My Big Fat Greek Wedding

[The UserName]

10/10. Oh my god i wasn't expecting much when I went in but this movie was hilarious. The whole audience was cracking up. The dad was awesome and so was everyone else(Hey Ian! We're gonna kill ya! Ompah!)I was able to relate too, which was good. I highly recommend this.

[Dumb-Fokker-**]

Man, I really wanted to see this movie, but it isnt playing anywhere near me, so I guess I am shit-out-of-luck. My girlfriend is Greek, and she has her Ya-Ya (grandma) who lives right next door to her, and her mother does everything her Ya-Ya says, and her Ya-Ya hates anyone that isnt Greek - thank God her dad is Italian. But anyways, yeah. I am sure id be able to relate to the movie.

[A.J. Hakari]

Quite simply, this is the best movie I've seen so far this year. I'm a very cynical person, but even this flick had me smiling and laughing for the entire running time. It's a nice, utterly hilarious film that says that no matter how screwed up you think your family is, eventually you learn to embrace their quirks...that, and you're never alone.

**** out of **** from me.

UPDATE: Sept. 24, 2002

Since I first saw it, SIGNS has replaced GREEK WEDDING as my favorite film of the year, but I loved it so much, I took my mom to see it when it came back two months after I saw it. This is the only time I've seen a movie more than once in the theatre. I still love the hell out of this flick

[Mike]

I've never seen a preview or TV spot for it but I really want to see it. It isn't playing anywhere near me though so I'll probably have to wait until video. My cousin said it looks HILARIOUS though...

[The UserName]

bump

[XCoRyX]

this movie does look like an above average romance-comedy film and i will check it out on video.

[sloopyfan]

I judt saw it yesterday, and it wasn't really my first choice to see but I really enjoyed it 8/10. It was very funny and the characters all reminded me of people I knew. I highly reccomend it.

[Strider]

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Rated PG for Sensuality and Language

Director: Joel Zwick

Starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan, and Joey Fatone.

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/ifc_films/my_big_fat_greek_wedding/_group_photos/john_corbett2.jpg

Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is part of a very big Greek family. Her parents, especially her father, Gus (Michael Constantine) wants her to hurry up and find herself a nice Greek man to marry. Eventually, Toula begins to form a relationship with Ian Miller (John Corbett), who is far from being Greek. This upsets her family, so Toula tries her best to have her family accept the love of her life.

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" is such an enjoyable movie to watch. And this is mostly due to the script by Nia Vardalos, who also stars as the lead character. Her script is very clever, and filled with lots of wacky stuff, including her character's father believes a cut can be healed with a quick spray of Windex. If that doesn't define the word "wacky", I don't know what else does.

My only problem with the film was how the two lead characters come together, and eventually, decide to get married. Judging by what we are shown, both characters really don't know nothing about each other. And because of this, it's kind of unbelievable that these two would get married so quick. But then again, maybe they did know a lot about each other towards the end, but the film just did not feel that we needed to see any of that.

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" reminded me of a film ending with the same last word released earlier this year, "Monsoon Wedding", but just much more lighthearted. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" shows you a good time, delivers lots of laughs, and all in all, just a pure pleasure to sit through.

Running Time: 1 hour 34 minutes

Grade: 7/10

Strider

[chibichibirei]

I loved My Big Fat Greek Wedding,
it was so adorable..i knew right from the begining of the movie that it was going to be good http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

[pmclanew]

excccccellent movie...loved it. Dont have a place for it on my forums yet, but will soon...more on that later...
P
www.filmwurld.com (http://www.filmwurld.com)

[This message has been edited by pmclanew (edited 07-19-2002).]

[idealdiscountdude]

Woohoo!

My Big Fat Greek Wedding finally opens here in Halifax this weekend! I'll be checking it out within the next few days!

[Hypothermia]

Thumbs Up for MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING!

Ironically, I was just about to bump this up with my review because I just got around to seeing this, and it was a real feel-gooder. I thought the performances were honest, the writing was snappy & the overall feeling one takes away is rather like a satisfied sigh. It was a lot of simple fun.

My only gripe is with the terrible score, which is sure to date in a negative light. It goes from over-schmaltzy to 80s-bad. It spoiled some scenes for me, but I was able to ignore it and enjoy the film nonetheless.

The woman who played the Greek mother was a riot. Her performance stood out amongst the rest. I dunno if this has any award potential, but it sure was fun.

[Mike]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by idealdiscountdude:
Woohoo!

My Big Fat Greek Wedding finally opens here in Halifax this weekend! I'll be checking it out within the next few days!</font>

Cool, you'll have to let us know what you thought of it. I really want to see it, I hear it's hilarious.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I have to backpedal a bit about some things i said about this film in another post.


Although i have an aversion to culturally themed films(it could be called Micronesian Honeymoon and i would shudder),my father(yes i do have parents,i did'nt just crawl from under a rock)recommended this to me,and going by his analysis and synopsis,i have to say it sounds very funny.


Having dealt with a number of potential in laws in the past(and currently,man what am i thinking?) this definitely sounds entertaining,i'll definitely check it out.


Now what i really want to see is the fast runner.A film shot in Alaska in the ancient language of the intuits(not sure if i spelled that right)about a mystical journey a clan of intuits embarks on filled with spiritualism,enlightenment,love,loss,and all that other nice stuff,from what i've read in some reviews.


The only thing stopping me is that i'm too lazy to hop on the LIRR and make the trek into Manhattan.


Somehow,it sounds like a minimalist version of FOTR,but i can't say for sure.


Sorry,i got sidetracked,suffice to say i'll be checking out Wedding first chance i get,looks promising.

[FilmFreak87]

I was happily suprised. I read a few reviews including EW's D graded review, which made ne expect not too much, but I really enjoyed it. This is one of the funniest movies ever, and one of the best this year.

[meltingman]

Agreed. THE best or one of the best movies of the year so far! Good natured, Great characters and really fun to watch

[max]

Can't believe I haven't seen this movie. I'm still convinced it's a rental despite the great word-of-mouth.

[idealdiscountdude]

Finally, after months of waiting, I finally saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding and believe me, this, along with Frailty have got to be the year's biggest surprises.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a sweet and hilarious romantic comdey about a Greek woman who falls in love with a "Non Greek" man, much to the disappointment of her very Greek father.

First off, the two leads, Nia Vandalos and John Corbett are fantastic. They bring these two characters to life with such ease.

The writing is very witty and solid. The direction is perfect for the tone of the film, and the supporting cast including Andrea mArtin is perfect.

The film gives you a fun look at a traditional Greek family and their customs.

See this movie. You will laugh and smile throughout. It's a definetly one of the years biggest surprises!

9/10

[max]

To tell you the truth, I was more amused than entertained. While watching it I kept thinking: "Why is this cliched, predictable, stereotypical, saccharine piece of fluff so popular?" There is not one believable character, not one fresh line of dialogue, not one honest situation. But I smiled, I laughed, I even wanted to shed a tear or two (yeah right!). But, most of all, I was totally embarrassed to be in the theater. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING is the kind of amusement best kept secret in the comfort of one's living room. Don't be surprised if there's already a TV series in the works. MEET THE PORTOKALOS, anyone?

[blankpage]

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING
starring:Nia Vardalos,John Corbett,Michael Constantine,Lainie Kazan,Joey Fatone
Directed by:Joel Zwick
PG(for sensuality and language)

Story:A Thirty year old Greek women meets this man she really loves.The only problem about it is her Greek family doesn’t approve of the American.The women try’s to get her parents respect for him,comedy ensues.

In the world we live in it is hard to spot a comedy that does not include potty humour,myself it was fine at first,but now it is too predictable and real gross,hence Van Wilder.But luckily there has been so some comedies that do not use potty jokes.Films like About a Boy,and well this one as well.Walking into this film I was hoping for a good watch,this film has been getting very positive reviews,but viewing the trailers I was a bit optimistic.A comedy about the Greeks seemed as it would bore me,but usually when that happens it turns out that I quite enjoyed the film,and once again this was another time.

The good thing about this movie is that most of the jokes don’t get ruined.In many cases a comedy runs the same joke and the I tend to get annoyed by it after the second time.But with this film the timing and good writing makes the same jokes even more hilarious then the first time.Many of the jokes in the film were original and hilarious and appose to other films where they borrow a joke from an old Farrley Brothers film.

I would have to say that this film was the film I have had the most fun at all year.It takes you into a wonderful look at a Greek family.The dancing,the music,the food.Why it almost had me dancing during the film.Unfortunately there were other people watching the film,so I had to resist making a fool out of myself.But really people who look for time to such relax and have fun,should check this movie out.It has a great Greek soundtrack that is so nice to listen to.

The performances were nothing great,but really funny in their characters.Even Joey Fatone gives a hilarious as one of the Twenty-Two Cousins.”Hey Ian,were going to kill yeah!”.The writing is pretty good,but the film is all about the laughs,and good times.This film doesn’t try to be an Oscar film,it just entertains they heck out of myself and the audience.No more no less,and I give it great credit for that.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding was done with a budget with Five Million Dollars.Some unknowns star,the result.The most fun movie I have seen all year.The jokes never get lame or boring,and a really fun and hilarious look into the Greek life style.Most likely every person who walks in,will walk out with a smile.And end having a really fun time.

****1/2/*****

[darkface]

would you guys who've seen it, consider to be a good date movie? b/c i need to find a movie. And this seems to be a nice date one. But i'd like to get your schmoes opinions first. :confused:

[LilWolf]

This was the second best movie I saw this summer (the first being Signs) Great date movie!! I didn't know greek people could be so funny. All who haven't seen it must go out and do so.

[dellamorte dellamore]

If you liked this one,i heard Monsoon Wedding is even better.In fact i heard that Greek Wedding may have borrowed liberally from Monsoon's narrative.


Now i have yet to see MW,so it's only hearsay at this point.I am curious about it now that a number of people are saying MW is the superior film.Maybe the fact that it's subtitled hurt it's cause.


The similarities aren't necesarrily a bad thing,because i enjoyed Eat Drink Man Woman,and it's virtual scene for scene unofficial remake Tortilla Soup was also excellent,maybe even better.

[Fergus]

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING - (****/out of five) -

I’d been hearing about this "Indie Surprise Hit of the Year" since June, and I never have been attracted to seeing it, it just didn’t sound like it would be a great movie, so I never saw it. It came and went at my theater, then two weeks ago, they brought it back and now plays on the second largest screen there for now. I saw this two weekends ago, BTW. Looking at it now, I think it is probably one of the most predictable films I’ve seen, in terms of its structure. Expanding on "Strider's" thoughts that the relationship between Toula and Ian were shallow, I thought it was directly because it had a formula and followed that formula. The only thing I could see Vardalos doing with the material was making it interesting, and funny, which it has been hailed as. So, I expected a funny movie. What did I get? Predictably, it was a funny movie. :) In terms of laughter, I laughed more than I did for “About a Boy”, this years other superb comedy (though I still think AAB is a superior film). A lot of the humor is deadpan, a lot of it’s repetitious, but I didn’t get tired of this stuff. Any person who has a big family will most likely identify with someone in the movie (or possibly everyone), and that’s what made it so good. I’m also grateful that I had a great audience laughing with me every step of the way. Because of it's predictability, I’d see it MAYBE one more time. It might be good enough for many people to reap a longtime enjoyment from it, but not for me, its too predictable. That still doesn’t change the fact that I enjoyed myself immensely, I knew it was a surprise going in, but it was still a surpise walking out. I would give it a lower rating, perhaps a '7', considering the VERY SIMPLE storyline, but frankly, I had too much fun. And as Adam said, it made a cynic laugh, usually only comics like Woody Allen are able to do that, but the same happened for me (even though it isn't one of the best films of the year), and I'm not ashmed to admit it. And I will always love a particular line in the film, *in a thick Greek accent*, "You need to get married, you starting to look OLD."

[mattjk_17]

I heard quite a few good things about this one, so I decided to check it out for myself. I wasn't disappointed, one of the best romance/comedies I've seen in a while.

"What do you mean he don't eat no meat? That's ok I make Lamb!"

8.5/10

[Benny]

I FINALLY got to see this movie today, and it's incredible! What a purely fun flick to watch! I'll give my full thoughts later, but the entire cast, especially the dad and Tulla's aunt, are great! First film I'd give a 9/10 to so far this year!

[thompsoncory]

I saw MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING about a month ago and it is one of my favorites of this year thus far. It was really funny and cute, and the script was hilarious. Highly reccomended.

[tbone]

I've been waiting to see this, I'll have to sneak it in sometime.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Just wanted to say that i finally saw Monsoon Wedding and there is no way it comes close to GW.I don't know what critic said Monsoon was the better product ,but i think he was probably just trying to be contrarian in his asessment.


Stick with GW,even if it lifted certain elements from MW,it's the one that got it right.

[Jedi]

Well, I'm not a hype-driven person. I mean I don't say I like a movie because many people said. And I'm not good in writing reviews and thoughts. But, my word is; this film was hilarious. Never rediculous or pretending. Very lovavle charecters.
9/10

[AppleHuntr]

Am I the only one who didn't enjoy this film? Yes its charming, kinda sweet amd harmless, but there wasnt anything to it! Yes, we get it, YOURE GREEK! The jokes in the movie ALL revolve around them being greek! UGH! Instead of taking cheap shots at your culture, try coming up with actual material! The acting is amateurish (its nice that they used the same woman, Nia Vardalos, from the play, but a few acting pointers wouldnt've hurt). When I saw it, my reaction was"eh, nothing great, but not bad" but it is so successful and so mediocre its really getting on my nerves! Okay, it is NOT a bad movie, it just doesnt deserve the success its getting, and I know technically its an indie because of its studio, but besides that its completely mainstream so no wonder why its a success.

I just felt like ranting. 5/10.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I agree,although GW is a mildly entertaining offering,the success it's experiencing is unwarranted,and an inaccurate indicator of it's cinematic value.


It won't matter because safe as kittens cinema seems to be the order of the day right now,and this predictable,insufferable,mildly entertaining diversion fits the bill nicely for a number of people.


I understand your'e adverse reaction to all the attention it's receiving,and i've also had enough.This another example of take no chances,make everyone feel good cinema at it's worst.A middling effort that will fade into obscurity where it truly belongs once all the hype dies down.


I have an intense feeling of dread at the thought of a sequel,one that should be titled My miniature anorexic mexican divorce.



And yes,a number of the jokes will go over most persons heads,that's what i hate about culturally themed films,they are very narrow minded and insignifigant.I want to see films where an individual transcends their particular culture,instead of "rebelling" against it,then ultimately embracing it like a good little boy or girl.


What a spineless wimp that guy was,joining his fiancee's religion in order to get hitched.That's not funny to me,it's repulsive.Like the film,his character is a pandering idiot.Take a stand you dolt,at least you'll have your'e dignity and self respect.


Culture is a way to brainwash new generations,an attempt to get them into the same mindset as the one that came before it.

[AppleHuntr]

Originally posted by dellamorte dellamore
I agree,although GW is a mildly entertaining offering,the success it's experiencing is unwarranted,and an inaccurate indicator of it's cinematic value.


It won't matter because safe as kittens cinema seems to be the order of the day right now,and this predictable,insufferable,mildly entertaining diversion fits the bill nicely for a number of people.


I understand your'e adverse reaction to all the attention it's receiving,and i've also had enough.This another example of take no chances,make everyone feel good cinema at it's worst.A middling effort that will fade into obscurity where it truly belongs once all the hype dies down.


I have an intense feeling of dread at the thought of a sequel,one that should be titled My miniature anorexic mexican divorce.



And yes,a number of the jokes will go over most persons heads,that's what i hate about culturally themed films,they are very narrow minded and insignifigant.I want to see films where an individual transcends their particular culture,instead of "rebelling" against it,then ultimately embracing it like a good little boy or girl.


What a spineless wimp that guy was,joining his fiancee's religion in order to get hitched.That's not funny to me,it's repulsive.Like the film,his character is a pandering idiot.Take a stand you dolt,at least you'll have your'e dignity and self respect.


Culture is a way to brainwash new generations,an attempt to get them into the same mindset as the one that came before it.

My thoughts exactly, this is just a harmless, mediocre romantic comedy now why wont everybody just treat it like one and let it fade, disappear, be gone!

[Mike]

I have a date tomorrow night with this hot chick (no, not Rob Schneider ;)) who works at the video store. We will be going to the movies at a theater that only has 3 movies playing at once. We will either be seeing this or Harry Potter. The other movie playing is Treasure Planet and over my dead body will I ever see that movie, I don't care how hot she is, if she wants to see that movie then I'll just take her home.

[greenmm]

I think people are really enjoying it because first, it didn't get a lot of the studio hype prior to release, it just slowly caught on and second, many people can relate to it. I thought it was really entertaining and worth seeing....give it a shot

[Asokan]

It's clichéd (the crazy Greek characters).

It's simplistic (the lively Greeks and the boring Irishs).

It has no tension and hardly any plot (people get married, that's all, no possibility to spoil it for anyone).

It's a superficial sitcom blown to the proportions of a movie.

So WHY, WHY, WHY did I REALLY LIKE this movie?!?

Simple: because I liked the characters, the family dynamic, most of the gags and the pace was right-on. A undemanding, fun movie with no artistic ambition whatsoever. A genuine joy.