Rating: 
Summary: Wildly funny
Review: I was very reluctant to see this movie---I am actually the product of a marriage between a Greek-American and a WASP and I thought the film would just reinforce all sorts of stereotypes about both groups.
The movie does buy into lots of stereotypes but it is hilarious and very much on target (esp. about Greek Americans and their view of themselves and their place in history). At the basic level, the film is a romantic comedy---nice girl meets nice boy; she is reluctant to introduce him to her family and only brings him home when she is forced to do so. After a great deal of hand-wringing, her family ultimately comes to accept her choice while Ian, her fiance, falls as much in love with her family as he is in love with her. This must be a theme in WASP-Greek unions---my father, a WASP, was also fascinated by Greek-American culture (which can be quite strange!).
The acting was fantastic--Nia Vardalos has an incredibly expressive face and the woman who plays her aunt should have been nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actress. She has many of the best lines. If you haven't seen this film, rent or buy it! Take it from someone who knows---this is definitely on target!
Rating: 
Summary: It was good But...
Review: I was expecting more considering all the publicity I had heard. When this came out on DVD I ran and bought it because of the hype and when we watched it for the first time we couldn't help but be disappointed. I was expecting more laughs not just the few chuckles it had. We thought the movie was good but did not stand up to what the media made it out to be. I have seen better movies which is why I am shocked that it was in the theaters so long. Don't get me wrong it is good but rent it before you buy it to make sure that the movie is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: I'm not going to re-hash everything that's already been said. This movie is kind of disappointing after all of the hype (surprise), but it still manages to be enjoyable. As far as the standard ro-com goes, this is better than the average fare. Unfortunately, that's the best that can be said: it's better than average.
Rating: 
Summary: MY BIG FAT WASTE OF TIME
Review: I'm sorry, I just did not get it. I wanted it too be good. I wanted to like it and I'm usually pretty "soft" on movies. After seeing this one with all the hype that accompanied it, I am going out of my way to rate this film wherever I can. The jokes were predicable, the outrageous family got tiring and they weren't even likable! I grew up with Greek people and I know of no one who acts like this family. If I were Greek, I'd be insulted (not by the stereotyped betrayal of Greeks) but because it's just not funny! If you liked Office Space, Something about Mary, Animal House and are a fan of Dennis Miller.......WARNING......don't waste your money. Your sense of humour is too sophisticated for this movie.
Kudos for the PR machine that made this movie such a monetary success. George Bush should hire him to promote his war. Honestly, I cut my losses at the planning of the wedding and couldn't finish this one.......I am assuming they got married? Further torture........watched...My Big Fat Greek Life last night (hoping they got some new writers). Big Zero.
Rating:
Summary: MY BIG FAT WASTE OF AN HOUR
Review: I'm sorry, I just did not get it. I wanted it too be good. I wanted to like it and I'm usually pretty "soft" on movies. After seeing this one with all the hype that accompanied it, I am going out of my way to rate this film wherever I can. The jokes were predicable, the outrageous family got tiring and they weren't even likable! I grew up with Greek people and I know of no one who acts like this family. If I were Greek, I'd be insulted (not by the stereotyped betrayal of Greeks) but because it's just not funny! If you liked Office Space, Something about Mary, Animal House and are a fan of Dennis Miller.......WARNING......don't waste your money. Your sense of humour is too sophisticated for this movie.
Kudos for the PR machine that made this movie such a monetary success. George Bush should hire them to promote his war. Honestly, I cut my losses at the planning of the wedding and couldn't finish this one.......I am assuming they got married? Further torture........watched...My Big Fat Greek Life last night (hoping they got some new writers). Big Zero.
Rating: 
Summary: Are you pragmatic or romantic? This might be the test.
Review: When every second person you meet asks you if you have seen a movie, you start to really wish they would release the movie on DVD sooner. Finally I was able to view a movie everyone I know has been telling me to see. EVEN people I don't know, like those in the line at the grocery store. Yes. The absolute enthusiasm is like nothing I've seen in a long time. I mean, strangers are asking me if I've seen this movie. Firstly, I think this movie is very popular because it presents a woman who is not a "pencil-thin waif" in the role of a romantic. She really is a woman we can all relate to. She has hips, she breaks out AND everyone in her family wants to know when she is going to get married and have kids. Hello, hello, hello reality. This is REAL. Any woman who has planned a wedding and actually gone through with it without going half insane, will completely relate to Toula. No matter her age. This movie has those universal themes in it all woman can relate to. And then we have Ian (John Corbett) who could turn any woman into a complete mute in his presence. Which is what happens when Toula and Ian first meet. Then, to top this all off. Ian not only does everything he can to please Toula, he says everything she NEEDS to hear. The fact is, she doesn't have to ask. This man really, really loves Toula. He is a woman's most romantic fantasy. So, if woman are running up to you asking you why you haven't seen this movie or bought your own copy, that is my take on WHY. This is one of those sweet and almost innocent movies that doesn't focus on sex scenes and all you will see is some kissing and a brief scene that is rather cute and funny when Toula "attacks" Ian. This movie gets right to the heart of the matter and deals with romance, family situations and love. The plot is relatively simple because basically this is a very short and relatively uncomplicated courtship. This is a story told by Toula and therefore it takes on a "diary" feel. I thought Toula changed a bit too fast from "mousy-hide-behind-counter" girl to "I'm-so-here" girl (scenes got cut??), but apart from that, Nia Vardalos is a very likeable actress who captured the innocence of Toula. I'm not sure how Ian turned out to be quite so wonderful with the types of parents they portray. I'd like to see parents portrayed in a different way than is recently acceptable. The "we-are-so-not-here-and-stare-into-space" parents are so not fun to watch onscreen. How would a wonderful man like Ian be produced by "those" two parents? Sorry, not going to happen in my mind. I think they made his parents far too insecure and unintelligent. I'm sorry to say but the Greek family was not "that" different than any other family. It was like Ian's family had never left the house or met anyone of another culture in our multicultural society. I think I laughed three or four times (where they keep making poor Ian say things in Greek he has no idea he is saying), but this was not a ROFLOL funny type movie. There are some serious issues they address well and other's they ignore. I mean, would you not want to first study up on a certain religion before being baptized into a completely new religion? It was like watching a "dating show" in some way and like "remembering" your own wedding in other ways. Hey, even if this was overhyped, it was worth watching to see John Corbett in a role of a completely romantic guy. Listen up guys out there. This is what will drive a woman wild. lol What woman would NOT DIE to have a man ask her father if he could ask her out. Let alone make an effort to fit into her family life and adjust to a completely new religion. They are onto something here, but this movie should have had a more complicated plot, not to mention a longer period of time between "mousy" to "I'm-so-here" girl. Overall, I loved it and can see why alomst everyone does. If movies are at least moving in this direction there may be some hope for 2003-2004. Just wondering: "Did sales for Windex triple?" They should have really played up the "Greek Food" aspects in this movie. They barely show you anything and had a great opportunity to promote Greek food, which is some of the most delicious food I've ever tasted. I grew up with Greek friends and my parents learned how to make lamb on the spit and let me tell you, it is delicious beyond all expectations. Also, pass the Baklava, please. It does seem Ian loves Greek food, which is what gives us a hint at the start that he will fit in perfectly. Plus, he has such a laid back "I'm-so-in control-of-this-situation" attitude. It is just divine. Basic Plot: Girl sees Boy
Boy sees Girl but she is mousy.
Girl becomes goddess of desire and intellectual princess of travel.
Man sees Girl and remembers her for inner charm.
Girl tries to hide from Boy knowing family will never approve of dashing hunk who is not Greek.
Boy takes all in stride and conquers all in path on way to sweeping girl off feet.
Girl is stunned, amazed and impressed and how could she not be? If you are a hopeless romantic, you will probably love it.
If your pragmatic nature has gotten a hold of you, you probably won't.
Rating:
Summary: It really is like this way with Greeks!
Review: This may sound bizarre but I am certain that is exactly the way Greek families are. I go to a diner in Phildelphia and a coupe in Jersey and the way they were in this move is RIGHT on the money. I really like the father he used to be on Room 222 if you can remeber that one. Really, I may not be Greek but the diners in Delaware Valley are all Greek owned so,it's like going home for me. A nice, sweet light movie - comical and a nice story too. I always end my reviews with a warning: when it comes on DVD be careful to get the right code I once got a few with DVD R2 (germany) and still cant' watch them except for my son in laws laptop that has a DVD player. I am Harold McInnes.
Rating:
Summary: Vulgar, full of cheap sex jokes and racist humor
Review: All of the characters in this film commit blasphemy in the big church desecration scene that should scare off parents interested in a good family film. The orgy scene at the Greek restaurant was tasteless and unnecessary. I enjoyed the crude joke about the donkey but thought they went too far during the "diaper" party. Offensive to the max but the lead actress was a babe.
Rating:
Summary: Very True Very Insulting
Review: This movie reiminds me of my 43 years of trying to understand Greeks. They are so involved in their conception that they are the best and so correct in all things that they have completely lost their brilliant beginnings. This is not pretend this is how they really are. Any non Greek is expected to make all the concessions and is treated like a non existant. To this day they don't know my name. Any person (even from their own culture) who tries to tell them that they have lost their remarkable beginnings is discredited in everyway. This culture that was the enlightenment of democracy doesn't treat its women equal. They even use their church to push their confused ways.
Rating:
Summary: hysterical - watched it 3 times!
Review: This comedy (romantic comedy?) centers around Toulah Portokalos, a 30-year old Greek-American woman who is constantly smothered by her loving mother Maria, her culturally obsessive father Gus, her sneaky brother Nick, her obnoxious cousins Angelo and Nikki, and her sultry aunt Boula. Toulah is unhappy with her loud and rambunctious family and has always wished that she could have a "normal" family. Then, Ian Miller, a teacher, walks into her life when he walks into her restaurant. Her family won't have Toulah dating a non-Greek, and when Ian proposes, Toulah's father is furious. In order for Toulah to be with the love of her life, she must pacify her father, win over her family, and impress Ian's parents - who are the epitome of the typical WASP. Everyone can relate to this movie because everyone's family is odd in various ways, whether they're Greek or not. When I saw this movie, I found eerie parallels between the Portokalos's and my father's Mediterranean family. The large family with 50-something cousins, the Greek Orthodox church with incomprehensible sermons, the endless hugging, the infinite amount of food, the strange supersititions, and the bizarre aunt who divulges creepy medical information ("Yes...inside the lump...was my twin...") seem all to familiar to me. After my father saw it he said it was way too exaggerated (IT WASN'T).
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