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 t's official. The year 2002's "Blair Witch
Project" (that is, a movie no one knew about that opened quietly and
finished with a big bang because of good word-of-mouth) is the comedy "My
Big Fat Greek Wedding," which besides having the best title for a movie in
a long time, is also very funny, if at times a little awkward. The film, in
essence, is essentially a dysfunctional "Cinderella" Romantic Comedy.
Nia Vardalos (who also writes the screenplay) stars as
Toula, a 30-year old who believes her life is doomed because she was born into a
big Greek family set in its ways. In the Portokalos (it means "orange"
in Greek) household, men runs things and women are only good for cooking and
churning out babies. The patriarch is Gus (Michael Constantine), an immigrant
who besides believing that Windex can heal gunshot wounds, is also determined to
marry Toula off to a "nice Greek boy." When Toula begins a passionate
love affair with High School teacher (and all-around WASP) Ian (John Corbett),
you know the fit is about to hit the shan. (And if you figured out the real
words to "fit" and "shan," good for you.)
"Greek Wedding" sounds and feels like a personal
account by Vardalos, and the film is quite good, although it is bothered a bit
by clichéd plotting. For instance, is there any doubt Ian will eventually win
over Toula's traditional family? Or that he will eventually be welcomed into
their home with opened arms when everything is said and done? Of course not.
"Greek Wedding" is a Romantic Comedy, and like all Romantic Comedies,
it's highly predictable and relies on other factors besides originality to keep
itself going. In this case, it's mining the rich comedic fodder that is Toula's
family.
The film doesn't make fun of the Portokalos, but rather
shows them in funny situations. (Re: the film laughs with them.) The
movie's main goal is to shine a light on the Greeks and all their
eccentricities, but in the end it wants to say, "See, they may be loud and
weird and you might be tempted to run across the street when you see them
coming, but in the end they're just like your family!" Of course this is
true, but themes like that are inherent in all Romantic Comedies involving
clashing in-laws and "meet the folks"-like humor. Fortunately I wasn't
too concern that "Greek Wedding" was simply treading very familiar
ground. It was funny, it had one good joke after another, and its characters
were irresistible. What more could you ask for?
Speaking of characters, Vardalos has populated her Greek
family with some very memorable ones. Michael Constantine, as the father, is
particularly good, and although his delivery was sometimes too stilted, this was
believable within the context of him as an immigrant. There's a cousin whose
best assets are in front of her and below her neck; Toula's brother who dreams
of being an illustrator, and who finds courage to pursue his dreams when Toula
breaks family rank; and Toula's grandmother, an old Greek woman who thinks the
Turks are trying to kill her, so she sleeps with a knife under her pillow (don't
ask).
It's also understandable that Vardalos' screenplay falters
a bit when portraying Ian's family. Even John Corbett ("Serendipity")
as Ian seems less fleshed out than even the most minor member of Toula's family.
Ian's family is WASP in every respects, but that seems to be all the
characterization Vardalos and director Joel Zwick is interested in giving them.
These were minor problems, but they were a bit disappointing, especially in
light of the screenplay's overwhelming focus on every single member of the Greek
side. Why not invest a little time in the "other" guys, too?
"Greek Wedding" is funny throughout most of its
running length, and has plenty of gags and culture clash moments to warrant its
90 minutes. Although the film does resemble an episodic sitcom every now and
then, there is enough humor and Greek madness to last the entire film. Just
barely, though.
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