Director: Justin Zackham.
Starring: Ben Barnes, Amanda Seyfried, Topher Grace, Katherine Heigl, Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams.
Running Time: 89 minutes.
Synopsis: A charmingly modern family try to survive a weekend wedding celebration that has the potential to become a full-blown fiasco.
You would think a film starring so many Hollywood legends would have something special about it, right? You would be completely wrong. While the original French film (MON FRERE SE MARIE) was well received, THE BIG WEDDING has been lost in translation.
To the amusement of their adult children and friends, long divorced couple Don (Robert De Niro) and Ellie Griffin (Diane Keaton) are once again forced to play the happy couple for the sake of their adopted son, after his ultra-conservative biological mother unexpectedly decides to fly halfway across the world to attend his wedding. With the guests looking on, the Griffins are hilariously forced to confront their past, present and future – and hopefully avoid killing each other in the process.
It almost has a television show arc to it; an ex-husband and wife have been told to act like they are still together because of their adoptive son’s birthmother and her high moral standards. We have all the characters, the offensive but ‘ooh isn’t he lovable’ father, the cool step-mum, the ex-wife that seems to be incredibly understanding about it. And, of course, who can forget the kids? The accomplished son whose only goal seems to be losing his virginity, added with the tough girl daughter who has split up with her fiancé because she can’t get pregnant. Throw in an even more perfect adopted son (it doesn’t matter how much you darken him up, Ben Barnes and Topher Grace look too much alike) who’s about to get married and it’s all one big mess.
It is truly amazing how they got such a stellar cast to come together on this project – it must have paid very well. With many scenes hardly played out and constantly shifting from A to B, it feels like you’re being quickly shown around before somebody kicks you out and tells you it’s time to go. THE BIG WEDDING tries to be the feel good summer comedy that everyone is dying to love, but it misses the mark completely. Sadly, it’s living proof that great talent can’t save a bad idea.
THE BIG WEDDING is released in UK cinemas on May 29th.
