Four Weddings and a Funeral-1994

Director Mike Newell

Starring Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell

Scott’s Review #1,444

Reviewed October 8, 2024

Grade: A-

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) is a surprisingly fresh, delightful romantic comedy and one of the best offerings of the 1990s.

It likely inspired Love, Actually (2003), which I saw recently, and the two would pair well.

Both are British or set in the London area and have an English sophistication often lacking in American rom-coms.

The key to Four Weddings and a Funeral’s success is the writing. Real-life storylines emerge, and relatable, awkward, flawed characters grace the page.

Lovelorn audience members who may have lost love or suffered from loneliness may relate most.

This is a huge win for a genre that often plays it safe or revels in predictability. Crisp writing goes a long way.

Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell play the main couple, making them household names and propelling them to a successful decade of similar films, especially Grant.

Lovable Englishman Charles (Grant) and his group of friends seem to be unlucky in love. They frequently gather at parties or weddings, never finding what they truly want, and end up linked for life.

When Charles meets a beautiful American named Carrie (Andie MacDowell) at a wedding, he thinks his luck may have changed. But after one magical night, Carrie, deemed ‘slutty’ returns to the States, ending what might have been a wonderful long-term relationship.

As Charles and Carrie’s paths continue to cross, usually at someone’s wedding and one funeral, Charles believes they are meant to be together, even if their timing always seems to be off.

Grant shines in his role despite believing his performance was hideous, at least before the film received many accolades.

Mike Newell, the director, provided conflicting direction, making it hard for Grant to play the role in a particular way.

His stuttering and confusion, though, make his character endearing.

MacDowell is good, too. It’s not clear why she doesn’t drop everything and date Charles right away, or why she chooses to marry an older Scottish guy, but the story-driven situations only make the characters shine brighter.

Once the first wedding happened, I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to find out what three nuptials were coming and whose funeral it was.

Could it be a main character or even Charles or Carrie?

That makes Four Weddings and a Funeral compelling, especially as the supporting characters are fleshed out.

We meet Fiona (Kristin Scott Thomas), a bitchy friend who seems to judge everyone she meets. Her snobbery slowly gives way to vulnerability when we learn she’s always loved Charles.

Other characters like Tom (James Fleet) and Scarlett (Charlotte Coleman) provide comic relief, while a same-sex couple, Gareth and Matthew (Simon Callow and John Hannah), and Charles’s deaf brother David (David Bower) are part of the group, with no judgment of their sexuality or disability.

In 1994, this was a searing victory, and a feeling of inclusion is apparent.

The icing on the cake is a spectacular soap opera moment in which a bride and groom are about to take their vows, only for one of them to admit their love for another character.

Hysteria, a meltdown, and good old-fashioned drama commence, making the scene satisfying.

I didn’t expect to enjoy Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) as much as I did. Audiences agreed, and the film earned two surprising Oscar nominations.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay

Golden Globe Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture-Musical or Comedy, Best Actor-Musical or Comedy-Hugh Grant (won), Best Actress-Musical or Comedy-Andie MacDowell, Best Screenplay