Four Weddings and a Funeral is an undoubtedly charming romantic comedy.
Directed by Mike Newell, it stars Hugh Grant as a bachelor forced to confront the possibility that he may have stumbled upon love, a predicament he must sort through over the course of five social occasions, hence the title.
Having seen the film years ago, I’d forgotten just how brilliantly the final quarter unfolds. It is easily my favourite part. I am convinced those last twenty minutes are a major reason why this film became a true classic and helped put all involved, including writer Richard Curtis, firmly on the map.
The smart writing and charming performances build toward a suspenseful final act that had me imagining the reactions of several key characters all at once, before the fully satisfying conclusion. And by ‘fully satisfying,’ I’m not referring to the neat wrapping up of the side romances, but something else entirely.
Newell’s film delivers plenty of laughs and smiles. Considering Grant’s character’s tendency to fumble his words at crucial moments, it also requires a little patience from viewers, so prepare yourself. On the other hand, for a perfectly delivered Grant speech, I recommend The Gentlemen (2020).
Other key highlights of Newell’s film include:
- The refreshing way unrequited love is handled
- The sophisticated style of the characters played by Andie MacDowell and Kristin Scott Thomas
- The particularly arresting shade of blue in Grant’s eyes in daylight, which frankly deserves its own mention
Watch Four Weddings and a Funeral if you are curious, even if only for the final twenty minutes. They really are worth it.
Happy Film Loving,
G
