"Wedding Crashers" Review **SPOILERS** - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 07-15-2005, 11:30 AM

This movie looks cool. I have to see it. I love Vince Vaughn.

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**SPOILERS AHEAD**

Review: 'Wedding Crashers' Is a Blast

By CHRISTY LEMIRE

"Wedding Crashers" is like one of those awesome parties that's loud and rockin', booze-soaked and packed. All your friends are there, all your favorite songs are playing - but then something goes horribly wrong.

You've been to one of these. Some guy gets drunk and starts stumbling over the furniture and telling everyone what he really thinks of them. You're desperate to get out but can't because you're caught in the drama.

That's "Wedding Crashers" - a complete blast for about the first hour, hour and a half. Great cast, wickedly raunchy humor, pacing that leaves you breathless. But it just ... doesn't ... know when to ... end. And when it does end, it does so in a hackneyed romantic-comedy fashion that clashes with the inventiveness of everything that came before it.

Trim 20-30 minutes and you have a perfect comedy - and there's actually a natural stopping point that director David Dobkin and first-time screenwriters/best friends Steve Faber and Bob Fisher chose to ignore. (We'll let you see it and decide for yourselves.)

It would seem hard to go wrong with such an inspired premise: Two guys crash weddings to pick up bridesmaids and partake in the free food and drink. And it's hard to resist the chemistry of Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, who bring a subversive energy to the movie that often makes it feel improvised. (But it's easy to see how their characters get into so many weddings without getting caught. They're the life of every party - who wouldn't want to have them around?)

Vaughn's fast-talking Jeremy and Wilson's laid-back John are longtime friends and partners at a Washington law firm specializing in divorce. In the opening sequence, which comes out swinging, Jeremy spiritedly advises Dwight Yoakam to "get out there and get some strange (women)" as Yoakam divvies up property with Rebecca De Mornay.

Weddings are only useful to these devout bachelors as a means of having free, sneaky fun, until they crash the ultimate soiree: the black-tie, society-page nuptials of the daughter of Treasury Secretary William Cleary (played by Christopher Walken, which is a funny idea in itself).

While pretending to be venture capitalist brothers from New Hampshire, Jeremy quickly hooks up with the bride's cute but psychotically clingy little sister, Gloria (the effervescent Isla Fisher), while John finds himself smitten by Claire ("Mean Girls" star Rachel McAdams), another sister, who has a hard time taking the stuffy proceedings seriously.

But Claire has a boyfriend, the competitive, old-moneyed Sack (Bradley Cooper). This is one of the movie's biggest flaws: Claire, smart and slightly tomboyish, is a young woman who obviously thinks for herself, so it's hard to believe she'd stay with a jerk like Sack for 3 1/2 years. He's drawn too two-dimensionally, completely irredeemable.

Nevertheless, John and Jeremy wrangle a weekend-long invitation to the Cleary compound on the Maryland shore, where the majority of the absurd comic antics ensue. (And these Clearys are clearly modeled after the Kennedys. They sail. They play touch football on the lawn. They have an elderly, Irish-Catholic matriarch, played by Ellen Albertini Dow, the rapping granny from "The Wedding Singer.")

Vaughn's Jeremy bears the brunt of the weirdness in the manner to which we've grown accustomed. This is his "Swingers" character 10 years later - still working the angles and talking his way out of trouble, still bedding women through the sheer power of his magnetism, even though he's way too old for such activities. This is essentially the same guy he has played in every movie since "Swingers," but here he's at the height of his powers. It would seem he can go no further, and it makes you wonder what else he can do. (Oh, wait. We've seen it. It was called "The Cell.")

Wilson, meanwhile, is essentially playing the same guy he's played in nearly every movie, too, since "Bottle Rocket" in 1996. He's the charmingly low-key, surfer-dude straight man in the buddy-comedy combo. And again, it's a role he's mastered, but it makes you curious to see what else he can do. (Oh wait. We've seen that, too. It was called "Behind Enemy Lines.")

And because you have Vaughn and Wilson in the same movie, you know it's only a matter of time before another member of their posse shows up - will it be Ben Stiller? Owen's brother, Luke? - since they all cross-pollinate one another's films.

This is another tidbit we'll choose not to divulge. We'll just say that by the time he arrives, the party's long been over. "Wedding Crashers," a New Line Cinema release, is rated R for sexual content/nudity and language. Running time: 116 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

*MIBabe03* · 07-15-2005, 11:55 AM

That movie does look kind of funny. Last week we went to my cousin's wedding, and during the reception there were a few hot guys that came over from another reception, and they started drinking and trying to pick up chicks. My cousin threw them out. My other cousin, Courtney, was really pissed off that he threw them out because the guys were really cute. She tried getting into their reception, but the door was guarded.

Brian Damage · 07-16-2005, 12:21 AM

Vince Vaughn is so underrated as a comic actor.

barwars · 07-16-2005, 12:20 PM

I think I'm going to go see it tonight, if not.... definitely sometime next week.

Superstar · 07-16-2005, 01:25 PM

it seems a little lame to me.

LucyCompanyPhan · 07-17-2005, 02:27 AM

It was pretty funny. The first half of the movie is really great and really funny. The end of the movie dragged alittle but I still liked it.

***/****

Titania · 07-17-2005, 11:09 AM

I dont think I stopped laughing the whole movie...soooo good.

The grandmother

Agreed that the first half was the best and there were some parts towards the end that were a little slow, but still, totally recommend it.

The Modfather · 07-17-2005, 11:15 AM

Seeing it today with my mom, dad, sister and her boyfriend... and I'm not looking forward to it. I hear theres lots of nudity... it's gonna be akward. But it should be funny.

barwars · 08-05-2005, 07:29 PM

Okay, it took me a while to see it, but I finally did.

It was absolutely hysterical. "You shut your mouth when you're talking to me" was one of the funniest things I've ever heard.

The special guest star was a complete shock, after which I heard every sort of reaction possible. The audience literally gasped, and then shouted out various obscenities.

Rene · 08-05-2005, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Modfather

Seeing it today with my mom, dad, sister and her boyfriend... and I'm not looking forward to it. I hear theres lots of nudity... it's gonna be akward. But it should be funny.

oh gosh i feel bad for you i saw it alone and i was still embarassed

lol well anyway its one of the greatest movies on the earth so i reccommend it to everyone

Janice · 01-06-2006, 12:15 AM

This movie is a riot. Vince Vaughn is a hilarious comic actor. It did lag towards the end. It shouldn't have been two hours long.

The funniest line was when Vaugh's character spent a night of craziness being tied up in bed, and told his friend that he had to call his psychiatrist, "With a whole new set of issues. All discussion about Mom has to wait."

If anyone wants to laugh out loud, this is the movie.

Dean Winchester · 01-06-2006, 12:26 AM

its funny how Vince did a number of serious movies in the late 90's and while people thought he was an up and coming star, his star never really took off... and then he finally decided to "regress" and just do funny movies like this and Anchorman and suddenly he's an A-lister and he's scoring with Jennifer Aniston.

Karen* · 01-06-2006, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUNG UP!

its funny how Vince did a number of serious movies in the late 90's and while people thought he was an up and coming star, his star never really took off... and then he finally decided to "regress" and just do funny movies like this and Anchorman and suddenly he's an A-lister and he's scoring with Jennifer Aniston.

But that's kind of a good thing, right?

I love this movie. I saw in the theaters and I thought it was simply a feel-good movie. I'm so getting the DVD.

Mr. Stefani · 01-06-2006, 02:15 AM

wayy too long. i fell asleep an hr and 20 minutes through.

LucyCompanyPhan · 01-06-2006, 02:32 AM

I bought it on dvd this week when it came out. I love this movie. I watched part of it but I had to turn it off. I hope its humor still holds up. I also got The 40 year old Virgin for christmas. I can't wait to just sit down and watch some good romantic comedies this weekend.

07-15-2005, 11:30 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	"Wedding Crashers" Review SPOILERS This movie looks cool. I have to see it. I love Vince Vaughn. ----------------------------------------------------------------- SPOILERS AHEAD Review: 'Wedding Crashers' Is a Blast By CHRISTY LEMIRE "Wedding Crashers" is like one of those awesome parties that's loud and rockin', booze-soaked and packed. All your friends are there, all your favorite songs are playing - but then something goes horribly wrong. You've been to one of these. Some guy gets drunk and starts stumbling over the furniture and telling everyone what he really thinks of them. You're desperate to get out but can't because you're caught in the drama. That's "Wedding Crashers" - a complete blast for about the first hour, hour and a half. Great cast, wickedly raunchy humor, pacing that leaves you breathless. But it just ... doesn't ... know when to ... end. And when it does end, it does so in a hackneyed romantic-comedy fashion that clashes with the inventiveness of everything that came before it. Trim 20-30 minutes and you have a perfect comedy - and there's actually a natural stopping point that director David Dobkin and first-time screenwriters/best friends Steve Faber and Bob Fisher chose to ignore. (We'll let you see it and decide for yourselves.) It would seem hard to go wrong with such an inspired premise: Two guys crash weddings to pick up bridesmaids and partake in the free food and drink. And it's hard to resist the chemistry of Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, who bring a subversive energy to the movie that often makes it feel improvised. (But it's easy to see how their characters get into so many weddings without getting caught. They're the life of every party - who wouldn't want to have them around?) Vaughn's fast-talking Jeremy and Wilson's laid-back John are longtime friends and partners at a Washington law firm specializing in divorce. In the opening sequence, which comes out swinging, Jeremy spiritedly advises Dwight Yoakam to "get out there and get some strange (women)" as Yoakam divvies up property with Rebecca De Mornay. Weddings are only useful to these devout bachelors as a means of having free, sneaky fun, until they crash the ultimate soiree: the black-tie, society-page nuptials of the daughter of Treasury Secretary William Cleary (played by Christopher Walken, which is a funny idea in itself). While pretending to be venture capitalist brothers from New Hampshire, Jeremy quickly hooks up with the bride's cute but psychotically clingy little sister, Gloria (the effervescent Isla Fisher), while John finds himself smitten by Claire ("Mean Girls" star Rachel McAdams), another sister, who has a hard time taking the stuffy proceedings seriously. But Claire has a boyfriend, the competitive, old-moneyed Sack (Bradley Cooper). This is one of the movie's biggest flaws: Claire, smart and slightly tomboyish, is a young woman who obviously thinks for herself, so it's hard to believe she'd stay with a jerk like Sack for 3 1/2 years. He's drawn too two-dimensionally, completely irredeemable. Nevertheless, John and Jeremy wrangle a weekend-long invitation to the Cleary compound on the Maryland shore, where the majority of the absurd comic antics ensue. (And these Clearys are clearly modeled after the Kennedys. They sail. They play touch football on the lawn. They have an elderly, Irish-Catholic matriarch, played by Ellen Albertini Dow, the rapping granny from "The Wedding Singer.") Vaughn's Jeremy bears the brunt of the weirdness in the manner to which we've grown accustomed. This is his "Swingers" character 10 years later - still working the angles and talking his way out of trouble, still bedding women through the sheer power of his magnetism, even though he's way too old for such activities. This is essentially the same guy he has played in every movie since "Swingers," but here he's at the height of his powers. It would seem he can go no further, and it makes you wonder what else he can do. (Oh, wait. We've seen it. It was called "The Cell.") Wilson, meanwhile, is essentially playing the same guy he's played in nearly every movie, too, since "Bottle Rocket" in 1996. He's the charmingly low-key, surfer-dude straight man in the buddy-comedy combo. And again, it's a role he's mastered, but it makes you curious to see what else he can do. (Oh wait. We've seen that, too. It was called "Behind Enemy Lines.") And because you have Vaughn and Wilson in the same movie, you know it's only a matter of time before another member of their posse shows up - will it be Ben Stiller? Owen's brother, Luke? - since they all cross-pollinate one another's films. This is another tidbit we'll choose not to divulge. We'll just say that by the time he arrives, the party's long been over. "Wedding Crashers," a New Line Cinema release, is rated R for sexual content/nudity and language. Running time: 116 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

07-15-2005, 11:55 AM	#2
MIBabe03 Loving Swingtown! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 28, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 4,646	That movie does look kind of funny. Last week we went to my cousin's wedding, and during the reception there were a few hot guys that came over from another reception, and they started drinking and trying to pick up chicks. My cousin threw them out. My other cousin, Courtney, was really pissed off that he threw them out because the guys were really cute. She tried getting into their reception, but the door was guarded.
	__________________ Laura and Mario November 10, 2006

07-17-2005, 02:27 AM	#6
LucyCompanyPhan Hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 25, 2001 Location: a far away place in sitcomville Posts: 2,254	It was pretty funny. The first half of the movie is really great and really funny. The end of the movie dragged alittle but I still liked it. */**
	__________________ "Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness -- give me truth.”

07-17-2005, 11:09 AM	#7
Titania a part of that Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 04, 2000 Posts: 3,694	I dont think I stopped laughing the whole movie...soooo good. The grandmother Agreed that the first half was the best and there were some parts towards the end that were a little slow, but still, totally recommend it.
	__________________ I don't mean to put on any pressure, but I know what a thing is right. and I spend every day reconfiguring my senses. I'll give you stars and the moon and a soul to guide you and a promise I'll never go I'll give you hope to bring out all the life inside you and the strength that will help you grow. myspace

07-16-2005, 12:21 AM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Vince Vaughn is so underrated as a comic actor.

07-16-2005, 12:20 PM	#4
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I think I'm going to go see it tonight, if not.... definitely sometime next week.

07-16-2005, 01:25 PM	#5
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	it seems a little lame to me.

07-17-2005, 11:15 AM	#8
The Modfather It Sure Does Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 12, 2003 Location: canada Posts: 21,149	Seeing it today with my mom, dad, sister and her boyfriend... and I'm not looking forward to it. I hear theres lots of nudity... it's gonna be akward. But it should be funny.

08-05-2005, 07:29 PM	#9
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Okay, it took me a while to see it, but I finally did. It was absolutely hysterical. "You shut your mouth when you're talking to me" was one of the funniest things I've ever heard. The special guest star was a complete shock, after which I heard every sort of reaction possible. The audience literally gasped, and then shouted out various obscenities.

01-06-2006, 12:15 AM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	This movie is a riot. Vince Vaughn is a hilarious comic actor. It did lag towards the end. It shouldn't have been two hours long. The funniest line was when Vaugh's character spent a night of craziness being tied up in bed, and told his friend that he had to call his psychiatrist, "With a whole new set of issues. All discussion about Mom has to wait." If anyone wants to laugh out loud, this is the movie.

01-06-2006, 12:26 AM	#12
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	its funny how Vince did a number of serious movies in the late 90's and while people thought he was an up and coming star, his star never really took off... and then he finally decided to "regress" and just do funny movies like this and Anchorman and suddenly he's an A-lister and he's scoring with Jennifer Aniston.

01-06-2006, 02:15 AM	#14
Mr. Stefani Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Posts: 20,757	wayy too long. i fell asleep an hr and 20 minutes through.

01-06-2006, 02:32 AM	#15
LucyCompanyPhan Hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 25, 2001 Location: a far away place in sitcomville Posts: 2,254	I bought it on dvd this week when it came out. I love this movie. I watched part of it but I had to turn it off. I hope its humor still holds up. I also got The 40 year old Virgin for christmas. I can't wait to just sit down and watch some good romantic comedies this weekend.