THE WEDDING PARTY

US, 1969, 92 minutes, Black and white.
Charles Pfluger, Jill Clayburgh, Robert De Niro (Denero), John Braswell.
Directed by Brian de Palma.

Perhaps the principal reason for seeing this film is that it is one of the early full length features by up-and-coming director, Brian De Palma. In the late 60s he had made a number of short films and a feature film, Greetings. The Wedding Party was a more ambitious film, photographed in black and white, featuring some of his associates including two who would become stars, Robert De Niro and Jill Clayburgh.

While there is a screenplay, many of the sequences have the impression of improvisation. The photography has some of De Palma’s idiosyncratic style and there is an underlying sardonic humour as well as serious themes.

The occasion is a wedding, the arrival of the groom – with overtones of slapstick comedy, silent film style – the mansion, the family, the bride and her concern, the groom and his friends, possible temptations.

While it still has some entertainment value, it is still principally a work of historical interest, noting De Palma’s succession of thrillers, Carrie, Obsession, Dressed to Kill, Blowout in the 1970s and such classics as Scarface and The Untouchables in the 1980s.

1. Film of the 1960s, young filmmakers, cast, issues?

2. Brian De Palma, the beginning of his career? Robert De Niro and the cast?

3. Black-and-white photography, the countryside, the locations, the boat, the cars, the house, the estate, the surrounding countryside? The musical score?

4. The title, the chapter headings, the Complete Guide, the bridegroom and the various chapters and their being illustrated?

5. The situation, the arrival, the whole family gathering, Charles and Josephine, the friends?

6. The farcical opening, the car, the falling luggage, the speeding up of action?

7. Charles in himself, engaged, the preparation of the marriage, Josephine? Arriving, the talk, the kiss – and the doubts?

8. Josephine, her dominating mother, the various members of the family, her aunt?

9. Charles’s friends, the characters, arrival, the conversations, trendy, movie references?

10. The Rev Oldfield, genial, in the house, the discussions, the walks, his advice, the meals? The preparation for the wedding? The ceremony?

11. The international visitors –allr played by the one actor? French? European? The Indian? The car and the plane?

12. Golf, the father, the philosophy of the over 65s?

13. Charles, becoming reluctant, his friends, walking, Singing in the Rain…?

14. The long encounter with the sister, at the table, her awkwardness, his flirting, going to the room, the storage room, the record, the cigar, falling, the roof? Piano, sexual advances, out the window…?

15. The rain, wet, drinking, playing, Josephine and her reaction and insistence?

16. The final banquet, speeding of the camera, the speeches, Charles imagining the wedding? Hit by the car, the drinking, the dancer?

17. The mother, Charles, the secret?

18. The wedding day, the rain, Charles running to the wharf, the children, the flowers, the father and mother? The frantic preparations? Charles hiding, the bike, hitching? The quarry, the boat, returning to the marriage?

19. And its future?