My Big Fat Greek Wedding-2002
Director Joel Zwick
Starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett
Scott’s Review #806
Reviewed August 28, 2018
Grade: B+
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 romantic comedy that became a surprising sleeper hit at the time of its release.
A novel story idea, the film was even recognized with a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination.
The film achieved success the old-fashioned way by garnering word-of-mouth buzz despite little promotion.
Good-natured, earnest, and tender, the film was nonetheless marred by an abysmal sequel and short-lived television series- a lesson learned in leaving well enough alone.
Comedian Nia Vardalos reportedly wrote the story as a one-woman play, and word of mouth among Hollywood A-list celebrities led to a film version starring Vardalos herself.
This casting choice adds enormous authenticity, as the writer’s vision shines through on screen.
The film has a fresh, modern feel. Otherwise, the supporting cast is brilliant and perfectly selected. From handsome love interest John Corbett to veterans like Lainie Kazan and Andrea Martin, everyone plays their part to the hilt and seems to be having a ball with the comic elements.
Dowdy Toula Portokalos is a lonely thirty-year-old Greek woman, considered the black sheep of her family. Of traditional roots, she is expected to marry and bear children as quickly as possible.
Toula still lives at home and works in the family restaurant in bustling Chicago, yearning for something more out of life.
When she sees dashing school teacher Ian Miller (Corbett) in the restaurant one day, she makes an embarrassing attempt to catch his attention.
Through a computer class, Toula blossoms and finally lands her man, but the drama is just beginning as the couples and their individual families’ differing cultures collide.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is very well written, and, again, the authenticity shines through in each scene. Admittedly, it often feels like a television sitcom, and many scenes play for obvious laughs, but the laughs work.
The funniest of these scenes is when Toula and Ian (now engaged) decide to invite his parents to dinner at her parents’ house.
Predictably, events go awry as his parents, conservative and reserved, do not mesh well with hers-festive and bombastic.
Vardalos and Corbett may not have the greatest chemistry in film history, but the build-up and the romance are so charming that we can overlook the lack of lustful vigor or the sexual tension between the pair.
The film feels more like a PG-rated Cinderella story than anything heavier. Predictably, the couple shares a happily-ever-after ending.
As much of a jewel as My Big Fat Greek Wedding was in 2002, the risk with a film of this nature is to hold up well over time. Specifically, in the romantic comedy genre, films of this ilk have a short shelf life (if they are deemed relevant at all).
The humorous Windex references may be lost on audiences over time or grow stale.
Some may deem My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) fluff, largely because of the romantic comedy genre it falls into.
But it’s worth more than that, mainly because of the fresh, genuine use of culture and diverse backgrounds.
The film has a quality most standard “rom coms” lack: authenticity. Yes, it contains Greek stereotypes, but the overall vibe of the film is that of a sunny, fun, happy experience.
An uplifting film can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered.
Oscar Nominations: Best Original Screenplay
Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Debut Performance- Nia Vardalos (won)
