This Movie is Rated – PG For Sensuality and Language
Toula (Nia Vardalos) is a 30-year old single woman who still lives with her parents. She comes from a very traditional Greek family. The husband is the boss. The wife has babies, takes care of the house and cooks. The kids grow up to marry other Greeks and continue on in the same pattern.
She also works at her parent’s Greek restaurant as a hostess. She is unfulfilled and unhappy with her life. She wants to take some classes at the local college to learn more about computers. Her father is dead set against it. However, her mother helps convince him that it would be ok.
Toula is ecstatic to be going to school. It gives her a chance to get out from under her parent’s watchful eye for a bit and to be more of her own person. She even gives herself a makeover; trades her glasses for contacts, starts wearing makeup, a new hairstyle and new clothing.
Her next step is to get out of working at the restaurant. She comes up with the idea of working at her aunt and uncle’s travel agency instead. It would be something new and exciting for her, plus she could put her new found computer skills to use. Her mother and aunt agree to help convince her father to let her work at the agency. They carefully manipulate him so that he actually believes it was his great idea to begin with.
While working at the travel agency Toula catches the eye of Ian (John Corbett). He approaches her and after some conversation he asks her out. Ian is a teacher, an only child and is definitely not Greek. He takes her to dinner and they find they really enjoy each other’s company, which leads to more dates.
Toula knows her family would not be happy to learn that she is dating a non-Greek, so she tells them she is taking a pottery class at night. This allows her to continue dating Ian without anyone knowing about it. Of course, with the incredibly large family she has, it’s only a matter of time before someone catches them in the act.
Her father doesn’t take the news very well. His course of action is to throw as many single Greek men at her as he can. However, it doesn’t work, she continues to see Ian. The turning point is when Ian asks her to marry him. Of course she says yes. Toula’s father finally gives in after Ian agrees to be baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church. That way they can be married in the church.
Toula’s family seems to just take over all of the wedding planning. Invitations are printed, bridesmaid dresses are made, and a guest list is made; all without consulting the bride or groom. If they try to give their input, it is pretty much ignored. They end up being swept along in the frenzy.
Of course, what makes this movie fun is to see the vast differences between their two families. Toula’s Greek family is huge (yikes – she has 27 first cousins!), loud, is constantly trying to force feed people, has a house that resembles the Parthenon and many customs that seem rather odd to the outsider. Ian’s family is small (just him and his parents), quiet, reserved, has small intimate dinners and what would be considered a typical house. You can expect some uncomfortable and humorous moments whenever the two families interact.
This is a very enjoyable, cute movie. We get to watch Toula evolve into the woman she was meant to be. The love story between Toula and Ian is very sweet. There is also the wackiness of her family. It’s perfect for when you want to watch something that is light and fluffy.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Gus – “You better get married soon. You’re starting to look old.”
Toula – “My dad’s been saying that to me since I was fifteen. Because nice Greek girls are supposed to do three things in life, marry Greek boys, make Greek babies and feed everyone until the day we die.”
Toula – “A couple more years went by and my dad brought his mother over from Greece to live with us, because we weren’t weird enough.”
Toula – “Yeah, I was swept off of my feet by your very cool opening line of “hi”.”
Toula – “I don’t know about that. If I’d survived an old-lady @ss-kicking, I think I’d brag about it.”
Ian – “You’ve got a weird family, who doesn’t?”
Ian – “Did she spit on him?”
Toula – “Yeah, for good luck. Keeps the devil away.”
Maria – “Ian, are you hungry?”
Ian – “Uh, no, I already ate.”
Maria – “Okay, I make you something.”
Maria – “I gave you life so that you could live it.”
Toula – “I’m a snow beast.”
Ian – “Who did your makeup, your aunts?”
Toula – “Uh huh.”
Ian – “Drag queens could get a few tips from those aunts.”
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 liked how Toula’s brother, Nick, is inspired by what she has done with her life. He decides that he wants to pursue his love of art and signs up for some night classes at college.
Of course the house her parents bought them for a wedding present would be right next door to their own house. Apparantly, her dad hasn’t completely learned how to let go.
It is interesting to see that Toula is sending her daughter to Greek school even though she hated it as a child. I wonder what changed her mind about it?
