An essential of the 90s that came to take the boring out of weddings; the typical British humor is the ingredient that enhances and increases the flavor of this romantic comedy, and to this add the performance of Hugh Grant, who here managed to put his name on the map.
One of my favourites. Never over-acted, never forced, this film stands in contrast to American comedies of the period that worked so hard for laughs. It is so true to the friendships we make in the university / marriage years, and so good at putting life into perspective without sacrificing humour. Grant's star-maker.
A better film about love delayed than "Sleepless in Seattle." It's funnier, more credible, more bittersweet and the characters are a whole lot brighter. Naturally, it won't be as big a hit. [18 March 1994, Friday, p.C]
The movie dazzles with its slick lines, but there's a situational intelligence at play too -- little vignettes involving minor characters are begun at one wedding and then evolve into major events at the next.
As a palette cleanser to all the tea and crumpets, Andie MacDowell does her job, although the character is a weak spot. There is so little in the way of background for Carrie, that you can almost imagine Charles’ friends simply taking her out of storage just to attend weddings.
So this movie beat the 1994 film "Pulp Fiction" at the BAFTA awards. Just like the Oscars, the BAFTA messed up big time.
Normally British films to me are kind of an mix bag and what I mean is that sometimes I enjoy or be bored by movies from Britain. I don't know why it just happens and this is coming from a guy who is from Britain. I was a bit shocked when I find out that this movie was named Best Film at BAFTA awards, and to the people who liked this movie more than Pulp Fiction that's fine, but to me (in my personal opinion) this movie was just alright.
Let's start of with the positive: The acting from everyone was solid and this movie has a great cast.
The movie did make me laugh at times with characters doing wacky things that no normal person would do at a weddings. So yeah those kind of jokes.
I'm not going to spoil anything, but theses a scene where there are at this funeral and one of the characters gives a sad and a very moving speech that made me tear up a bit.
Now for things that didn't work for me: I didn't really think this movie is on the level of amazing as some has put it out to be, I'm not saying it's bad as I honestly think it's just alright.
Very few times does an intention gets the reaction that the core of the positive star expects, this is one of those times.
Four Weddings And A Funeral
Newell is creating history. What I find fascinating and funny is that he does it with cream filled cookies and goody shakes. Richard Curtis, the writer and Mike Newell, the director's film is a textbook cliche in rom com genre. What he does in here is all familiar, seen-this-seen-that and frankly ordinary. Inadvertently, what they are doing is raising a vital question in this filmmaking process and it is that what should be kept above all. The way of storytelling or the story itself.
And the answer that the film screams in love is the style and the authenticity through which a story is told. If you have a better version to be told of those same characters and the same storyline, it should not only be accepted but encouraged. And that very, a boy meets a girl, they fall in love, the situation sets them apart, another ingredient is added to spice up the dish, boy and girl finally realizes their mistake and they claim their love under the sun and the rain, is told here. But it is fun. It is a film that stays with you.
You can always ring the bell among a crowd with a feel good film, but the only way to make it last longer is by never sugar coating the charmness it consists. And it never for a frame takes that for granted. The jokes are kept in smooth, the one liners are pinned down by the pragmatic environment and the levity that grounds the game changing confessions, just watch Kristen Scott Thomas and Hugh Grant play the awkwardness between them, their body language is far superior than what they speak. Four Weddings And A Funeral overcomes its conceptual issues with spontaneity something that our usual love track lacks.
Petite comédie romantique bobo qui ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard, loin de là... ça ne casse pas non plus la baraque. Ce que ça casse par contre, c'est les burnes : c'est en effet très chiant, très lent et très poussif.
Il paraît que c'est drôle, fin et léger mais c'est juste pas drôle et balourd surtout que l'andouille Hugh Grant nous fait son éternel numéro de benêt branchouille ravi de la crèche. Et Andie ne nous sert que le minimum syndical, ce qui est très insuffisant.
Un film donc très mauvais et très con à dormir debout qui nous en touche une sans faire bouger l'autre. Et même ça, il n'y arrive pas.