Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

This is just a really cute movie. A lot of my friends told me it was one of their favorites, and I can see why.

The story revolves around a colorful group of friends in England who seem to find themselves at a lot of weddings, although never one of their own. Hugh Grant plays the lead role of Charles, who has a long history of failed relationships. Charles is the adorably awkward and charming British bachelor -- a role that Hugh Grant has mastered over the years. At one of the weddings, Charles becomes smitten with a mysterious American named Carrie (Andie MacDowell). They end up spending the night together, but the next day Carrie returns home to America. When they end up meeting again at yet another wedding, Charles hopes to pick up where they left off, but he finds that she is recently engaged (to a much older and much less attractive Englishman). The two wind up meeting again at another wedding, and it becomes clear that they just can't seem to get their timing right. I don't want to spoil how the rest plays out or who the funeral is held for. If you are curious, you should really just watch the film.

There were a lot of laughs -- particularly with the group's rowdier member, Gareth (Simon Callow), who always seemed to be the life of the party. It was also very amusing to see how consistently late Charles and his roommate were for every wedding. Cue about a zillion expletives.

But there were also scenes with a lot of heart. Of course, one being the funeral. But another being the storyline of Fiona (Kristin Scott Thomas), who plays one of the friends. The audience finds out that she has had feelings for one of her friends for years, but without him ever knowing or reciprocating.
All in all, a very cute movie. Hugh Grant has perfected the disarming, charming, awkward sweetheart. This movie certainly highlights that.


-----------------


Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Synopsis: Romantic comedy about Charles, a noncommittal Englishman who meets Carrie--the American girl of his dreams--at a mutual friend's wedding and proceeds to awkwardly woo her through one funeral and three more weddings--one of which happens to be her... Romantic comedy about Charles, a noncommittal Englishman who meets Carrie--the American girl of his dreams--at a mutual friend's wedding and proceeds to awkwardly woo her through one funeral and three more weddings--one of which happens to be her own. Finally Charles discovers himself standing at the altar on his own wedding day, betrothed to a woman he has no desire to spend the rest of his life with.

Rated: R  for language, and for some sexuality.
Running Time: 1 hr. 56 min.
In Theaters: Mar 9, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Sep 7, 1999

Distributor: Gramercy Pictures
Directed By: Mike Newell