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Four Weddings and a Funeral

Director Mike Newell's witty, hysterical, memorable, heart-pulling scenes make Four Weddings and a Funeral a movie that is sharp, honest, and very funny.

An undeniable appetite for more comes from watching this yummy English dish served with flashy comedy, a heavy dose of romance, and dialogue that is so quirky and sweet, it's simply genius!

Charles (Hugh Grant) by definition is a bachelor and has sworn to uphold that standing--although he's also starting to agonize and show signs of envy over the deep commitment two people can make in Holy Matrimony.

Will these weddings start to rub off on this very anti-commitment gentleman?

Charles may just have ended his commitment phobia when he meets an extraordinary lady at the first wedding, an American named Carrie (Andie MacDowell) whom he's gone dizzy over.

But has this affected him too late in realizing that this is the woman he should be with, or has it just opened him to the realization that it's all right to want, need, and hope for love, and not be afraid to leap into it? If so, will he find it with the right lady?

Carrie, on the other hand, has had more of her share in the romance category and doesn't like to play games. If she wants something, and that something wants her, then go for it! It might even be the best and most important decision to be made.

Since Carrie and Charles' rendezvous ended rather suddenly and without potential to go further, Carrie is now engaged to another man by the time a second wedding has approached.

Charles has lots of support from his friends and especially his brother David (David Bower) in an incredibly caring, yet awfully hurtful and embarrassing scene (which I won't mention) to help guide him in some of his most challenging times as a wannabe (or maybe not) bachelor.

Hugh Grant is at the top of his game in this performance. He plays the baffled, bewildered, silver-tongued fellow who is very likable. He wears his performance with comfort like a good robe and slippers.

Andie MacDowell played a head-turning role, showing she could give this role the intelligence, humor, and sophistication it deserved.

Matthew (John Hannah) is another actor who I'm finding to be one of my favorites. He brings such gusto and genuine passion to his roles--especially in the scene where he gives that very emotional eulogy.

Tom (James Fleet) is the wandering love-starved gent of the group, who desperately hopes to find love one day. Bravo to his character for never giving up!

Now Gareth (Simon Callow)... this is guy you may have actually seen at a real wedding. C'mon now think about it. There's usually a hyper, fun, life-of-the-party type person who helps to kick off the event without any qualms. What an effervescent fellow he was!

Fiona's (Kristin Scott Thomas) character was strung tighter than a ball of twine! Desperate, so desperate to get on with her love life, she finds it hard to do so when the only love she still thinks about is an old flame.

Scarlet (Charlotte Coleman) was a frisky, hot-peppered personality who had some of the flashiest, funniest moments. Her character also showed a deeply emotional and centered look upon life.

And, of course, one of the most bellyaching laugh attacks came from Father Gerald (Rowan Atkinson) Just fantastic! He made my eyes water so hard, I had to rewind the movie just so I could hear the rest of what was being said. He was the needle in the haystack that just kept sticking you with laugh after laugh!

I'm in heaven every time I watch this movie as I get completely knocked over with the landscape. Sometimes words are not enough to describe how beautiful and pure nature is.

Well, since this is a movie with weddings being the theme, there are many fashionable examples of that. The men looked smashing, I must say that. The ladies were vividly explosive in adorning their bodies with luscious fabrics, hats, and colors.

Elton John leads the music with many sentimental goodies that bring richness and fun to the soundtrack, along with one of my favorite singers, Sting.

W. H. Auden's poem "Funeral Blues" was one of the most well-placed pieces of written art and was stunningly spoken with sincerity, pain, and great love by John Hannah's character. A moving moment that, for me, will place that scene in movie-making history. It really was just that lovely.

This movie hugs you with friendship, kisses you with love, and shows the true spirit of supporting each other in time of need. A beautiful movie that embraces these emotions throughout, and never gets slighted by the use of them.

Written by: Lynda Dale MacLean

Reviewers Rating: 9
Reader's Rating: 8.84
Reader's Votes: 12

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