Watch The Wedding

The Wedding is a romantic-drama film from 1998 that stars Halle Berry, Eric Thal, and Lynn Whitfield. The plot is centered around a young African-American couple, Shelby and Meade, who are about to get married. The film begins with Shelby, a successful photographer, and her fiancé Meade, a talented young writer, preparing for their upcoming wedding. Both of them come from upper-middle-class families, but they have different upbringings. Shelby is the daughter of a prominent African-American doctor who is respected in the community, while Meade's family is working-class and less affluent.

The movie explores the cultural differences between the two families and the challenges they face as a result. Meade's mother, Mrs. Cleary, is openly racist and disapproves of her son's relationship with Shelby. She believes that Meade is making a mistake by marrying a black woman and tries to sabotage the wedding at every opportunity.

Shelby's family is more accepting of Meade, but they have their own issues. Her father is struggling with a health problem, and her sister is dealing with relationship problems of her own. Shelby is torn between her love for Meade and her sense of duty to her family. She worries that the wedding will cause more stress for her father and sister, who are already dealing with their own challenges.

Despite these challenges, Shelby and Meade are determined to get married. They are in love and believe that nothing can stop them. However, as the wedding approaches, tensions continue to rise. Mrs. Cleary becomes more hostile, and Shelby's family becomes more stressed. The couple's future hangs in the balance as they struggle to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way.

The Wedding is a touching and emotional film that explores issues of race, family, and love. The performances by the cast are excellent, particularly Halle Berry, who gives a powerful and nuanced performance as Shelby. Eric Thal is also convincing as Meade, the conflicted writer who is torn between his love for Shelby and his loyalty to his mother.

Lynn Whitfield is also excellent as Mrs. Cleary, the racist mother who is convinced that her son is making a mistake by marrying a black woman. Her performance is chilling and provides an important reminder of the racism that still exists in today's society.

The movie also has a strong supporting cast, including Michael Warren as Shelby's father, and Carl Lumbly as Meade's father. The film's cinematography is also impressive, with beautiful shots of New York City and the surrounding countryside.

One of the strengths of The Wedding is that it does not shy away from difficult issues. The movie tackles challenging topics such as racism, family dynamics, and health problems with sensitivity and honesty. The engaging script and outstanding performances make the film a powerful statement on the challenges that people face when they try to bridge cultural divides.

In conclusion, The Wedding is a thought-provoking, engaging film that explores themes of love, race, and family in a nuanced and sensitive way. The outstanding performances by Halle Berry, Eric Thal, and Lynn Whitfield, combined with the excellent cinematography and an engaging script, make the movie a must-see for anyone who is interested in these topics.