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By
NICK ZEGARAC
Mike Newell's Four Weddings
and A Funeral (1994) is a delightfully wacky --
often poignant -- glimpse into the phenomenon of
tacky British nuptials. It stars intercontinental
heartthrob Hugh Grant as the romantic fop, Charles
(pre-his Divine Brown days). Seems Chuck is
commitment shy. A struggling salesman, he lives
with his outrageously unhinged sister, Scarlett
(Charlotte Coleman) who, at one point in the story
leans into a complete stranger, kissing him on the
lips with the comment, "Don't let me have too much
to drink or I might get flirty." Scarlett and
Charles are a package deal -- making the rounds to
all their friend's weddings, either as bride's
maid, usher or just a duo who've showed up for the
food.
Now, Charles entourage of friends includes the
fashionably gay couple, Gareth (Simon Callow) and
Matthew (John Hannah), wealthy, though foppish Tom
(James Fleet) and the seemingly cold and critical
Fiona (Kristin Scott Thomas), who is actually
carrying a torch for Charles in secret. The film
meanders through a series of awkward and quirky
events, including one in which Charles discovers
that he has been seated at a table comprised
solely of his former lovers -- each, with an
embarrassing story to relate about their dating
experience.
However, things definitely begin to look up when
Charles accidentally gets introduced to Carrie
(Andie MacDowell) an American girl visiting Europe
whom he takes an instant fancy to. After a
passionate one night stand -- after which Carrie
haphazardly proposes marriage and is playfully
turned down -- the two part company and are
reunited only after Carrie is engaged to be
married to an elderly gentleman of means, Hamish
(Corin Redgrave).
All seems to be according to plan until Gareth is
stricken with a fatal heart attack. His sudden
death and the looming tragedy expressed over it at
his funeral forces everyone in Charles' entourage
to reconsider their stake in love and life,
particularly Charles, who has already agreed to
marry his neurotically unstable past love
Henrietta (Anna Chancellor) but is now having
second thoughts.
Newell's direction throughout the film is both
nimble and charming. He tempers the oft' manic
temperament of Rowan Atkinson (better known as the
irrepressible Mr. Bean, but employed herein to
excellent effect as the bumbling Father Gerald),
and seems to have a genuine understanding of how
both the light and more tragic elements need to
intermingle to create a lasting classic. This
reviewer predicts that Newell's flick will indeed
live up to that potential fifty years after the
fact.
The only reason to repurchase this disc is MGM's
new anamorphic transfer. While it's not quite as
stunning as one might have expected, the image
quality throughout is nevertheless solid. Colors
are fairly accurate, although they still appear a
tad pasty by my assessment. Flesh tones are pale
pink for the most part. Contrast levels seem just
a hint darker than they should be -- but again,
overall, the image is pleasant to watch and easy
on the eyes. Extras include several featurettes,
including a 'wedding planner' that is gimmicky at
best. Much more satisfying on the whole is the
film's varying audio commentaries. The deleted
scenes have not been cleaned up for this DVD.
Theatrical trailers and promotional junkets are
also included. Ho-hum. |
