ultimately, this film wasn't as subtle with its humor as I hoped it would be, seeing that it was so unbelievably popular. Nor did it attempt to tell jokes on a different basis the way I expected it would. Still, it was a pleasant little diversion with endearing characters to whom I was sorry to say goodbye. I knew it was clichéd, I knew it was predictable, and I knew it was really not my type of movie-but I had fun anyway, and I'm quite sure you will too. (Oh, and for those of you who've seen the film, I'll have you know that the Windex is real.)
Rating: Summary: Hilarious! Review: My parents saw this movie and told me that it was hilarious and I had to see it. Even though I had heard great stories about how funny it was, it didn't appeal to me. About a week after my parents saw it, they took me and a friend to see it, because it was so funny they "needed" to see it again. I laughed nonstop throughout the whole movie! From the first line to the last, I kept laughing at the jokes. Some people say that this movie is "stereotypical" but it's not, it's just pure fun. I own it, and have seen it about seven times, and still laugh. It's that good!
Rating: Summary: Great Movie! Review: This has to be one of the funniest movies this year and even in the past few years. It gets funnier everytime you see it.
Rating: Summary: LOVE this movie! Review: I was afraid all the hype was going to put this movie on such a pedestal that before I got to see it, my expectations would be too high. However, I was not at all disappointed! This is an original idea and if you see the DVD you'll have the opportunity to watch it with the commentary of Nia, John Corbett and the director, which gives you a lot of inside scoop! Usually, watching a movie with a running commentary is not my thing, but they give so many interesting insider stories and factoids that you wish you were there for the making of the movie! By the way, this movie is the true story (more or less) of how Nia and her husband and their families hooked up!
Rating: Summary: OVERRATED, BUT STILL ENJOYABLE Review: I couldn't wait to rent this movie. This had been hyped into Oscar contention by the entertainment media so it had to be great! Therein lies the problem. I expected something super along the lines of say, Chevy Chase's Vacation series, Eddie Murphy's Nutty Professor, or Robin Williams Mrs. Doubtfire. There were a few good moments, but the big laughs never materialized. This movie had some setups for great comedy, i.e. when the Greek father bought the newlyweds a house next door and when the groom's parents met their future inlaws. Another missed opportunity was when the groom's parents attended the wedding - I thought for sure something hysterical would happen when they got looped from all the toasting. My husband left the room after the first thirty minutes saying, "I thought this was supposed to be funny..." The delightful Nia Vardalos had a good premise, but needed to punch up the screenplay with funnier dialogue and more substantive interplay between the characters. My sense is that those who rate this highly are like me, appreciative of the warm, easy-going nature of this film It offers some respite from the violence that seems so prevalent on the screen today. So see it with that in mind, enjoy it, but don't expect to be rolling on the floor with laughter.
Rating: Summary: An absolute riot from beginning to end! Review: This movie was a riot from beginning to end. I am Italian so I can definitely relate to this move but regardless of your nationality you can't help but laugh at the lines. I laughed so much when I saw it in the movie theater that I just knew I was going to have to get the DVD because I know I missed some lines because I was laughing (as was my husband and the rest of the people in the theater). I have watched it at least 3 more times since it arrived. Excellent lighthearted and clean humor! Definitely a must have for your DVD collection!
Rating: Summary: hilarious Review: I couldn't stop laughing when I saw this DVD
Rating: Summary: My big fat laughter Review: This movie is really funny. I would not change the script for anything. I enjoyed watching this movie in the big screen. I went with my friends to see it and we could not stop laughing. The person who wrote this movie is really talented. This movie shows you how different cultures are. The movie was wonderful and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did. As for the show my big fat greek life, I have not yet liked it. There were a few laughs here and there but its not as good as the movie.
Rating: Summary: An amazing comedy! Review: Although I am always told I have a great sense of humor, I very rarely laugh out loud. This rule is especially true when I watch movies. However, I have to hand it to the men and women who created 'My Big Fat Greek Weeding' for creating a comedy which gave me a number of great laughs. The story itself seems morose when it is told, however, just like my friends did for me, I guarantee you you will enjoy this movie.
Rating: Summary: Sensational! Review: My Big Fat Greek Wedding is an awesome movie. There are plenty of laughs throughout it and it is great for the whole family to watch. Every character has their own unique personality and ways. The father, Gus, is always teaching other people things about the Greeks and he is always talking about things that they did. The grandmother still thinks the war is going on and sometimes gets a little out of control. But the main character,Toula, is a young women who is always being pressured by her father to get married before she gets too old. When she does find the right guy, her father is ready to disapprove because he is not Greek. I am not going to spoil the ending of the movie, but I want you to know that you will enjoy it. It is great especially for people who have very large families. You can watch the movie over and over again, and it is always brings a smile to your face. I love to learn about people of other cultures and different traditions that they have. I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did and I hope my review was helpful.
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