Friday, February 20, 2009

Flashback Friday – Four Weddings and A Funeral

The Oscars are this Sunday. They will air at midnight my time so I will try to watch but you know I'm in bed usually by 10 p.m.

Today's film flashback is one of my favorite Romantic Comedies. This little British film was made for 4 million pounds and became a surprise international hit.

Richard Curtis's script is so funny and has heart. I still can't believe they were able to shoot a movie with this many locations on such a tight budget. This looks like a much more expensive film.

That a movie about a very specific group of folks was so accessible says something about how universal the themes were.

The Funeral. Scene guts me every time. This poem is beautiful and John Hannah was great in this scene.


One of the weddings. Ha


Have a great weekend.

16 comments:

Korie said...

I've never seen this film, actually, but the clips pique my curiosity. I've heard it's good.

Anonymous said...

It's funny for me to be contrary. I love romantic comedies -- in fact, they're about the only kind of movie I like (yes, I'm a philistine, I know). And I expected, of course, to love Four Weddings and a Funeral.

But I *hated* it.

For some reason it really disturbed me - and this was a bit the same in Amélie -- that the two who got together didn't know each other, really, except for for their physical beauty. I felt like these people didn't KNOW each other at all, so how could they know if getting married was the right thing.

Individual parts of the movie I liked, and found hilarious, but that overall message really left a bad taste in my mouth.

I still wonder at the fact that I didn't like it. I think I was alone in that sentiment, though!

Just thought you might be interested to hear a different point of view, just for fun.

Rebecca said...

I love the movie as well. I will say that the chemistry between Hugh Grant and Andie McDowell is lacking but, in reality, the true relationship in the movie is between the group of friends, and that is priceless.
And I agree that the funeral scene and John Hannah's performance gets me each and every time. Thanks for posting this!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

lilacspecs - It's a fun movie.

kim b- I hear what you are saying. it's funny but to me the movie is about the friends. I didn't buy Andie and Hugh either and really didn't care about them that much. ha I feel like I'm one of the few people who didn't like Love Actually. I actually *hated* that movie but will talk about that other times.

rebecca - you're welcome. When I saw the movie the first time I was bawling in the theater along with everyone else.

Skywalker said...

Duckface!!!

Hahaha, I can't believe the friends called that girl that to her face too.

John Hannah really stole the show from Hugh Grant - what a cutie. It was start to finish a great ensemble cast (Kristin Scott Thomas, Hugh Grant, Hannah, Andie McDowell)...classic Brit romantic comedy.

Which by the way sparked that really funny song in "Love Actually"

Italianissima said...

They have been playing this movie recently on cable here in the US. I saw this movie for the first time when I was studying abroad in France - they showed it at the English speaking movie theater in Strasbourg. I loved it then and I love it now. I love Scarlet's character - she is my favorite.

glamah16 said...

I could watch this film over and over. Kristen Scott Thomas id my girl!

Anonymous said...

I get what you're saying -- I should definitely re-watch it focusing on the friend dynamic and just leaving aside the stupid couple. I did think the group of friends was hilarious.

But now I have to admit I loooove Love Actually!! (God I'll never be invited back here)

fail_safe said...

This is one of my favorite movies. I think the relationship that the lead character has with his friends is really great. The downfall of the movie for me is Andie McDowell. This movie would have been perfect if it wasn't for her. She must have a deal with the devil because she continues to get work.

Claudia said...

I couldn't watch the John Hanna scene...I am in no mood to get all teary (and it does it to me every time.) However, the second clip, I cried too...but from laughter.

Claudia said...

ps...just went through the comments and I have to mostly agree...the chemistry between Andie M. and Hugh G. was non-existent, but the friends were amazing! It made the movie.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, loved the movie, didn't buy Andie and Hugh either. Her whole persona didn't fit there at all, not sure why they used her. Possibly that deal with the Devil that ninety9 mentioned. I do think that most romantic comedies bring together 2 people who barely know each other so Kim's comment confuses me. That message has been bad since Fred Astaire first put on tap shoes.

But this funeral scene makes me bawl every time I see it. Auden's poem was a perfect choice, Hannah is flawless.

Rowan Atkinson on the other hand - my jury is still out. He always overdoes it a bit, like a British Jim Carey but without the dramatic depth (!) - he always telescopes to the audience. Results are usually humorous but never great.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

skywalker - I know! In States folks would only call her that behind her back.

kim b. - ha. You will always be welcomed here even if you love Love Actually.

italianissima - I liked her character too. It's sad that the actress passed a way a few years ago

glamah16 - she is acting mostly in France these days and is doing it. I have to see her two latest when they come out here.

ninety9 - I think her best movie was Sex, Lies and Videotape.

moi - the father of the bride's face is priceless in that scene. He is not happy.

anna - Romantic comedies are so hard to pull off because we know that the couple will end up together 90% of the time so how do you make it interesting? The chemistry is so important.

I agree with you about Rowan. I liked him a lot in this movie but couldn't get into Mr. Bean.

erin said...

can you believe i've never seen this movie. it always slips my mind...but it's seriously going on my list right now!!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

erin - enjoy. It's a sweet little movie.

Jen said...

This was such a great movie. Back in the day when Hugh Grant actually was charming.