Watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding
- PG
- 2002
- 1 hr 35 min
-
6.6 (146,068)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 romantic comedy directed by Joel Zwick, written by and starring Nia Vardalos. The film follows the romantic journey of Toula Portokalos, a Greek-American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek, Ian Miller (John Corbett), and tries to find a way to reconcile her love life with her family's expectations.
The story begins with Toula, who is in her early thirties, working in her family's Greek restaurant, Dancing Zorba's. She is unmarried, and her family is worried about her single status. Toula has always felt like the odd one out in her family, which is due to her different interests and her inability to fit the traditional Greek norm of marriage and motherhood. Her father, Gus (Michael Constantine), is a staunch believer in preserving their Greek culture and is vocal about his disapproval of Toula's independent nature.
One day, Toula meets Ian, a handsome and charming teacher, who sweeps her off her feet. She then embarks on a journey to make her relationship work, even if it means straying from her family's expectations. The film shows the ups and downs of dating someone from a different cultural background, which is highlighted through the couple's complex courtship.
Throughout the film, Toula is torn between her love for Ian and her loyalty to her traditional Greek heritage. Her family is skeptical about Ian, partly because of their different cultural backgrounds, and partly because of their own traditional values. There are several humorous instances where Ian tries to adapt to the Greek way of life, such as attending Greek church services, eating moussaka, and learning to dance the traditional Zorba's dance.
As the movie progresses, we see Toula grow in confidence and assertiveness thanks to her relationship with Ian. She starts attending college classes, gets a job outside of her family's restaurant, and starts making her own life choices that are outside the sphere of her family's influence. Her newfound independence has a ripple effect on her family, who gradually start to come around to Ian and eventually accept the relationship.
One of the standout features of the film is the portrayal of Greek culture. The movie is infused with Greek customs and traditions, from the Greek Orthodox Church to the big, loud family gatherings. The director has done an excellent job of creating a warm and realistic representation of Greek life in America, with themes of family, love, and loyalty at its core.
Another its most significant assets is the cast, who have delivered outstanding performances. Nia Vardalos is exceptional in the lead role of Toula, who is relatable and endearing, and John Corbett is charming as Ian, the typical American all-around good guy. Michael Constantine is also outstanding in the role of Toula's stubborn father, Gus, who slowly learns to accept that Toula's happiness is more important than upholding long-held cultural values.
Overall, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a joyful and heart-warming romantic comedy that celebrates love and family in a beautiful way. It is a coming-of-age story that follows Toula's journey to self-discovery and finding her voice. The film's humor and the authentic depiction of Greek culture make it a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. It is a thoroughly entertaining film that is guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 62.