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Blah, blah, blah - I'm bored and etc. Anybody got a car they want washing?
Member since:03.10.2000
Reviews:231
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Sometimes you just take a dislike to 'stars'. Their face is plastered on everything, they're forever being touted as 'the next big thing', and ultimately they're utterly useless. In my case this is the situation with 'stars' such as Martin Lawrence and, more importantly today, Adam Sandler. Sandler hasn't ever done anything to offend me personnaly but his films seemed to appear by the bucket load and the media were constantly 'ooo'ing and 'ahh'ing all over him. Then The Wedding Singer appears in the TV listings. So while Mrs TheNeil prepares for an evening of 'entertainment', Mr TheNeil gathers a large stack of paperwork and computing mags and settles down for an evening of nodding and saying 'yes dear'.
Failed rock star Robbie Hart has fallen far from grace. The days of playing to sell out stadiums are long gone and he and his band are now reduced to singing at weddings. Not to worry though, Robbie is great at his job and the people love him. Of course the fact that he's about to get hitched himself doesn't spoil things in the slightest and even the appearance of beautiful waitress Julia can't distract him from his bride to be. Shame that she calls it off and
leaves poor Robbie standing at the alter. Heartbroken Robbie turns to Julia for friendship (she's getting married to someone else anyway) and manages to pick himself up and carry on. But is Julia more than just a friend? She's getting married to the wrong guy (in every way) but can fate step to the fore and let the course of true love run smooth? And who'd want to marry a wedding singer anyway?
The romantic comedy is not a genre that I generally find overly enjoyable (hence the prepared paperwork beforehand) but somehow The Wedding SInger manages to be far more comedy than romance. Actually that's something of a mis-truth as it manages to do both things very well. It sucks you in with the comedy and before you know it, you're stuck in romance-ville. Again though that's something of a fib as I'm making The Wedding Singer sound like a slushy romantic vomit-fest...it isn't.
Knowing it's own audience and limitations, The Wedding Singer concentrates on being a comedy first and foremost. Ok so we're not talking riotous 'jokes at any expense' comedy but a comedy none the less. It's got a good streak of humour running through it this rears it's head all over the place. Moments that could have been slow and sloppy get a kick from a well placed line or a neat little sight gag. This is what makes it work as the film tries desperately hard to avoid being too lovey dovey, and manages it.
The story is one of those true love affairs but it's, as I've said, well handled. The 80's setting is a little confusing to start with ('Why?' is the question you kep asking throughout) but actually serves as a very good backdrop and does allow a lot of (cheap) gags to be shoehorned in (who can fail to laugh at an ageing limo driver trying to be 'cool' by wearing a single sequinned glove?). It also allows a total retro atmosphere to creep in. The clothes, the music, and everything that typifies the 80's is used to good effect. Perhaps it tries to use The Wedding Singer as an excuse to poke fun at the era, and if it does so what? As a piece of entertainment it works so we have to let it be what it wants to be.
Adam Sandler (he of the despised list) takes the lead as Robbie and despite bearing a resemblance to the ever annoying David Schwimmer (eurgh) he's far better than I expected. He has a comic timing and delivery that, while not being Sid James level, certainly works well. Sandler fits in well with the period and does a good job in the lead. More importantly though , he works well with co-star Drew Barrymore. The chemistry between the two is essential to the film and although a sexual side of things rarely pops up (oo-er) the pair do have an awful lot of fun together and that injects an energy that makes the film work. Barrymore is good value and although not my taste, she works well.
Christine Taylor is radiant as Holly and Matthew Glave is excellently repugant as Julia's intended Glenn. The rest of the cast give great support and what could have turned into a romantic slush fest is helped not only by the underlying script but by the cast's interpretation of it. Of special note though is the fabulous (and unbilled) Steve Buscemi.
Frank Coraci creates a good little film. Ok so it won't be bothering the Oscar judges but The Wedding Singer is never the less an enjoyable movie. The direction keeps the story flowing nicely and even manages to inject a good level of drama: It becomes possible that Robbie WON'T win Julia. Ok so it's not a side splitting movie but it does have it's moments and Coraci sets it up very well.
Ok so it's not a top of the line movie but for it's intended audience it's a great film. In fact it's a great film for most audiences. Yes those of us who lived through the 80's will spot little extra bits here and there but it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Certainly worth a look but whether it makes me want to see Sandler again is another matter
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Production Year: 2000 - Comedy - Director: David Raynr - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Shane West, Marla Sokoloff, James Franco, Colin Hanks, Christine Lakin, Aaron Paul
Another one I haven't seen. On the telly was it? Missed that one. Only seen Sandler in "Little Nicky" where he was mildly amusing; sounds like this film is pitched at about the same level. Will look out for it next time round - TT.
rayliu 06.03.2002 11:48
Hi, glad to see you back! Anyway, I enjoyed this film just for the 80's soundtrack and seeing the boy george lookalike re-doing that song over and over again, and of course the rolled up sleeves miami vice look! hahaha! Regards, Ray
Deni 05.03.2002 16:50
great op.I really enjoyed this film,very amusing. cheers Deni
Don't just think ofThe Wedding Singeras an Adam Sandler comedy--though it most certainly ... more
is that. But also think of it as the tip of the wave of the 1980s nostalgia craze that followed on the heels of the 1970s nostalgia craze. Set in the post-disco, n...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Don't just think ofThe Wedding Singeras an Adam Sandler comedy--though it most certainly ... more
is that. But also think of it as the tip of the wave of the 1980s nostalgia craze that followed on the heels of the 1970s nostalgia craze. Set in the post-disco, n...
Postage & Packaging: £2.69 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Don't just think ofThe Wedding Singeras an Adam Sandler comedy--though it most certainly ... more
is that. But also think of it as the tip of the wave of the 1980s nostalgia craze. Set in the post-disco, new wave era, the film tells the story of Robbie Hart (Sa...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Great music you can sing along too (if your old enough) Funny script with lots of romance thrown in too. Disadvantages: Well if you didn't like the 80's music, then this may not appeal to you. You might be shocked at the dress sense, lol.
niclemamy 12.10.2001 (12.10.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Wedding Singer (DVD)
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