My Big Fat Greek Wedding [2002]
Directed by: Joel Zwick
Written by: Nia Vardalos
Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Louis Mandylor, Andrea Martin, Ian Gómez
There’s nothing racy or very offensive going on in MBFGW, but it’s certainly not a movie aimed at children. However (and for reasons I can’t explain) I loved it as a kid; you could say I had a mild obsession. I was a fan of Vardalos’s self-deprecating humor and the loud, warm and over-eating Portokalos family. I watched this film again after many years and, while it doesn’t bounce with the same magic that conquered me as a preteen, it has held up very well (although, for some reason, it looks way older than it actually is). I wish Nia Vardalos would make a comeback, at least to penning scripts.
Vardalos the actress overdoes it a bit, but Vardalos the writer is in top form in this enjoyable comedy, a funny look into an interethnic relationship, and an All-American professor’s attempt to gain the acceptance of his loved one’s huge, noisy, ultra-Greek family. Her biggest mistake, though, is “Costa”, father to her character of “Toula”. He’s a racist, sexist, close-minded prick but the movie is bent on showing him as endearing. Michael Constantine’s irritating portrayal doesn’t help matters. Kazan, Martin, Carides and Fatone (yes, from *NSYNC) are the standouts among the largely-unknown cast. It doesn’t have quite the same effect on me as it did 10 years ago, but the humor and lively soundtrack still make me smile like an idiot.
Fun Fact: Me and my family visited Sea World on Easter many years ago. We were riding the chairlift, and we randomly shouted “Christos Anesti!” (Christ is Risen!), as they do in the movie (1:00-2:30 in the video below).
Turns out the family going in the opposite direction, facing us, was actually Greek (or at least big MBFGW fans) and enthusiastically responded with an “Alithos Anesti!” (He Has Risen Indeed!) It was such a weird coincidence.
I remember watching and reviewing this on February 25th this year (I have somehow memorized EVERY film I watched and reviewed on Oscar weekend, in the order in which I watched and reviewed them: Ordinary People on the evening of Friday the 24th, this film on the afternoon of Saturday the 25th, Adaptation. on the same evening, and Mel Brooks’s The Producers on THE day). I also recall your surprise with my unfavorable feedback toward the film, and that you love it. It’s nice to see a complete assessment of your thoughts. I laughed out loud at your “Christos Anesti!” / “Alithos Anesti!” incident.
Once tomorrow is here, it will have been EXACTLY six months (that’s pretty neat) since I wrote up about this one. There’s literally two things I remember about it: Michael Constantine’s odd fascination with Windex; John Corbett being tricked into shouting “I have three testicles!” in Greek; and the (predictable) ending.
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I just love this film so much. Maybe it’s nostalgia, I don’t know. Bummer you didn’t quite enjoy it, but hey, at least you had a good laugh from reading my review! haha
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Yup haha!!
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I quite enjoyed this one when I saw it ages ago, it’s a cute movie.
Btw, I like your new banner Fernando!
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Thank your, Ruth! Glad you liked it!
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Can’t say this has ever appealed Fernando but I may give it a go someday. 3.5 is a fair rating. I trust your judgment.
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I remember watching this when it first came out on DCS and I really wondered what the fuss was all about. It was terribly overrated and I didn’t remember laughing at all. Maybe a second look is required.
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Yeah, maybe you’ll like it a bit more with a second viewing. If not, well, I guess it’s not for everyone.
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Thanks, Mark. Maybe you should give it a chance. It’s fairly light but very funny.
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This is a fun rom-com, and uses culture as a fine metaphor for romance between two people. Good pick and review, Fernando.
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Thanks, Michael! Appreciate it 🙂
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