In a big, convoluted mix of famous actors and familial dysfunction, “The Big Wedding” is a comedic drama detailing the story of the Griffins, a family of mixed personalities and many secrets. The premise is essentially absurd, but some of the relationships and characters in the story are remarkably well-defined for the genre. The film makes no cinematic achievements and is extremely confusing for viewers, but is entertaining enough to watch.
The Griffins consist of a family of five. Don (Robert De Niro, “Meet the Parents”) and Ellie (Diane Keaton, “The Godfather”) are the parents of three children, Jared (Topher Grace, “That 70’s Show”), Lyla (Katherine Heigl, “Knocked Up”), and Alejandro (Ben Barnes, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”). Alejandro is adopted and is soon to be married to Missy (Amanda Seyfried, “Les Miserables”), a marriage at which his biological mother, Madonna (Patricia Rae, “Maria Full of Grace”), will be present. Additionally, Don and Ellie have been long divorced, while Bebe (Susan Sarandon, “Thelma and Louise”), Ellie’s former best friend, is in a relationship with Don. The conflicted affairs become even more confuddling as the movie progresses, as Missy’s parents and Alejandro’s sister are brought into the picture when many secrets about the family members start coming out.
Alejandro and Missy’s wedding takes place over the course of three days. During a meeting with a priest (Robin Williams, “Good Will Hunting”) before they are wed, Alejandro realizes that his very strict Catholic biological mother will be meeting his adoptive parents, who she does not realize are divorced. In a strange and over-exaggerated dilemma, Alejandro asks Don and Ellie to pretend that they are still married, with Bebe being forced out of the wedding. Conflict ensues. “The Big Wedding” was interesting enough to watch, but for a movie that should not have required an insane amount of attention, it created unneeded complexity and drama. Had the Griffins all been honest with each other from the beginning, the problem could have been easily solved.
The biggest highlight of the movie is the number of acclaimed actors fit into such a mediocre film. De Niro’s depiction of an oversexed, alcoholic divorcee is spot on, paired with Sarandon’s character who is obsessed with pugs and organic foods. Barnes’ character has no other function than merely translating all the Spanish his mother speaks, while Seyfried plays yet another character that is not fully fleshed out in the film. Lyla, played by Heigl, is actually a compelling character who has a big personality reveal near the end of the film, which gives her more sympathy than the bitter, sarcastic woman that is originally displayed. Additionally, Keaton as Ellie, the neglected member of the divorce, is likeable and the least insane of the characters, but she is almost too angelic for forgiving her best friend for taking her husband. Lastly, Grace’s character, Jared, has one single defining characteristic—he is a 29-year-old virgin.
With no outstanding cinematography, the film is lacking in aesthetic features, only saved by the beautiful setting of the wedding. It takes place at the house Ellie and Don had built together, a gigantic mansion which lies directly next to a small lake. The cream and purple decorations of the wedding were stunning, but no amount of appealing visuals could enhance a confusing and practically absurd plot with an easily resolvable conclusion.
“The Big Wedding” spent too much time developing a crazy plot line, which retracted from the compelling potential of the various characters. The single redeeming aspect of the film was the acclaimed cast, but an entire movie cannot be expected to be upheld by famous names with subpar quality output.
