THE WEDDING SINGER
US, 1998, 95 minutes, Colour.
Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Christine Taylor, Allen Covert, Matthew Glave, Ellen Albertini Dow, Angela Featherstone, Alexis Arquette, Christina Pickles, Jon Lovitz, Steve Buscemi, Billy Idol.
Directed by Frank Coraci.
The Wedding Singer was a very popular romantic comedy of the late 90s. Adam Sandler had begun playing airheads in such films as Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. This set him on the road to greater popularity and a wider range of roles. Drew Barrymore is very charming as the waitress who meets the weddings and bar mitzvahs. There is an entertaining supporting cast including Christine Taylor as well as guest appearances by Steve Buscemi and Billy Idol.
The film is a straightforward comedy, two seeming losers who are engaged to other people, abandoned by them, finding each other.
The film is directed by Frank Coraci who directed Sandler in The Water Boy and the much more ambitious Click. He also directed Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan in Around the World in Eighty Days.
1.The popularity of this film? Romantic comedy? Genial characters? Heartwarming?
2.The status of the stars, Adam Sandler and his style of comedy, Drew Barrymore as a leading lady? The guest stars? Steve Buscemi’s comedy turn?
3.The ordinary atmosphere, the town, the homes, the clubs? The weddings and bar mitzvahs? The musical score? The range of songs?
4.The title of the film, the focus on Robbie, his work? The songs that he sang? People’s response? Julia’s response?
5.The introduction to Robbie, singing, the presence of George? The weddings, Steve Buscemi and his comic role? Julia and her work? The sick boy? Linda, his relationship, the plans, his being stood up at the altar? His reaction, talking? Sammy and his friendship? The drinking? The wedding, his being insulted? Rose, teaching singing, celebration? His relying on Julia, the preparation for the wedding, the talking? The truth emerging about Glenn? Linda at home, not marrying? The plane trip, Billy Idol, the song?
6.Julia, as sweet, Glenn and his wealth, believing in him, staying with him for years, his ambitions, wealth? Mother? Talking, dancing, the fat boy? The upset? Las Vegas? The planning for her wedding, calling it off? With Robbie, the talks, taken for granted, falling in love? The happy ending?
7.Sam, character, the truth?
8.Glenn, the character, the truth about his life, rewarding Julia for staying with him by marrying her?
9.The guests, their behaviour, Rose? The comic perspectives on wedding guests and bar mitzvah guests?
10.The character of Linda, the relationship with Robbie, her liking him as leader of a band, not liking him as a wedding singer, standing him up?
11.Relationships, engagements, marriages, broken engagements?
12.The emphasis on nice people, sweetness and light, true love? A good blend of humour and sentiment?
