*(SPECIAL NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)
1990s saw great renaissance of British cinema. After many years of stagnation there appeared whole new generation of talented filmmakers, able not only to create new, interesting films that would enchant the critical establishment, but also to get in touch with tastes of general audience. The latter phenomenon could be seen in the series of British comedies that proved to be better, and in some cases even more popular and commercially successful than their Hollywood counterparts. One of them was Four Weddings and a Funeral, directed in 1994 by Mike Newell, immensely popular film that even competed for Academy Awards.
The script by Richard Curtis (best known for his excellent work on Black Adder television series) lacks the plot in usual sense. It is composed of the scenes that show the circle of friends - all 30-something mid-to-upper class Britons - gathering on each other's weddings. The only one who still hasn't tied the knot is Charles (played by Hugh Grant), self-confessed "serial monogamist" who simply doesn't believe that he would ever end his bachelor lifestyle. However, everything changes when he meets Carrie (played by Andie MacDowell), fashion magazine editor from USA. However, long time is about to pass before two of them realise that they are made for each other.
Success of Four Weddings and a Funeral is hard to explain at first glance. The plot is not very solid, the length of two hours seems a bit much for this kind of movie, and, finally, the gags in this film are funny, but not exactly hilarious (and that includes wedding scene scene in which famous comedian Rowan Atkinson plays inexperienced priest). On the other hand, director Newell had a good fortune to have a truly stellar cast at his disposal, and that was essential for the film which is character-driven instead of plot-driven. Although Hugh Grant plays more-or-less the same character he had played before (in Sirens and Bitter Moon) and would play again (in Notting Hill and countless other comedies), his performance still carries the film. His colleagues are equally impressive - Kristin Scott-Thomas is very effective in her role, Simon Callow is excellent as Charles' larger-than-life gay friend Gareth, while John Hannah as Gareth's lover Matthew brings pathos in a powerful scene that prevented this film from turning into conventional Hollywood-style romantic comedy. Andie MacDowell, although manages the role of Carrie very well, is overshadowed by her British colleagues. Four Weddings and a Funeral, with good acting, solid humour and adequate proportion of crying and laughing, is nevertheless a very good viewing experience and it could serve as a good explanation why British romantic comedies became so popular in the last decade.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on September 25th 2001)
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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/712-four-weddings-and-a-funeral?language=en-US
Critic: AA
