Muriel's Wedding (1995)

Friends in sickness and in health

I've already lost count of the times I have seen this movie. And every time I laugh and cry, sing and dream. "ABBA" is here to stay and the film plays tribute to this great band. Muriel wants a married life and is ready to do whatever it takes to make her dream come true. She settles in Sydney and starts a journey that will change her life forever. It's beautiful to see how situations change a person's perspective of life and the pain and sorrow of past mistakes can make wonders. True friendship is always present and a different kind of love comes her way: the love of support and understanding. Toni Collette is just fabulous and I would recognize Rachel Griffiths later in "Six Feet Under". They are great actresses who bring life into a character. And that is always a pleasure to see. "Muriel's Wedding" is just like "ABBA": a strong injection of good mood. October 27, 2008

Muriel's Wedding

A dysfunctional family, Muriel who lives in a fantasy world and a cast of unforgettable characters. This classic Australian film has it all; comedy,bitter-sweet moments and gut-wrenching poignancy.
I have taught this film for film studies and it has been acclaimed by audiences of all ages. It rates as one of my top ten films. Watch it. You will not be disappointed. October 21, 2008

Simply, Superb !

I'm so glad for having this Australian film on DVD because my first product was the VHS version and I enjoy it so much. The main message of the story is "the friendship". The performance of all the actors, the music, the story and the locations are superb !!! No more words for this masterpiece as a romantic comedy by Toni Collect and don't miss it. September 13, 2008

This movie is better than an ABBA song...

Toni Collette is utterly adorable (in that funny looking girl touches heart kind of way) in the surprise stunner `Muriel's Wedding'; a film about a young girls dream of getting married. The film is the perfect vehicle for Collette to dominate with a wonderfully complete character that is easy to love, easy to understand and fully deserving of our adoration.

The film revolves around Muriel Heslop, a somewhat unattractive young woman who dreams of one day saying her vows across from her Prince Charming, but her dreams are often crushed down by her snotty friends and unsupportive father. Constantly thought of as a worthless slacker, Muriel strives above all else to prove she is worth something, and she believes that she can accomplish this only by getting married, showing everything that thought she was worthy that she is indeed desirable. She leaves home (the small town of Porpoise Spit) for Sydney where she finds herself a job and a roommate and a whole new life. The film brings us through her journey, through the ups and downs, the boyfriend and the best friend and the eventual wedding, but what is more profound is the emotional journey that Muriel undergoes that uproots everything she thought she knew about life and where she was headed.

The film is carried along effortlessly by a brilliant script that mixes well the comedic as well as the tragic sides of life; allowing us to laugh and cry with Muriel. The script is further embellished by Collette's fantastic, Oscar worthy performance (in such a weak year I often wonder how the true gem performances were passed over by Oscar). As Muriel she invites the audience to feel her every emotion and she embodies a complete woman so effortlessly. Sure, some of the gags poke fun at her outward appearance, but what is so beautiful about `Muriel's Wedding' is that in the end it is her inward appearance that wins our hearts.

Collette and company (including splendid performances by Rachel Griffiths and Bill Hunter) deliver a film that is rich in emotional depth and pure likeability. I approaches the subjects of loyalty, friendship, love and trust with the right amount of humor to offset the seriousness but never so much that it makes light of the situation.

It's funny; it's sweet; it's genuine and it's sincere. Overall `Muriel's Wedding' is a real delight. August 28, 2008

If you like Mamma Mia! it's time to rediscover Muriel

I saw the new Mamma Mia! movie last night and it was fun, but it could not hold a candle to Muriel's Wedding, which is my favorite ABBA-themed movie (wedding-themed and ABBA-themed, quite a specialized genre!).

Muriel's Wedding is not a full-on musical, but features ABBA music throughout (including Dancing Queen, Waterloo, and Fernando) as sad-sack Muriel dreams of leaving her dead-end existence in Porpoise Spit behind for life in the big city and hopefully, a fantasy wedding. The lack of a groom is the least of Muriel's obstacles.

The Australian comedy stars a young Toni Collette (known now for playing mother roles in The Sixth Sense, About a Boy, and Little Miss Sunshine) and Rachel Griffiths, who went on to co-star in Six Feet Under and Brothers and Sisters on US television.

Muriel's Wedding is funny, satirical, campy, and ultimately celebrates true friendship triumphing over the illusion of romance taking us away from it all.



July 19, 2008

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