The Big Wedding": Worth Your Time Or A Big Waste

Should you watch The Big Wedding? Well, it depends on what you're looking for. The 2013 romantic comedy, which stars Robert De Niro, Katherine Heigl, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, and Robin Williams, follows a divorced couple who pretend to be happily married during their son's wedding to avoid an awkward situation with his biological mother. While the film has some big names attached, it received mostly negative reviews, with some critics calling it contrived, strained, and unimaginative. However, a few viewers found it to be a sweet, funny movie. So, if you're in the mood for a light-hearted comedy and don't mind predictable plotlines, The Big Wedding might be worth a watch.

All-star cast

The Big Wedding is a 2013 American comedy film written and directed by Justin Zackham. The film features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including several Oscar winners and nominees. Here is a closer look at the all-star cast that brings this riotous comedy to life:

Robert De Niro

Veteran actor Robert De Niro plays Donald Robert "Don" Griffin, one of the divorced parents who pretends to still be married to impress their adopted son's conservative biological mother. De Niro is one of the most acclaimed and versatile actors of his generation, with a career spanning decades and numerous iconic roles.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton portrays Eleanor "Ellie" Griffin, Don's ex-wife and the other half of the divorced couple pretending to be married. Keaton is a highly respected actress known for her versatile performances in a range of films. She brings her trademark charm and talent to the role of Ellie.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl takes on the role of Lyla Griffin, one of the three children of Don and Ellie. Heigl is a popular and accomplished actress, particularly known for her work in romantic comedies. Her performance as Lyla adds to the comedic dynamics of the film.

Topher Grace

Topher Grace portrays Jared Griffin, Lyla's 29-year-old brother who is an obstetrician and a virgin waiting for the "right one." Grace is a talented actor who has appeared in a range of films and television shows, showcasing his versatility.

Ben Barnes

Ben Barnes brings to life the character of Alejandro Soto Griffin, the adopted son whose wedding is at the centre of the film's chaos. Barnes delivers a brilliant performance, mastering an American accent and impressing with his Spanish skills.

Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon plays Beatrice Martha "Bebe" McBride, Don's girlfriend of eight years and Ellie's former best friend. Sarandon is an Oscar-winning actress who adds depth and talent to the ensemble cast.

Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried, an Oscar-nominated actress, portrays Melissa "Missy" O'Connor, Alejandro's fiancée. Seyfried's presence in the film adds to the star power of the already impressive cast.

Robin Williams

The late, great Robin Williams portrays Father Bill Moinighan, the priest who is set to marry Alejandro and Missy. Williams was a beloved and immensely talented actor and comedian, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Crude comedy

The 2013 romantic comedy "The Big Wedding" has been described as "cringeworthy", "a big FLOP", and "a disaster in the name of a movie". The film's humour has been criticised for being crude, repulsive, forced, and desperate.

The film's humour is largely derived from sex jokes, with one review stating that "all of the jokes are sexually-based". The sex jokes include laughing at divorced and married couples who have sex with one another, people who have too much sex, and people who don't have sex. The film also includes jokes about Catholicism, divorce, and open marriage.

The film's opening scene features a discussion of oral sex, with Robert De Niro's character about to perform oral sex on Susan Sarandon's character. The film also includes a scene where a 29-year-old virgin is seduced by a woman who strips to skinny dip with him, fondles him at the dinner table, and promptly wants to have sex again after his first time. Other sexual content includes a 9-hour orgasm, loud sex scenes, and adultery.

In addition to the sexual content, the film also includes brief nudity, with a woman's naked behind and side visible as she skinny-dips. The film also features strong language, with frequent use of words like "f--k", "s--t", "a--hole", and "c--t".

While some viewers found the film's humour entertaining, others felt that the crude comedy ruined what could have been a great movie. One review states that the film had "endearing and sweet family moments that were really its only saving grace". Another review mentions that the film had "a few low-hanging laughs", but that "the only noteworthy aspect of the movie is that it reminds viewers that sexuality doesn't simply disappear in older age".

Family dramedy

If you're a fan of family dramedies, you may want to consider watching "The Big Wedding". The movie centres around a divorced couple, Don and Ellie Griffin, who are forced to pretend to be happily married when their adopted son's conservative biological mother unexpectedly decides to attend his wedding. With their amused friends and adult children looking on, the Griffins confront their past, present, and future, all while trying to keep up the charade of marital bliss.

The movie has an all-star cast, including Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, and Katherine Heigl. It combines elements of comedy, drama, and romance, and is rated R for language, brief nudity, and sexual content.

Reviews for "The Big Wedding" are mixed. While some viewers enjoyed the endearing and sweet family moments, others found the plot contrived and the humour crude and forgettable. Some critics felt that the talented cast was stranded in a strained and unoriginal plot, while others appreciated the opportunity to see such a skilled ensemble on screen.

Ultimately, whether or not to watch "The Big Wedding" is a matter of personal preference. If you're looking for a light-hearted family dramedy with a touch of romance and comedy, then it might be worth giving it a try. However, if you're seeking a more nuanced or critically acclaimed film, this may not be the best choice.

Contrived plot

The 2013 American comedy film "The Big Wedding" has been described as "bland hackwork" with a lot of plot and many major characters that still manages to be a slog. The movie's plot centres around a divorced couple, Don and Ellie Griffin, who pretend to be happily married to impress their adopted son's biological mother, Madonna, who is travelling from Colombia to America to attend his wedding. This setup has been criticised as contrived, with the movie's humour described as "very little of which is funny."

The movie has been criticised for its over-reliance on clichés and stock characters, with one review stating that the movie's crime is "not incompetence, but indifference." The plot is further complicated by the inclusion of various subplots, including a pseudo-incestuous subplot involving Ellie and Don's oldest son, Jared, and Alejandro's biological sister, Nuria. There are also several random sexual parts that do not add to the plot.

One of the main issues with the movie is the lack of effort put into its creation. The opening scene, for example, is described as overlong and falling flat, with poor dubbing. The movie also features bad green screen work and stock footage that is noticeably low quality.

The Big Wedding has been criticised for its reliance on tired jokes and clichés, with one review stating that the movie is "a sleepy sex farce about stock characters who find themselves in clichéd situations due to circumstances too hackneyed to mention." The plot has been described as contrived and strained, with the humour falling flat.

Despite the movie's all-star cast, including Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, and Robin Williams, it received largely negative reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 7% rating, with an average rating of 3.2/10. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 28/100, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.

Poor reviews

The 2013 romantic comedy "The Big Wedding" has received generally poor reviews from critics and viewers. The movie has been described as "disappointing," with too much going on and random awkward sexual parts that... did not add to the plot line." The plot centres on a divorced couple who pretend to be happily married to impress their son's birth mother at his wedding. However, critics have called the story unimaginative and contrived, with "jokes" that are "telegraphed so far in advance."

One review from the London Evening Standard describes the film as "a big fat nothing," comparing it unfavourably to a "cash bar at a reception." The review also criticises the film for treading familiar waters without attempting to do so in a different or interesting way. Another review from Rotten Tomatoes calls the film a "stinker," with "failed attempts at humour, contrived nonsense, and immediately forgettable dialogue." The reviewer also expresses disappointment in the talented cast's involvement in such a mediocre film, particularly criticising the demeaning nature of the female roles.

The film has also been called a "cinematic tragedy," with one viewer expressing dismay at seeing an icon like Robert De Niro performing in some of the movie's scenes. Another viewer specifically criticises the film for its lack of depth and originality, comparing it unfavourably to episodes of the TV series "She's the Sheriff." The viewer also notes that the talent of the cast is both a blessing and a curse, as it highlights the mediocrity of the film's other aspects.

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews, a small number of viewers have expressed more positive opinions. One viewer describes the film as "sweet and funny," while another praises the "perfect" actors and storyline. However, these positive reviews do not seem to be the majority opinion.

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