Advantages: some great laughs Disadvantages: may want to watch it more than once
...had been much hyped and my expectation level was high. Second time round it was far more enjoyable and I was able to enjoy the characters more. There is some great material in this movie and the quirks of some of the characters give it a certain charm that is appealing. Of these the ones who provide the most laughs are; Toula proud father who claims that he can relate any word back to it’s Greek origins and uses Windex to cure all ailments, his mother ... ...Cypriot I did wonder whether my own experiences had helped in the enjoyment of this film as some of the characters seemed quite real based upon my own experiences of family life and family weddings, certainly it is well observed with the obsession with feeding people and the entrepreneurial nature of people who run small family businesses.
This is a nice easygoing comedy which most of the family can enjoy, it caries a PG rating and runs for 90 minutes ...
atticusuk 18.05.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD)
Advantages: Charming film, funny, entertaining, nice range of features Disadvantages: Some small criticisms of the DVD extras
...HIRED IT
It was my daughter’s 10th birthday on April 13th and we had offered to hire a DVD for her and her three friends to watch. It had to be something the four of them agreed on and a film that was suitable for all ages (as my youngest daughter would be watching too and she’s not quite seven) and rated a U or a PG. So hubby dutifully took the assembled little ones off to Blockbuster to peruse the latest releases. They came back with ... ...all loved it and even my husband was laughing out loud and subsequently full of praise. So that evening, I watched it once the kids were in bed. The following evening, I spent about four hours watching the extra features too. So was My Big Fat Greek Wedding a big fat success or a small slim failure?
THE STORY
Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) lives in the United States, but she is Greek and is never allowed to forget it! She works in the family business ...
KarenUK 15.04.2003 (19.05.2003)
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Advantages: Innocent light hearted fun Disadvantages: none
...the Greek traditions.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a very good modern romantic comedy which follows the trials and tribulations of a young Greek woman, as she attempts to find her own way in life. It also highlights the initial difficulties that her boyfriend finds, as he attempts to fit into a Greek way of life. As you would expect, the plot is very predictable, but that shouldn't bother you, because the enjoyment of the film is all the little stories ... ...View Point
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In my eyes, the most important part of this film is that it is good clean humour. Unlike many modern comedies, it doesn't rely on throwing sexual innuendo at you, but provides the humour from subtle gags, such as when Gus is explaining that most words originate from the Greek language, or his over use of window cleaner to cure all ailments. Yes the film does touch on the sexual relationship between Toula ...
christianfilmcritic 02.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD)
Advantages: Is actually funny! Disadvantages: Cant really think of any!
...suspect she’s in love!
My Big Fat Greek wedding has more than its full share of comic gags. When the parents of the charming John come for a customary quiet meal they are struck among the whole family and an enormous party. That isn’t their only misfortune, they are force fed Ouzo and end up more sick then when they arrived! The amazingly talented, star studied family of Toula are absolutely astounding in this film, (including Andrea ... ...and are a true portrayal of a traditional, very large Greek overpowering family. Not only do they kiss everyone they meet, they are passionate about food, especially meat, which is also a disgust to them all when they discover John is a vegetarian, but all is solved when Toula’s Auntie suggests “Oh well, I’ll make lamb”
Even though Toula’s family are not impressed with Ian, he still keeps striving and even agrees to ...
Honey_Bee 27.11.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD)
Advantages: Genuinely funny, family friendly Disadvantages: General storyline is the old tried and tested romcom formula(but who cares?)
...I’ve sat through, either by my own stupid fault or in some kind of compromise deal (well how else would I get someone to indulge me in watching tripe like Jason X?) only to be left stony faced at the distinct lack of comedy and stony-hearted at the even more distinct lack of romance. Romcoms are generally neither “rom” nor “com” in my experience but rather, anything empty-headed, dull and otherwise unclassifiable gets shoved under this mantle. Sometimes ... ...this movie.
In essence, My Big Fat Greek Wedding presents you with a very simplistic plot which encompasses the tried and tested Cinderella/Pygmallion storyline once again but mixes it up with some likable characters, some genuinely funny lines/situations and some gentle culture clash ethnic humour which we can all appreciate. The movie opens with dowdy Greek 30-something Toula working at the family restaurant Dancing Zorba’s in downtown Chicago. ...
wampyrii 22.10.2002
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...if I don’t like it my daft brother will. Directed By: Joel Zwick
Produced By: Rita Wilson (Mrs Tom Hanks); Tom Hanks; Gary Goetzman
The Cast:
Toula Portokalos – Nia Vardalos
Maria Portokalos – Lainie Kazan
Gus Portokalos – Michael Constantine
Ian Miller – John Corbett
Nikki – Gia Carides
Nick Portokalos – Louis Mandylor
Yiayia – Bess Meisler
Rodney Miller – Bruce Gray
Harriet Miller ... ...Jayne Eastwood
Aunt Voula – Andrea Martin
Rated PG – For viewing with Parental/Guardian Guidance only
95 minutes long
DVD Extras were very disappointing: Trailer – original trailer for film; Cast and Filmmaker Commentary – Some of the cast talks about what the meant meant to them;
Soundbites; Production Notes – How it was produced
“Greek School” Trivia Track – learn more about Greek School
Only ...
herby30 30.09.2003
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Advantages: At times, truly hilarious Disadvantages: Very slightly OTT
...although I have informed my parents that my wedding will be nothing like this!
At the urging of my Dad (another Takis!) who had already seen this, we had a big fat Greek family trip to the cinema to see this phenomenal sleeper hit which crashed its way onto the UK silver screen on the 20th September. As this is a definite watch-at-home option, even if you don't feel like catching it at the cinema, I hope you take this op into account for rental ... ...a wedding involved! Too often these days, we here about what a terrible thing it is to be predictable. Maybe, but as long as the observation is sharp and the comedy well-timed, I see no harm in setting it in a familiar plot. This is a comedy that does exactly what it says on the tin, with no real surprises. It is the tale of Toula, a frumpy waitress (ahem, "seating hostess") in the family restaurant who wants more out of life, and runs into problems ...
ruth_cole 04.10.2002 (07.10.2002)
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As you may have guessed this film is mainly about Greece and it's culture but it isn't done in the way of a documentary but a comedy. Toula Portokolas is a 30 year old woman that works in her family restaurant Dancing Zorba's. Her family are very proud to be Greek, expecially her father Gus who loves to show how every word has originated from the Greek language, even if he has to make it up basically to say that without Greece there would be no English ... ...do three things in life which are getting married to a Greek man, making Greek babies and to feed everyone until the day she dies.
Toula had been single for 30 years and it didn't look like anything was going to change in a hurry. Her dad invited lots of different Greek men to the house hoping that finally she would like one of them but it didn't happen. A member of her family then tells her that her appearance resembles that of an old woman. This ...
ms19 30.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD)
Advantages: Great laughs, extremely entertaining Disadvantages: None
...picked this DVD up and my first impression was pure, undiluted regret about not having watched that before. Now, every time that my brother comes around, we just pop this in the DVD and laugh like a couple of maniacal hyenas. There is something very different about this movie; the atmosphere, the acting, the characters and personalities are all fresh and original. While not all actors gave top notch performances, a few endearing characters did more ... ...a long time in watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding is because I've read a couple of reviews which poked fun at Greek culture, based upon the movie. But when I finally watched it, I must admit that there are absolutely no racist connotations in the movie. Yes, it does poke fun at Toula's Greek family, but I would rather say that the audience gets to laugh with the family, and not at it. It is an extremely, extremely entertaining and diverting movie, ...
diamond_sparkles 04.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD)
Advantages: Absolutely Hilarious, Great for a girls night out Disadvantages: It might not appeal to men
...a ZIT!
BACKGROUND INFO...
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a romantic comedy. It was directed by Joel Zwick and produced by Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks wife went to see the play and was so impressed that she mentioned it to Tom and that was how they came to produce it.
THE MAIN CHARACTERS...
Toula is a dull, ugly, thirty something barely living her life. She dresses and acts so middle aged that its such a pleasant surprise to find that she ... ...is no easy feat!
MY OP...
This is a lovely film, very funny and witty. My favourite character would have to be Toula's stuck in Greece father. He was hilarious with his old traditional beliefs and trying to be the man of the house when his wife really wore the trousers. I would rate this 7 out of 10 but more of a must see DVD than at the cinema. Might be good for a girls night out (which is what I did!) but I don't think it would appeal to alot ...
Katie-Jane 23.09.2002
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Advantages: Had John Corbett in it and was a gentle, sweet tale. Disadvantages: Not much chemistry from the two leads, John Corbett didn't live up to Sex in the City previous form
...– Aunt Voula
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Cert PG
Well, I saw this when feeling sleepy and it could explain my lack of enthusiasm for it when I began watching it but I didn’t warm to it too well and laughed only slightly. Audience participation wasn’t massive until about half way through the film so I am guessing that some of them had the same problem as me. There was a group of giggling girls who had had a few drinks before coming ... ...think that they would behave like this at all. I am not sure they would approve of the fun made of their culture either. But maybe I’m just a fuddy duddy at heart too. (I just came back from my oily baptism into the Greek Church today!). ...
Fieryreds 21.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD)
Advantages: Funny, witty, wholly entertaining Disadvantages: Not long enough
...her grandparents for the night, my wife and I sparred over who would have the casting vote on which film we would see at the cinema that night. After a couple of tantrums (I kid you not), my wife won, and I grudgingly went along to see this new release, knowing fine well that my wife's motivation to see this film was John Corbett (aka Aidan from Sex & The City), and it was only after she agreed not to drool at the sight of him, that I left the house!
... ...chose to see it", when my wife complained how poor it was on the way home......Oh how wrong was I!
The film started by introducing us to 30 year old Greek spinster (For)Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos). A spinster at 30?? Surely not I hear you cry! Well 30 and unmarried is near enough unheard of in the Greek culture. As Tula is quick to tell us, "Greek women are expected to marry good Greek boys, make lots of Greek babies, and cook for everyone until ...
nicanddarrell 23.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD)
Advantages: Very Funny and Very Real! Disadvantages: The time flew by but it was long enough.
...with Pete watching Insomnia (and my god is that a bad film). The trailer was pretty simple showing the female character that fell in love (American Love story then?) with an American man (Aiden from Sex in the city). The trailer quickly revealed the fact that she was from a Greek family (sooooo that’s why it’s called My Big Fat Greek Wedding). She introduces him to the GREEK family…for those of you who don’t know Greek people ... ...fairly. After the play of my big fat Greek wedding was spotted and decided to be made to a film he heard about auditions and went down just like the others-and obviously got the part!
The other key cast are: (I don’t really know these actors’ backgrounds)
Michael Constantine (Gus)
Andrea Martin (Aunt Voula)
Louis Mandylor (Nick Portokalos)
~The Film~
So Mum and I decided to go to watch the film (obviously it so looks like a girly ...
Katecgreen 29.09.2002
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Advantages: Hilarious in parts Disadvantages: Takes a while to get going
...(24th Oct.)
A few of my friends had recommended it to me, saying that I would find it extremely funny. One friend had even been to see it twice, she had enjoyed it that much.
I didn't know much about it before I saw it. Just that it was a comedy about a woman with a Greek family, marrying a Non-Greek man.
>>The Cast<<
Nia Varalos - Toula Portokalos
John Corbett - Ian Miller
Michael Constantine - Gus Portokalos
Lainie Kazan - Maria Portokalos
... ...and hysterical in parts. My favourite character was Gus, who in my eyes stole the show. His comic timing was brilliant, and his insistence that 'Everything comes from Greece' had me in stitches. I also thought Louis Mandylor as Toula's brother Nick, was very good. For those *NSync fans out there, Joey Fatone has a small part as Toula's cousin and is actually rather good!!
It's hard to say much else, without ruining it for you, but if you fancy a ...
gearysgirl 29.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD)
Advantages: A funny movie Disadvantages: None that I can think of.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding was Directed by Joel Zwick and produced by Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks. This is a Canadian film and was released this in April 2002. It cost about $3,000,000.00 CAD to make. The film is about a caring Father and his relationship between his daughter and the man she loves. I believe you will love every second of the 95 minutes it takes to watch this film.
~O THE STARS, (from the newspaper clipping) o~
"Nia Vardalos - Toula ... ...hasn't seen it.
~O MY FAVOURITE PART O~
This Film is filled with cute scenes. My favourite is when the "Waspy", (White Anglo Saxon People), Miller Family go to Toula's House for the first time. When they arrive there are one hundred people standing in the front yard watching an entire sheep being roasted over an open bar-b-cue pit.
Another scene I loved was the dancing and singing at the wedding. ~O WHY THIS FILM WAS MADE o~
Nia Vardalos was ...
MRS.CANADA 10.09.2002 (09.10.2002)
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It's not surprising thatMy Big Fat Greek Weddinggrew more popular over the course of its ... more
US theatrical release (whereas most blockbusters open big and then drop precipitously)--not only does it have believable situations and engaging characters, but th...
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Everyone in the Portokalos family worries about Toula. Still unmarried at 30-years old, ... more
she works at Dancing Zorba's, the Greek restaurant owned by her parents, and smells like garlic bread. Her days are drab and dull, just like her hair, her clothes, ...
It's not surprising thatMy Big Fat Greek Weddinggrew more popular over the course of its ... more
US theatrical release (whereas most blockbusters open big and then drop precipitously)--not only does it have believable situations and engaging characters, but th...
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson