My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
DIRECTOR: Joel Zwick
CAST: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Andrea Martin, Louis Mandylor, Joey Fatone
REVIEW:
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a bit of the little engine that could of 2002 (ultimately grossing $368 million worldwide, against a budget of only $5 million), a small indie movie and a very personal (semi autobiographical) passion project for writer and star Nia Vardalos that got financial backing with the help of producers Rita Wilson and her husband Tom Hanks. In fact, the movie turned into a sleeper hit to the extent that it’s almost become overhyped. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a pleasant, unambitious concoction that goes down easily and pleasantly while remaining a trifle on the insubstantial side. It gets the bulk of its limited mileage out of its blend of cross-cultural observational comedy and vaguely Cinderella-esque story, but even at its slim hour and a half runtime, it starts to run out of places to go before we get to the titular wedding, which is indeed big and Greek. Continue reading
Heartbreakers (2001)
DIRECTOR: David Mirkin
CAST: Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Gene Hackman, Ray Liotta, Jason Lee
REVIEW:
Despite a little star power in its cast, Heartbreakers doesn’t really rise above television sitcom level, but it’s an entertaining enough diversion that serves up enough laughs to be enjoyable, at least until its overlong runtime and dragged-out third act starts to wear out its modest welcome. Continue reading
Return to Me (2000)
DIRECTOR: Bonnie Hunt
CAST: David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Carroll O’Connor, Bonnie Hunt, James Belushi, David Alan Grier, Robert Loggia, Joely Richardson
REVIEW:
Return to Me, from writer/director/co-star Bonnie Hunt, is an unabashedly old-fashioned romantic comedy-drama that might be a little too tame and sugary-sweet for cynics or viewers seeking something more “edgy” but will be a welcome counter-programming for viewers seeking something refreshingly warm and gentle and unabashedly “feel good”. It’s the kind of movie one could almost imagine (apart from some minor raunchy elements) being made in the 1950s starring the likes of Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart, but for those who appreciate kinder, gentler romantic comedy-dramas, it’s an enjoyable and pleasant morsel that goes down gently and easily, suffused with an almost impossible-to-dislike warmth and a dash of quirky but subdued comedy.
Continue reading10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
DIRECTOR: Gil Junger
CAST: Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, David Krumholtz, Andrew Keegan, Gabrielle Union, Larry Miller, Allison Janney
REVIEW:
That 10 Things I Hate About You possesses a little more wit and intelligence than your average high school romantic comedy might be less surprising when one realizes it’s a loose adaptation of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy The Taming of the Shrew. A “hip” script featuring some snappy one-liners and a likable and charismatic cast help enliven this into both one of the more enjoyable high school comedies, romantic comedies, and modernized Shakespeare adaptations floating around out there. Continue reading
Ever After (1998)
DIRECTOR: Andy Tennant
CAST: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Megan Dodds, Melanie Lynskey, Patrick Godfrey, Lee Ingleby, Timothy West, Judy Parfitt, Richard O’Brien
REVIEW:
Remakes are a dime a dozen, but among the unnecessary and superfluous variations of the same old story, Ever After—a take on the oft-told Cinderella story—proves that occasionally one comes along that’s fresh and irreverent enough to still have spunk and energy, to stand on its own and justify its own existence. A costume romantic comedy, Ever After is a frothy delight that demonstrates that it is possible to put a fresh spin on a classic just when it seems the premise has run out of anywhere interesting to go.
Continue readingWhile You Were Sleeping (1995)
DIRECTOR: Jon Turtletaub
CAST: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Jack Warden, Micole Mercurio, Glynis Johns, Jason Bernard, Michael Rispoli, Monica Keena, Ally Walker
REVIEW:
While a truly exceptional romantic comedy that does something special remains an elusive beast, Hollywood churns out mediocre entries like link sausages. While You Were Sleeping is such a film; it goes down pleasantly and easily for those who don’t demand too much of a movie as long as it indulges their inner romantic, but is assembled wholly from familiar ingredients and does nothing exceptional with any of them. Whether or not you’re the type to appreciate its modest charms, you probably know who you are.
Continue readingCircle of Friends (1995)
DIRECTOR: Pat O’Connor
CAST: Minnie Driver, Chris O’Donnell, Saffron Burrows, Geraldine O’Rawe, Colin Firth, Alan Cumming, Aidan Gillen
REVIEW:
An adaptation by Irish filmmaker Pat O’Connor of Maeve Binchy’s novel, Circle of Friends isn’t anything hugely ambitious or original, but it’s a charming, delightful romantic comedy/drama, heartwarming and a little nostalgic and poignant, anchored by an effervescent debut by lead actress Minnie Driver. Continue reading
My Father, The Hero (1994)
DIRECTOR: Steve Miner
CAST: Gerard Depardieu, Katherine Heigl, Dalton James, Faith Prince, Lauren Hutton, Stephen Tobolowsky, Emma Thompson
REVIEW:
My Father, the Hero is an English-language remake of a 1991 French comedy Mon père, ce héros (“My Father, The Hero”), even recasting Gerard Depardieu in the titular role, though surrounded with an American cast. I can’t comment on the original, but My Father, The Hero is a forgettable piece of fluff with a few mildly amusing moments but never rising above the level of the television sitcom it often feels like. Continue reading
The Princess Bride (1987)
DIRECTOR: Rob Reiner
CAST: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, Andre the Giant, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, Peter Falk, Fred Savage
REVIEW:
The Princess Bride has a few things about it that make it such a unique and beloved film. Firstly, it is that rare “family movie” that appeals equally to children and adults. Secondly, it is possible to enjoy it both as a traditional fairy tale and a tongue-in-cheek parody thereof. Continue reading