Thank you to our special guest blogger - Todd Babcock.
Since the advent of the expression “chick flick” to the
lexicon of film sub-genres ‘the wedding film’ (that sub-genre of the romantic
comedy) has gotten swept up into it. There is, of course, a certain amount of
common sense to this cohabitation of the two styles as anyone will tell you
(without hesitation, I may recall) “weddings are all about the bride.”
Yet, in recent years we are seeing an evolution not just in
weddings but in wedding films. The groom, that silent sufferer of old to all
things romantic and sweet, has suddenly taken a step upon the stage of the
modern union with some voice and some style of his own. Thusly, we see
reflected, that male energy taking its place up on screen.
Of course, left to its own devices, the ‘wedding film
for guys’ can quickly devolve into simply, ‘the bachelor party flick’ which, of
course, can be the anti-thesis of a wedding film. It’s a slippery slope from
one last night with the guys to complete sabotage of the entire point of the
party.
But boys will be boys so let’s not be too hard on them. As
long as there is a happy ending, I propose these films for fun watching to
enjoy the wedding spirit and not put the guys in tuxes in the corner.
1. ‘THE WEDDING SINGER’ (1998)
This film has just that perfect blend of the modern wedding
movie. Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler), the wedding singer, gets stood up at the
altar and loses faith in romance. Enter Julia (Drew Barrymore), a caterer at
the same functions, who is preparing for her own nuptials to a cad. Meet-cute
and proceed.
‘The Wedding Singer’ manages to reel in men with the Sandler
gross out humor and gags but reign it in just enough to not be alienating to
the romanticism of the theme. Drew Barrymore is perfectly endearing as the good
girl following through with the principle of her engagement when her heart
tells her otherwise.
Much of the film enjoys showing a couple preparing and
working on weddings while having some fun at its expense.
(Favorite moment: Steve Buscemi as the beyond drunk best man
venting a lifetime of rage in his toast. Later when trying to heckle the
wedding singer simply chokes on his own inanity. “Hey, wedding singer!” -almost
falls over-“ Woooo!!!”)
2. ‘MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING’ (1997)
In my opinion this was an instant classic. Julliane (Julia
Roberts), a woman too smart, busy and professional to be conventionally in love
learns her best friend, Michael (Dylan McDermont) is engaged.
Waking her up to
feelings of loss and regret, she comes to the decision he is her only chance at
happiness and she must win him over.
Comedy ensues.
The director, PJ Hogan (‘Muriel’s Wedding’), manages a
quick-paced comedy that is surprisingly funny and original and need not be a
guilty pleasure for women.
(Favorite moment: In a sneaky moment the director manages to
slip in a musical number as Rupert Everett, posing as Julliane’s fiancé to make
Michael jealous, breaks into song in a fabricated story on how they met. “The
moment I wake up…”)
3. ‘THE WEDDING CRASHERS’ (2005)
John (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy (Vince Vaughan) are two
divorce attorneys who, ironically, in their free time go to weddings for their
entertainment. Problem is, they aren’t invited. Using these events for free
food, booze and girls all that changes when John actually falls for Claire
(Rachel McAdams) and starts breaking all their crashing rules.
Surely this seems like an un-conventional pick on a list of
wedding movies. The title alone may seem contrary to the theme. Yet, what can’t
be escaped in this film is the unabashed love of weddings by the movie and by
the characters. While the theme may be about taking advantage of the all the
work these events become, down deep, is a love of the celebration and the feel
good vibe one gets when actually being part of such a worthy celebration. And,
yes, we get a happy ending.
(Favorite moment: When John eyes Claire as a bridesmaid at
the altar poorly stifling her laughter at the couple’s inane vows. C’mon, we’ve
all been there. “You are the captain of my ship…”)
4. ‘FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL’ (1994)
Serial monogamist Charles (Hugh Grant) meets the perfect
woman, Carrie (Andie McDowell), at wedding number one of the title. They hit it
off perfectly; he falls madly, and then learns she is engaged and unattainable.
Three weddings and said funeral ensue as he watches those around him find love
as he grows more and more despondent.
For a wedding film this hits all the right notes ranging
from the comedic and absurd to sadness and loss. Since the protagonist is a man
we can certify it as male-friendly but a bride should be cautioned as this
certainly tip-toes dangerously close to the “chick flick”. You know your man by
now. If you’re not sure please proceed to the next title.
(Favorite moment: When Charles gives into to his romantic
futility and agrees to marry an ex flame he receives the news that Carrie is
now single just before he is to walk down the aisle. Putting his head down he
explodes a liturgy of curses in front of the priest. “Bugger, bugger, bugger!!!”)
Three men awake the day after a bachelor party for their
close friend with no memory of the occasion and have, in fact, lost the groom.
Place this one in the ‘slippery slope’ file of wedding
pictures.
Truly guy-centric with all its outlandish celebration of drunken
inanity and gross out humor. Yet one can’t lose sight that finding the groom
and getting him married is of the utmost importance. To wit, if there were no
love or sense of responsibility then there would be no obstacle for these men
to overcome. Not only that, but in the end, even the most ardent anti-marriage
character, Phil (Bradley Cooper), is married with a son and happily at that- he
just has to be ‘that guy’ we all have in our lives.
(Favorite moment: Every unfinished thought by Alan (Zach
Galifianakis) that sounds so disturbed but is never explored. “I’m not supposed
to be within two hundred feet of a school…or a Chuck E. Cheese.”)
6. ‘THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE’ (2009)
Henry (Eric Bana) is a time traveler who has no consistency
in his life until he meets Clare (Rachel McAdams) and they struggle to create a
marriage over the decades of lapses.
While this selection isn’t over the plate for a wedding film
it takes its theme of time, aging, and a couple maturing together through
difficult obstacles very sincerely. While men may enjoy the science fiction
aspect of the story in the end it truly is a message about love and commitment.
(You don’t have to tell him that, by the way)
And, yes, there is a wedding. This one should make the list
alone for its originality with “the groom almost misses the event” cliché we’ve
seen so many times upended.
(Favorite moment: When Henry gives Clare a winning lottery
ticket and she watches in guilt as the numbers are exposed and Henry calls them
out beforehand. It’s such a guilty pleasure. “My condition has a lot of
downsides. This isn’t one of them.”)
7. ‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’ (1993)
Young lovers Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and Claudio (Robert Sean
Leonard)are to be married in one week. To pass the time, they conspire with Don
Pedro (Denzel Washington)to set a "lover's trap" for Benedick
(Kenneth Branagh), an arrogant confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice( Emma Thomson),
his favorite sparring partner. Meanwhile, the evil Don Jon (Keanu Reeves)
conspires to break up the wedding by accusing Hero of infidelity. Comedy and
drama ensue in equal force.
Now this one depends on the guy, of course. In some circles
watching any Shakespeare movie on romance might be considered a chick flick but
this one is so brilliantly performed and directed to eschew such gender
boundaries. The writing ain’t bad either. Keep an eye out for Michael Keeton’s
slight homage to Monty Python’s shtick.
(Favorite moment: Every scene with Beatrice and Benedick.
The then-married couple of Branagh and Thompson were at their best here.
Beatrice, ”I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody
marks you.” Benedick, “What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?”)
A control-freak boss, Margaret (Sandra Bullock) faces
deportation to Canada when it is revealed she isn’t a US citizen. To fix the
situation she negotiates with her assistant, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) to marry
her. Complications and comedy ensue when Margaret learns there’s more to life,
love and Andrew than she had bargained for.
I was reluctant to even see this film at first, I’ll admit.
The pairing of its two stars and the premise seemed a little too cute and
packaged. That said, the charm and earned laughs won me over by the end along
with the supporting cast and a solid script. Makes a great case for finding
love in unexpected places and seeing people outside the paradigm of what they
do for a living.
(Favorite moment: When Margaret gets out of the shower and
falls into the arms of Andrew as the two feign disgust at every inch of
contact. “Margaret, will you marry me? Because I'd like to date you.”)
9. ‘JERRY MAGUIRE’ (1996)
When super sports agent and womanizer Jerry Maguire (Tom
Cruise) has a moral awakening when he writes a mission statement to his company
that finds him isolated and alone save his one client Rod (Cuba Gooding Jr.)
and his secretary, Dorothy (Renee Zellweger).
While the wedding in this film isn’t front and center the
marriage of Jerry and Dorothy is. A terrific movie that examines the deeper
resonance of what partnership entails while keeping the men engaged with sports
and business and a lot of comedy.
(Favorite moment: Regina King as Rod’s wife, Marcee, as she
watches him get injured in a pivotal game only to recover minutes later. She
goes from uncensored despair to blowing kisses to the screen. It’s simply
marvelous. “We just don’t work without him, Jerry!”)
10. ‘SHE’S HAVING A BABY’ (1988)
Jake (Kevin Bacon) and Kristy (Elizabeth McGovern) are newly
married and now face the ‘what next?’ dilemma as they adjust to suburban life
in Chicago. As the title suggests, she gets pregnant and the young couple have
to face the bigger questions that come along with that discovery.
This is one of the more under-rated movies in the late John
Hughes repertoire (‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘Pretty in Pink’, etal). It manages to
balance biting satire and broad comedy along with heart rending moments that
remind one of the point of it all.
(Favorite moment: Alec Baldwin, as Jake’s best friend, Davis
telling him in the car just before he walks into the church to get married that
he still has an out. It’s so brutal and cruel I have to admit I quoted this to
my own best friend at the same instance. Luckily, he got the reference. ; )
“You just give me the word and we are out of here.”)
Of course any list comes with flaws and omissions but it’s a
great place to start. Then again, if you’re reading this you probably have
those ten thousand other things you’re supposed to be doing. Maybe when Mr. Man
tries to pull the old “you plan it the way you want and I’ll show up” you can
suggest he track down some of these titles. Then, while watching, he may come
to some epiphany and work his darndest to make it the best day of your lives.
Or does that just happen in the movies?
