This Movie is Rated R – For Language and For Some Sexuality
I have to start off by saying; I have never understood big, lavish weddings. I mean a lot of these weddings cost as much as a down payment on a house. I would much rather have a house than a one-day event. Maybe I’m just too much of a realist, because I just don’t get it. Plus with so many marriages ending in divorce, that makes it seem even more pointless to spend so much.
If you read my post from Monday, you will know that my husband and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this week and that we were married in Las Vegas. Just goes to show you don’t need to have a big wedding to have a good marriage. I guess what I am trying to say is that the marriage is the important part, not the wedding.
Ok, after that rant, I should point out that I do like this movie, even though it is full of people having expensive weddings. Afterall, it’s not real life, so they can spend all the money they want and I don’t care. I’m pretty sure that I saw Hugh Grant for the first time in this movie. It’s probably safe to say it’s also the one that made him a household name here in America.
The movie starts with a group of friends getting ready for a wedding. We see Gareth (Simon Callow), Matthew (John Hannah), Tom (James Fleet) and Fiona (Kristin Scott Thomas) all calmly getting ready for the event; even having time for a sit down breakfast. Then we jump over to Charles (Hugh Grant) and Scarlett (Charlotte Coleman), who are still asleep. Charles wakes up, looks at his clock and realizes that they are late. He wakes up Scarlett; they both are getting dressed as they are running out the door (spewing expletives as they go). You will find this is pretty much a running theme throughout the movie.
Which brings us to wedding number one; Angus and Laura’s. It just so happens, that Charles is the bestman, luckily he makes it just in time for the ceremony. Unfortunately, he forgot to bring the rings. So he scrounges up two temporary substitutes from his friends; a huge, colorful, tacky heart shaped ring and a skull ring. I love that scene, it’s awkward and funny and everyone’s expressions are perfect. At the reception, Charles meets an American woman named Carrie (Andie MacDowell). There is a mutual attraction between them and he ends up spending the night with her.
Three months later and it’s time for the next wedding; Bernard and Lydia’s (who it just so happens hooked up at the last wedding). We see a repeat of Charles and Scarlett trying to make it there on time. This time it’s Scarlett that is a member of the wedding party. Unfortunately, in her rush to get there on time, she forgets to fasten up the back of her dress. So as she walks down the aisle it is gaping open in the back. However, this is totally overshadowed due to the fact that a new Vicar is performing the ceremony. In fact it’s his first time. Which of course means he makes many embarrassing mistakes, some of the people in attendance find it hysterical and others are mortified. Charles is overjoyed to see Carrie again; they haven’t seen each other since the last wedding. However, his mood is quickly dashed when she introduces him to her fiancée.
Obviously, there are two more weddings and a funeral to go, but I don’t want to give away anymore of the plot. Suffice it to say there will be more craziness and romance will bloom for some of the characters. We learn more about the group of friends that we were introduced to at the beginning of the movie. It’s a fun movie with a lot of craziness and quirky people. It’s also a very enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Charles – “I am so, so sorry Angus … inexcusable … I’ll be killing myself after the service if that’s any consolation.”
Fiona – “Do you think I’d hate him as much if he weren’t my brother?”
Scarlett – “Hi, my name’s Scarlett, don’t let me drink too much ‘cause I get really flirty.”
Matthew – “I remember the first time I saw Gareth on the dance floor, I feared lives would be lost.”
Charles – “Basically, you’re saying marriage is a way to get out of an embarrassing pause in conversation.”
Gareth – “The definitive icebreaker.”
Charles – “Excuse me, I think I’d better be where other people are not.”
Carrie – “Having a good night?”
Charles – “Yes, yes … it’s right up there with my father’s funeral for your entertainment value.”
Scarlett – “They say rubber’s mainly for perverts, don’t know why, it’s very practical actually. I mean you spill anything on it and it just comes right off. Suppose that could be why the perverts like it.”
Charles – “You may be right, it is dangerous. You know there’s nothing more off-putting at a wedding than a priest with an enormous erection.”
Charles – “You ruthlessly slept with me twice and never rang me.”
David – “You’re no longer my brother, you’re just some git I once met.”
Jan
Following is additional information about the show that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
I really liked Serena and David as a couple. I thought it was so sweet how Serena surprised him by learning sign language so she would be able to talk him without an interpreter. It was cute how she mangled words but he didn’t let on.
Matthew’s speech at Gareth’s funeral was heartbreaking. To lose the love of his life so suddenly like that is tragic. On top of that, their relationship had been kept pretty much in the closet. It wasn’t until the funeral that people realized how much they meant to each other. John did an absolutely phenomenal job on the delivery, it was so emotional.
What is wrong with Charles? Just because Carrie, the person he is in love with, married Hamish, that doesn’t mean he should settle for marrying Henrietta. Especially, since it’s obvious he’s not in love with her. I really didn’t like her, but neverless I felt bad for her. Nobody deserves to be treated like that. Makes you wonder what would have happened if his brother, David (David Bower) didn’t interrupted the Vicar during the “is there any reason why they should not be married” part.
