MURIEL'S WEDDING

Australia, 1994, 105 minutes, Colour.
Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffith, Jeannie Drynan, Matt Day, Sophie Lee, Heather Mitchell, Chris Haywood, Daniel Lapaine, Penne Hackforth-Jones?, Annie Byron,
Barry Crocker.
Directed by P.J. Hogan.

Muriel's Wedding was one of the surprise successes of Australian cinema in the 1990s, one of the highest box-office successes for an Australian film in Australia. However, it also had great success overseas, especially in Europe and the United States.

The film was written and directed by P.J. Hogan, who had made the small espionage thriller The Humpty Dumpty Man. His next film was to be the Julia Roberts-Cameron? Diaz comedy, My Best Friend's Wedding. He went on to make Unconditional Love with Kathy Bates.

The film is both funny and poignantly sad. First impressions focus on the humour of Muriel, the awkward and out-of-place young woman in Porpoise spit, her ambitious father and his wheeler-dealing in politics, the satire on the glamorous young women of Porpoise Spit. However, while there is also comedy in the use of the Abba music, especially Tony Collette and Rachel Griffith's impersonation of Abba types singing 'Waterloo', there is a great deal of astute observation of Australian society as well as sadness.

The film focuses on women in Australian society, the expectations that Muriel felt that she had to live up to, the great desire to be glamorous and to be married. It is seen in Sophie Lee and her gang of bridesmaids. There is a different portrait painted by Rachel Griffiths as the goodtime girl who is suddenly stricken with paralysis and has to rethink her live, especially after she feels betrayed by Muriel. There are also Muriel's sisters, doing nothing at home along with their brothers. There is Deirdre, the glamorous beauty consultant, who is having a liaison with Muriel's father. And, finally, there is Jeannie Drynan as Betty, Muriel's mother, battered into submission by her husband and existing in a kind of dream and daze, trying to please him but continually being rejected by all around her, ignored so that the only thing left for her is to kill herself.

The film was the beginning of a very successful career for Toni Collette, who had appeared in Spotswood. She was to appear in such films as Lillian’s Story and The Boys, for which she won Best Supporting AFI awards after her Best Actress award as Muriel. She was to appear in a number of British and American films including The Sixth Sense, for which she received an Oscar nomination, and About a Boy. Rachel Griffith also began a successful career, with films in Australia including Cosi, To Have and to Hold, Children of the Revolution, Amy. She received an Oscar nomination as Hilary Dupree in Hilary and Jackie. Bill Hunter shows again what a strong character actor he is, seemingly effortless in his portrayal of his characters. Jeannie Drynan also stands out as Betty. There is a very strong supporting cast.

1. The success of the film, its appeal? To Australians? Internationally?

2. The Porpoise Spit settings, the country town, the homes, restaurants, atmosphere? Seaside, holidays? The Barrier Reef island and the holiday atmosphere? The contrast with Sydney, shops, homes, the church?

3. The musical score, the use of the Abba songs, as commentary on Muriel's world, Muriel and Rhonda and the impersonation? The Abba posters? The Abba songs throughout the film and especially the climax?

4. The title, Muriel's desire to be married, the initial wedding, Muriel and the stolen dress, the wedding dresses in Sydney and her trying them on, the photo album? The advertisement, the arranged marriage, the wedding ceremony and her joy and smile, her parents, family and friends? The reality of life breaking through with the wedding not the be-all and end-all of life?

5. The structure of the film, the chapters and the headings on-screen? The bouquet, Sydney, Muriel's wedding?

6. The atmosphere of the opening, Muriel herself, at the wedding, the friends and their being a clique, Chook and Nicole together, Muriel seeing them? The shop detective and the arrest? Her father and his reaction, paying off the police, her mother and her dithering, the sister and saying Muriel was terrible, the family?

7. The meal and the potential business partners, her father and his mocking his children, saying they were no-hopers? Humiliating Muriel, calling them useless? Muriel and her lies about buying the dress? The arrival of Deirdre and the coincidence? Deirdre offering Muriel the job? Her mother writing the word "cash" on the blank cheque? The consequences?

8. Muriel and her knowing that the girls were going to the island, her going herself, spending the money, encountering them, the girls and their wanting Muriel out of the group? The ironic remarks that she had no dignity? The encounter with Rhonda, the discussion about the past? Meeting the girls, their wanting Rhonda to be a friend, Rhonda's answers to them and the revelation about Chook and his behaviour? Their performance of the Abba song, the fight between Nicole and Chook's wife? The free-for-all?

9. The truth about Muriel, the cheque, the police, her father, her mother puzzled? Her decision to go to Sydney?

10. Her changing her name to Mariel, at the video store, the young man coming in, the phone calls with Rhonda, setting up the date, the dance, the young man and his awkwardness? Rhonda and the American sailors? Going back, the boy and his awkwardness, the sailors coming out, Muriel and her giggles, Rhonda's collapse?

11. Rhonda, her character, personality, on the outer? Friendship with Muriel? Not wanting to call her Mariel? Out for a good time? Her collapse, going to the hospital, the prognosis, paralysis, her trying to walk again, the second collapse, the prospect of the operation? Having to go back home to Porpoise Spit, Muriel neglecting her? Her bitterness? Acceptance of her condition?

12. Muriel and her change of name, going to the wedding dress shops, the attendants and listening to her stories, the photo album? Rhonda finding it? Angry with Muriel, the clash between them?

13. Muriel, her character and personality, told that she was useless by her father, unable to hold down a job, wanting to be with the group, aping them, not perceiving their rejection? Wanting above all to get married? The advertisement, going to the swimming pool, the discussion with the coach, the possibility of marrying David? The arrangement?

14. David, South African, family paying for the wedding, wanting to win at all costs, listening to his coach, the proposal and his disdain?

15. Muriel and the phone calls to her mother, the exposure of her father and the accusations of fraud, his coming to Sydney to answer the charges, her meeting him? His leaving Betty, taking up with Deirdre? Deirdre and the arrival at the restaurant and the coincidence? His denial of all the charges?

16. The wedding, Rhonda going out of the church, her mother there, the girls as bridesmaids? Their coming to Muriel and taking her side? The arrival, Muriel and her laughing and happiness? The achievement? The ceremony itself, David and his wariness? The aftermath, David beginning to understand her, their discussion about each of them accepting money? Their sleeping together? Muriel deciding to leave? The basis of a friendship?

17. Betty and her arriving late at the wedding, her being neglected? Going back home, her demands of the children, mowing the lawn? Her suicide after burning the backyard? The pathos of her funeral, the words of the priest? The truth about her life and her despair?

18. Muriel returning home, going back to her ordinary name, appearing without makeup? Going to Rhonda, offering her the opportunity to go back to Sydney? Rhonda's mother and her protectiveness? The group there and wanting Rhonda to stay? Rhonda telling them off, going with Muriel?

19. The finale with each of them in the car, saying goodbye to everything?

20. Muriel finding her true self, giving up the pretences and expectations, seeing the truth about her father, about her family, about her mother? The friendship with Rhonda? Not being glamorous at all, her real self? Rhonda's real self? Their future together?