Customer Reviews

My Best Friend's Wedding

5 star:		(114)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Alternative Review Title: "It's a sculpture of the David"

At the time of its release, this was one of the freshest, funniest screwball comedies in a long time. Having watched it on video a few years later, I find it unfortunate that some of the luster has worn off. Perhaps seeing it in a theater with a good crowd was the difference; perhaps it's actually noticing how much larger the cellphones in 1997 were than the ones today. (And what about in five more years . . . ?)

This is not to say that it's not a good movie. It is, and the director and writer are to be commended for so many different, wonderful touches (the shadowed boat scene and smoking bellhop scene come to mind). Julia Roberts, beautiful and vibrant as always, shines as a New York food critic summoned on short notice by her best (male) friend, a former lover and possible soulmate (Dermot Mulrooney), to provide moral support at his wedding in Chicago. The plot revolves around Roberts' often backfiring efforts to break up the wedding and claim the groom for herself, usurping his rich, blonde, "perfect" fiancee Kimmie (Cameron Diaz), who may be more than she seems. Rupert Everett virtually steals the show as Roberts' gay friend George, who alternates between mildly assisting in the scheme and functioning as her counselor and conscience. A variety of characters, from the normal to the bizarre, round out the wedding party. (Note: the Amazon.com Essential Review is incorrect when it names Roberts' character as a Chicago food critic. It's clearly stated at one point that she's from NY, and she has to fly to the wedding. I mean, Chicago's big, but still . . .)

A solid 3-1/2 to 4 star effort. Recommended for fans of Roberts and those looking for a film that incorporates both comedy and romance without quite being a romantic comedy--in other words, an energetic, bittersweet blend with a beautiful anti-heroine whose actions and motivations provoke sympathy and concern in equal measure. With music, dancing, singing, a chase in a bread truck and an ice sculpture of Michelangelo's David, this one just about has it all. A trustworthy rental or bargain purchase.

I have always been a fan of Julia Roberts and the movies she stars in - her smile is infectious, it lights up the screen. In 1997, she made a comeback with a starring role in the romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding. The film went on to become one of the most successful girly movies of the whole decade, and after watching it earlier tonight on TV, it's not hard to see why. It still holds up seven years later. The comedy is fresh, funky and slick. The plot is nothing original, but it holds up brilliantly because of the film's four main stars. You have Julia Roberts, of course, who is no doubt a future Hollywood legend. Then there's Cameron Diaz in one of her best film roles - not quite topping her sexual cameo in The Mask three years earlier, but still bringing much humour to her role. Rupert Everett and Dermot Mulroney are the two main male actors and also do their roles justice.

Julia Roberts plays Julianne Potter, a fast-talking confident Chicago food critic who used to date Michael O'Neal (Dermot Mulroney) in their college days. They since broke up after nine years and moved apart. They made a pact, however, that if by the age of 28 they both were not married, then they would marry each other. When Julianne receives a call from Michael three weeks before that pact deadline, she assumes he is ringing to get back with her. However, Michael is calling to introduce Julianne to his seemingly wonderful, irritatingly perfect fiancee Kimberly Wallace (Cameron Diaz) and announce their wedding which is taking place in just three days. That leaves Julianne three short days to break up the marriage and win back the man she has only just realised she loved all along. She will either win or lose - that's the conclusion. Ronald Bass' perfectly-constructed screenplay keeps the viewer on the edge, forever guessing if she will win her battle. Julianne's gay friend George Downes (Rupert Everett) agrees to help her, but only to a certain extent, and he is a hilarious asset to the comedic intentions put forth by the writers of the film.

The film's plot seems at times far-fetched, and it is, but this is a light-hearted, romantic comedy with many clichés built in for good measure! The comedy is spot-on - there aren't many laugh out loud moments, but more of a continual giggle-fest that will have you smiling for most of the film. Julia Roberts is a certain crowd-puller. People from all over the world will flock to see her movies, and this one was exception. Cameron Diaz was half the superstar in this film that she is today, and her glowing smile and charasmatic confidence shines through in her ditzy role. Rupert Everett reminds me of Hugh Grant in this film, which can be no bad thing!

The film has many memobrable scenes, including Kimberely's hilarious karoke nightclub performance of "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself." The restaurant hilarity of the group's performance of Dianne Warwick's "I Say A Little Prayer" is also perfectly executed, with only professional directors pulling it off - amateurs could have easily messed it up big time. The big city bread truck chase is hilarious, and the film has many touching moments. Julianne's constantly foiled attempts to sabotage the impending wedding are brilliant too: most notably the e-mail/falling off the chair scene. This film is pure comedic brilliance. It could have easily fallen flat on its face, but it didn't because of the right balance between fresh actors and excellent dialogue.

MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING is a fun romantic comedy that stars Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Rupert Evert and Dermot Mulroney. The story involves Juliette (Julia Roberts), a food critic who realizes she loves her best friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney). Juliette finds out that Michael is getting married and decides to go to stop the wedding from happening, and to try to win him back. From the get go, Juliette is scheming to put a wedge between Michael and his fiancé Kimmy (Cameron Diaz). Her plans are often foiled and ultimately in the end, in a poignant moment, her friend George (Rupert Everett) asks her if she is chasing Michael and he is chasing Kimmy, who is chasing her? There are some real fun moments in the movie, like when Juliette pretends she is engaged to her gay friend in order to make Michael jealous. They end up singing "Say A Little Prayer" at breakfast. The movie is enriched by a great cast who have chemistry. Julia Roberts convincingly plays Juliette, who should be the enemy, but you end up rooting for her even through her hatched plans. Overall a fun romantic comedy fans of the genre should love.

I absolutely love this video. Not only does it offer Julia Roberts the opportunity to play the sort of off-the-wall romantic heroine she's best at (Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride), it also provides us with perspective on two things: being careful what we ask for, and what constitutes real friendship. I contend that her real best friend all the way through this film is Everett. If you watch closely, every scene he's in with her contains the sort of sincere caring and genuine love we all wish we could have from friends...and lovers, for that matter. Not only does he steal every scene he's in with his great comic timing, he manages to imbue his character with great dimensionality and tenderness. Very appealing! I found myself wishing I had a friend like him: one who would say "There may not be marriage; there may not be sex; but, by God, there will be dancing!"

In his role as Julia Roberts' gay friend George, Rupert Everett effortlessly steals the show--he is urbane and witty, wise and caring, and of course uproariously funny and drop-dead gorgeous. In contrast, "leading man" Dermot Mulroney appears crass, callow, and utterly devoid of charm or magnetism. This movie, billed as a comedy, has a element of mystery at its core: Why on earth would two such winners as Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz fight for the affections of such a dolt!

Once upon a time, there lived some very concerned and fast talking Hollywood Agents, witty Managers and one very powerful Film Studio Chief that adored an actress named Julia Roberts. She was fortunate to star in a major film that became a box office success with her co-star, Richard Gere. Unfortunately, Julia began to follow the "bad luck" path and footsteps of another great actress, Katherine Hephurn, and was on the verge of a similar label... "Box Office Poison". After a string of "yawning" mediocre dramas and box office profits, the mighty Hollywood entourage finally woke up to realize, and (thankfully) convinced Julia Roberts, to put her "pearly white brites" were her money was (and still is)... in comedies, not dark dramas.

Thank God Julia Roberts chose to star in this (now) romantic classic film. "My Best Friend's Wedding" was the movie that made me fall in love with and admire all of the incredible "colors of emotions" portrayed by this incredibly intuitive and soulful actress. Not only is "My Best Friend's Wedding" a superb comedy, creatively filled with slick - thought out comical scenes, it contains one of the top emotional and romantic scenes in motion picture history. The scene involves Julia Roberts (Julianne Potter) and her old flame, Dermot Mulroney (Michael O'Neal) as they cruise down the Chicago River. Dermott Mulroney (Michael) conveys the importance of verbalizing the three most powerful words... "I Love You" ... to someone special if they really cared. The entire moment of that particular scene was filmed, acted, directed, and musically scored in the most astounding cinematic way. It always brings tears to my eyes when Dermott (Michael) gently rocks Julia (Julianne) in his arms as he softly sings "The Way You Look Tonight". As they continue to dance, we see Julia's (Julianne's) face with several tears gently gliding down. This scene is worthy to be included for, (and if) The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences should ever present, a romantic comedy retrospective. Watch it. I think you'll agree.

Julia wasn't even nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, however truly deserved The "Best Actress" Oscar for a triumphant comeback as the "Queen of the contemporary screwball, romantic comedy".

This movie has many funny moments and I really enjoyed it when I saw it at the theatre, so I bought the DVD. I like the way the movie depicts life and not Hollywood life.

Though many of Julianne Potter's (Julia Roberts) efforts to win back an old boyfriend days before his impending nuptials may seem far fetched or even sociopathic, what rescues this movie from the banality of most commericial comedies is the smart writing and the expert performances. Julia Roberts can easily lapse into blandness (see CONSPIRACY THEORY), but she does make Julianne human in spite of her selfish actions. While we may never root for her (there is no doubt that Cameron Diaz is the truly better match for Dermot Mulroney's character), by the end, when Julianne regains her senses, we finally can feel her loss. Roberts plays the love-confession and the poignant farewell scenes so well that we may be thinking back to our own love losses with a tinge of remorse or, at least sentiment. Kudos also to Rupert Everett, unfairly robbed of an Oscar nomination, for his brilliant, unforgettable portrayal of Julianne's surrogate best friend, George. George seems to be th! e only voice of reason left in Julianne's life and if more movie (and real-life) friendships were this open, decent, and genuine, the world would be a better place and there would be no need for the glut of talk show deviates which populate the airwaves. MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING bears up under repeated viewings as well; it's not Shakespeare, but it's miles above the standard Hollywood comedy. Thank the stars. END

I'm not the biggest Julia Roberts fan in the world, but I have yet to stumble across a film of hers which isn't purely great entertainment. And this little gem is no different. It's warm and fun, full of great laughs, sweet romantic moments, and irresistable characters. As Jules, Roberts sparkles with charm, and even though she screws up, you can't help but root for her in the end. Cameron Diaz is an absolute riot in this early role-I have yet to see her in a more charming, winning role.And Rupert Everett is simply flawless-his dry wit steals every scene he's in.

This isn't "great cinema", but as far as light romantic comedies go, you can't go wrong with this one. Sure it's light and fluffy, but it's not dumb, and it never fails to touch you, and make you laugh. Loaded with heaps upon heaps of unforgettable scenes, this is everything a romantic comedy should be. If you're thinking of renting a light flick over the weekend, My Best Friend's Wedding fits the bill.Sweet, fun, intelligent comedy at its' best.

I saw this movie when I was about eight and other than a few jokes I was actually laughing with the rest of the theatre. This was the first Cameron Diaz movie I had ever seen and that got me to be a big fan of hers and see all of her movies. The premise is that this girl Julian (Julia Roberts) had this guyfriend and they promised that if they both turn thirty and still have not gotten married to anyone than they would marry each other. Well when Julian is about to turn thirty she call Michael and to her suprise he is getting married next week so she flies in and is trying to stop the wedding so that she can marry Michael not this spoiled little rich girl (Cameron Diaz). I would recommend this to all females and even males out there of all ages over 8 because if you are younger than that than you will only get a handful of jokes if you are around the age of say 13 you should get just about all of the jokes. I hope that this review has helped you if making a choice about this movie!