IFC Films | Release Date: April 19, 2002
7.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 100 Ratings
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Positive:
72
Mixed:
22
Negative:
6
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8
NerdConsultantApr 12, 2015
i really like this film. it has some really funny moments which will resinate well with people who have regularly visited or lived in Greece. it's not perfect by any means as some of it is slightly grating and i would be lying if i said iti really like this film. it has some really funny moments which will resinate well with people who have regularly visited or lived in Greece. it's not perfect by any means as some of it is slightly grating and i would be lying if i said it didn't fall in to quite a few Romantic Comedy clichés but i'll take it over a lot of those film because it feels like it has a personal charm to it and some excellent jokes . it's also well acted for the most part especially Michael Constantine who gives an excellent and believable performance Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
LeoTs3181983Sep 3, 2010
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a great movie with a great cast. There are some silly moments however,but Nia Vardalos did worse in I Hate Valentine's Day!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
marcmyworksApr 2, 2016
A creative and imaginative film which truly stands the test of time. The love between Tula and Ian is so real and heart-warming that it makes this comedy all the more worthwhile to watch.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
EpicLadySpongeMar 12, 2016
I don't know about the upcoming sequel of this movie that is going against Batman v. Superman in the box office. Whatever the sequel pulls up, it won't be higher than an 8 unless they show me that the sequel's absolutely better than this one.I don't know about the upcoming sequel of this movie that is going against Batman v. Superman in the box office. Whatever the sequel pulls up, it won't be higher than an 8 unless they show me that the sequel's absolutely better than this one. However, I expect a lower rating for the new upcoming movie. This movie quickly brings up laughter just for the best and then suddenly end it sadly. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
MeghanC.Mar 7, 2003
Funny.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
TrishB.Aug 30, 2006
I thought it was very entertaining; a definite "feel good movie'.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
MeghanC.Nov 16, 2002
Funny.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SpangleAug 27, 2017
Playing out like a sitcom, complete with musical transitions between scenes, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one of those unexpected box office smashes that became a bit of a cultural touchstone. Written by and starring Nia Vardalos asPlaying out like a sitcom, complete with musical transitions between scenes, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one of those unexpected box office smashes that became a bit of a cultural touchstone. Written by and starring Nia Vardalos as 30-year-old Greek virgin who is expected to find a nice Greek boy to marry and have kids, the film is an uproariously funny work with sharp wit and great cultural jokes about Toula's (Vardalos) painfully large and Greek family. With a wedding around the corner to American white boy Ian Miller (John Corbett), the Greek family behind Toula must grow to accept this non-Greek into the family over the course of the film's 90 minutes, all while celebrating their Greek heritage throughout. Though perhaps not a great piece of filmmaking, My Big Fat Greek Wedding shows that two things are true: real life is often funny enough on its own and writing what you know yields phenomenal results when done right.

As a comedy about a wedding and an obnoxious family, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is not exactly a deep work. There are some light themes that emerge, but they seem to just pop up out of the circumstances shown in the film, instead of any actual purposeful intent. For example, themes about assimilating into a culture you are unfamiliar with or having to accept the unfamiliar person into your world are both discussed at length due to Ian joining the family, but these are hardly major developments or revelations. Plus, as a comedy, this fish-out-of-water element is played more for comedy than any semblance of thematic nuance. That is not an issue, mind you, but this is certainly not a film with a lot of substance. Rather, it is one that exists purely to entertain and make you laugh, which makes it a tough film review to rate. At which point does one recognize there are faults in this film - the televisual feel that is pervasive in the film and the bad acting, namely - and still recognize that the film nailed all of its stated goals.

Personally, I prefer to head towards the latter when it comes to films such as this. Consistently funny, smarted scripted, and capable of making fun of a culture in the way that only those who are a part of that culture can, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is an absolutely hysterical film. It is one of those few films that nails jokes throughout with no sign of letting up. Often times, these joke-a-minute films start to lose steam at a certain point, but this never does by retaining the same wit throughout, as well as the correct running gags (Windex). As a romance film, the "meet cute" moments are cliche to be sure, but still effective in putting a big, goofy smile on your face. It is a cheesy and sugary romance, but rings with authenticity and realism due to the problems faced by this cute couple in advancing their relationship to marriage. Never overstaying its welcome with the comedy or the romance, the short runtime allows the best moments of both to stay in with the film feeling rather stream-lined and focused, never straying into subplots or bloat that could have rendered it a far worse film.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a quintessential example of using the romantic comedy formula to your advantage with a funny, smart, and cheesily romantic work. It may be predictable and cliche, but it shows why those cliches became cliches in the first place. A charmer from beginning to end, the film is a guiltless pleasure.
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8
alejandro970May 14, 2022
What's wrong with an intercultural marriage? What makes this romantic comedy attractive is how it solves that question and with a lot of style, without clichés that smell of corny. To see with no more pretense than to have fun and learn whatWhat's wrong with an intercultural marriage? What makes this romantic comedy attractive is how it solves that question and with a lot of style, without clichés that smell of corny. To see with no more pretense than to have fun and learn what other practical uses the window cleaning liquid has. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
esmeh99Apr 22, 2023
great film, very much enjoyed and is a light watch that the whole family can enjoy
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