My Big Fat Greek Wedding

IFC Films | Release Date: April 19, 2002

7.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings

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ElVulturoJan 25, 2006

Perhaps the worst movie of all time. Awful, awful, awful. I feel like I've been stabbed after watching it. You could write a rather large book about just how terrible this movie is, but for now I'll stick with the Perhaps the worst movie of all time. Awful, awful, awful. I feel like I've been stabbed after watching it. You could write a rather large book about just how terrible this movie is, but for now I'll stick with the 'highlights'. 1. The character of Ian. He's barely human. A walking doormat, bereft of an identity, emotions, or a spine. It's a wonder how he gets out of bed. So your bride to be has a pushy but loving family that won't give her any space. Do you react angrily to their constant demands? Try to instigate a little give and take in the relationship? Gently steer her towars some form of independence? Hell no. You bend over and take it as deep as humanly possible. Baptism? Church Wedding? Completely ignore his own parents? Ditch his best man because he's not Greek? Generally act like a human doormat? No problem! Not once does he get angry, or even question the motives of his new inlaws. So her parents don't want her to marry a non-Greek? His solution, to give up his identity and try to act as Greek as humanly possible. Which brings us to... 2. Stereotypes. Those crazy Greeks! Always with the wackiness! And look at the "ingenious" contrast between their over the top ways and those stiff, uptight Wasps. No doubt hilarity will ensue. One wonders how the write restrained from having Ian have a 'funky' black sidekick who can't help but say "awww helll no" when offered some Ouzo and the one millionth rendition of the Zorba dance. 3. Anti-feminist. The message the family sends to their daughter? You can marry anyone you want (and even then, not really, only if he tries really really really really hard to be as Greek as humanly possible). Not that you can be whatever you want. Or aspire or achieve anything you set your mind to. No. You can marry anyone you want, provided that we still control your life and steamroll your values whenever we choose. At the end of the movie, the father, in a great emotional display, traps his daughter by buying her a house NEXT DOOR. Wow, thanks dad. How unbelievably "out there". 4. It's not funny. If you love "everyone loves Raymond" or "Yes Dear" then you'll love this steaming turd. Witness punchlines you'll see coming a mile off! Enjoy the most tired movie cliches of all time! 5. One dimensional characters. Apart from the female lead, not a single character in this movie felt like a real person. And even then she was only one step above being a spineless automaton. We've got the senile grandma, the prankster brother, the wacky aunt, the overprotective father, the uptight Wasps. I must have missed the scene with the Rabbi, the Irishman, and the thrifty Scot. Conclusion: It's not that you can't have a good comedy based on ethnic and cultural clashes; it's been done a million times before. What's missing here is the clash, any semblance of conflict, or heart, for that matter. You don't have to be making highbrow arthouse cinema to do this well. For example, "Bend It Like Beckham" does much the same thing, only it has the advantage of a good plot, interesting characters and jokes that are actually funny. If I sound bitter, well, guilty as charged. I sat through a nine hour bus ride with this abomination blaring from multiple screens. After the huge box office and all the hype, I was ready to like this film. But it sucks. Terribly, horribly, utterly, completely.… Expand

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