My Big Fat Greek Wedding Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)October 8th, 2002
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" – Oh-Pah!
by Homer Yen
(c) 2002
When the doting members of Toula's large family want to exclaim their exuberance, they yell "Oh-Pah!" When her best friends see that she has met Mr. Right, they yell "Oh-Pah!" When those that never thought Toula would get married finally sees her wed, they yell "Oh-Pah!" However, when her old-school Dad finds out who the groom is, he yells "Oh No!" But he's the only dissenting vote among all involved. MBFGW is an unexpected delight. When you see this film, you'll yell "Oh-Pah" too.
The film tells the story of a nebbish 30-year old who looks like she's about 45. Her name is Toula (Nia Vardalos) and she well-understands her potential fate as an aging, 100% Greek woman. She'll probably wind up working at her parents' restaurant (called Dancing Zorbas) for the rest of her life. Yet, that's about as appealing as the alternative, which is to "marry a Greek man, to have Greek children, and to feed everyone until the day she dies." There's more to life than just buttering garlic bread, waiting for life to start. One day, her heart leaps when a handsome man dines at her restaurant. It's time for her to start her life.
She eventually runs into the same handsome man many months later. His name is Ian (John Corbett), and it's very humorous to see that even after her minor transformation from sheltered girl to cosmopolitan woman, she is still like gelatin when it comes to matters of attraction.
The two slowly fall in love and want to marry. She'll face much resistance when she tries to explain her relationship to her Greek-centric Dad. He is against her marrying non-Greeks. Ian does what he can to appease him. Toula's strong-willed mom ("the man is the head of the house, but the woman is the neck. She can make the head turn anyway she wants") recognizes their love and tries to convince the Dad to allow the wedding to go forth. But the Dad, in his old-world glory, puts up obstacle after obstacle.
In addition, the highlighted cultural differences add an additional layer of comedy. For example, at a dinner party for the families, Ian's parents bring a bundt cake. Meanwhile, Toula's parents are roasting a lamb in an open flame pit in their front yard. Toula's wedding guests pack the entire side of the church to the point where they need bleachers. Ian's side, meanwhile, barely fills the first few rows.
Not only is the film genuinely funny in an innocent, sitcom kind of manner, but it has a terrific sense of charm too. This stems from the feeling of authenticity that is evoked by the extended family members (immediate and extended) that seem like real people as opposed to some Hollywood conjuration. Mandolins on the soundtrack accentuate the familial atmosphere. And the heavy Greek accents are cute too.
MBFGW is a real surprise. It makes you smile from beginning to end, the pace is brisk, the unfolding of the story is lucid, and the story is amazingly uncomplicated. If you're looking for a sweet comedy, don't look towards Alabama. Instead, head to a Wedding.
Grade: B+
S: 1 out of 3
L: 0 out of 3
V: 0 out of 3
More on 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'...
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
