MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING
US, 1997, 107 minutes, Colour.
Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Dermot Mulroney, Rupert Everett, Philip Bosco, Rachel Griffiths.
Directed by P.J.Hogan.
My Best Friend's Wedding bears strong plot similarities to the forthcoming Thank God He Met Lizzie. They both concern young men who wonder whether they should marry. I was not sure up to the end of the film whether Michael (a mild Dermot Mulroney) would go through his wedding to socialite Kimmie (Cameron Diaz giving an impressive performance) or go off with Julianne (Julia Roberts) who has been trying to sabotage the marriage. The action takes place over three days leading up to the wedding. Best Friend was a US summer hit, making over $100,000,000. (One hopes that Lizzie will also do well.)
Best Friend was directed by P.J.Hogan who has had an international success with his follow-up to Muriel's Wedding. Just as he engagingly parodied Abba, now he uses Burt Bacharach and Hal David songs, especially a delightful credits sequence and an infectious restaurant scene where Rupert Everett, in an excellent comedy performance, sets everyone singing, `Say a Little Prayer'. Rachel Griffiths appears as the bride's sister. While the film is very light, it could say a great deal to younger adult audiences about relationships and commitment and about marriage and its consequences. 90s questions of marriage and commitment.
1.The extraordinary success of the film in 1997? The appeal to the American audiences? The light touch, romance - with edge? Romantic comedy with blendings of black comedy?
2.The work of P.J. Hogan, the next wedding after Muriel's? The light touch, romantic, satiric?
3.The Chicago locations, Julie Anne and her world of New York? The affluent world? The reality and unreality of the world of the film? Audiences identifying - but looking at the world of glossy magazines?
4.The importance of the music and songs? Burt Bacharach and Hal David? The bride and the bridesmaids during the credits sequence? The range of Bacharach songs? The restaurant and table sequence and everybody joining in `Say a Little Prayer'? The exuberance of this sequence? The memories of the '60s and this kind of song, giving a tone to the proceedings, the contrast with the '90s, the sense of spoof?
5.Julia Roberts as Julie Anne? Seeing her at work, going to the restaurants, her reviews of food and the styles of the restaurants? Her relationship with George and friendship with him, reliance on him? The message from Michael? The phone call, her reaction to the news of his getting married? The story of her friendship with Michael over the years, best friends? The situation of the wedding, her discussions with George, wanting his advice, her decision to sabotage the wedding?
6.Michael and his sports writing, a pleasant young man, the friendship with Julie Anne (Jules) over the years? Their ability to talk, the friendship, her giving him advice and vice-versa? His trying to communicate the wedding news to Jules? Julie Anne coming to Chicago? The airport, the first meeting with Kimmie? The reckless driving and Michael watching? Going to the fittings for the matron of honour's dress? Going to the karaoke bar, wanting Julie Anne to meet Kimmie's parents, Michael as naive? His moving through life relying on the women? The serious repercussions of the facts, Julie Anne trying to sabotage the wedding? His realisation of the truth? The chase with all three involved? His going to the railway station where he met Kimmie? The reconciliation with Julie Anne after her confession? Going to the wedding?
7.Julie Anne and her insinuating behaviour, her reaction to Kimmie's driving, the fittings for the dress, her sardonic comments, the karaoke bar and forcing Kimmie to sing? Her decision about the letter, the e-mail and her changing her mind? Too late? Her motives? Kissing Michael and being seen by Kimmie? The chase? Her reliance on George, his turning up, his handling the situation - especially at the restaurant with the singing of the song (and Michael and Julie Anne not being able to sing)? His giving advice for her behaviour as regards the wedding? The final chase, her desperately wanting to find Michael, her humiliation, facing the truth? George noting that nobody was chasing her? Her going to the wedding - the phone call and George being there?
8.Kimmie - glamorous, wealthy, her parents and their world, the house, the preparations for the wedding? Dresses, Julie Anne as maid of honour? Age, experience? Willing to sacrifice herself for Michael and his career? Kimmie and her reckless driving, being taken to the karaoke bar against her will, being forced to sing - but ultimately enjoying it and singing exuberantly, though off-key? Her enjoying the meal where join led them in singing? Her being hurt by seeing Julie Anne kiss Michael? Her running away, Julie Anne confronting her in the toilet? Their fight, clash? Her genial response and the happy wedding? Its future?
9.Kimmie's sisters and their style, their singing, bridesmaids, their raunchy talk? David? The brother and the balloons speeches?
10.Rupert Everett as George - enjoying himself in the role? As editor, as a pleasant man, gay? Julie Anne and her reliance on him? At the restaurant, the phone calls? His visit to Chicago - and the elaborate pretence comedy about Dionne Warwick and leading the table in singing? The poetry reading and the comedy of the mobile phone going? The finale and his ringing Julie Anne and being at the wedding to support her?
11.The romantic themes of marriage? The reality in the preparations, testing responses, trying to understand love?
12.Julie Anne's perspective on Michael and the wedding? It changing her whole attitude towards him - her even falling off the bed? Her acknowledgment and realisation of the attraction, love for him, going to take chances? Her meanness in her approach? The final anguish and talking things through with Kimmie? No-one chasing her? The edge with her rueful reflection on what she had done?
13.Audiences enjoying wedding films, the elaborate wedding, costumes, decor, music? The film as a feelgood good mood film?
