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Hysterical. Absolutely, side-splittingly, laugh-so-hard-you-cry hysterical. That’s the only way I can describe this movie. It had me, as well as everyone else in the theatre, rolling off their seats with laughter. And it’s why, if you haven’t yet seen this absolute gem, definately make it your next night out. Written by Nia Vardalos, who also stars as the movie’s main character, Toula, this is the story of a woman who falls in love. Only problem is, she’s Greek and he’s, well, not. At first, they conceal their relationship, but are eventually found out. The bonds of love, it seems, are strong enough to overcome Toula’s family, and the couple decides to get married. Needless to say, Toula’s family is less than amused, and Toula struggles with the guilt of being the first in the family to break tradition and marry a Xeno (foreigner). This, of course, leads to the requisite culture clash, tension, and opportunity for many, many gags. To say more would be to give away the funniest moments in the movie. Largely autobiographical, Greek Wedding falls in the catagory of movies that are so funny because they’re so true. Sure, it’s stereotypical and exaggerated, but that’s what makes great comedy. You don’t need to be Greek to relate to the mother who believes food is the answer to all life’s woes, the protective older brothers, the large and wacky family get-togethers and customs - all of these are present in families from many ethnicities. I’ve heard comments ranging from the “it’s scary how much that’s like my family” to the “someone put a video camera in my living room!” This movie isn’t perfect. The acting is more colourful than inspired, for the most part, with John Corbett’s nice guy coming off as a little too good to be true, and most of the family stuck in two-dimensional character parts. The exceptions are Vardalos herself, and especially Michael Constantine and Lainie Kazan as her loving but quirky parents. Some of the humour is slightly too clichéd, and the requisite happy ending comes off a bit too neat. Despite this, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a moviegoing experience that borders on being the best time you can have sitting up. So pour yourself a shot of uzo, sit back, and enjoy the laughter.
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