My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Receives Heartwarming Reviews

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is rated PG-13 for suggestive content and some nudity. The film was released in the United States on September 8, 2023, and has received generally negative reviews from critics. It is the third instalment in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise, written and directed by Nia Vardalos, who also stars as Toula Portokalos. The film follows the Portokalos family as they travel to Greece for a family reunion in the wake of the death of their patriarch, Gus. While the film offers beautiful scenery and a sweet story, it has been criticised for its lazy writing, lazy performances, and unnecessary plot points.

Plot summary

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is a 2023 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Nia Vardalos. It is the third installment in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise. The film stars Vardalos, John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Elena Kampouris, Gia Carides, Lainie Kazan, and Andrea Martin.

The film follows the Portokalos family as they grapple with the grief of losing their patriarch, Gus Portokalos, and Ian's father, Rodney, whose passing occurred a year before the events of the film. The family dynamics are explored as Nick, now separated, returns home and displays immature behaviour, while Athena and Yiannis care for Maria, who is battling dementia. Toula and Ian, though happily married, face the challenges of parenthood as their daughter Paris struggles with the responsibilities of college, unbeknownst to them.

The plot centres around a family reunion in Greece, instigated by Victory, a distant relative and the mayor of Gus' hometown, Vrisi. On their journey, the family faces various challenges and comedic situations. Aunt Voula introduces her assistant, Aristotle, who is also Paris' college-mate, and Toula reveals she is bringing Gus' journal to give to his three childhood friends in Greece.

Upon their arrival in Athens, the family is greeted by Victory and goes sightseeing. They find Gus' childhood home in the nearly abandoned Vrisi and meet Alexandra, Gus's old flame. However, Victory confesses that there is no actual reunion planned, and the family realises they were lured to the village in the hopes of reviving it.

The following day, the family explores the nearby town, where Toula searches for Gus's friends without success and ends up getting drunk on ouzo. Nick searches for the village's oldest tree, and Ian befriends a monk who has information about everyone's activities. Meanwhile, Aristotle attempts to communicate with Paris, who rebuffs his advances.

The family dynamics become more intricate as they meet Alexandra's son Peter, fathered by Gus, and his son Christos. They also encounter Alexandra's assistant, Qamar. The group bonds over dinner, and the younger generation faces their own set of challenges.

Toula informs her family about Peter, but she struggles to locate Gus' friends. With the help of Ian and the monk, they eventually succeed. Meanwhile, Toula discovers that Nick brought Gus' ashes to Greece, intending to scatter them by the oldest tree in Vrisi, per his father's wishes.

The family learns about Christos and Qamar's engagement and Paris's academic probation. Peter and Alexandra express disapproval, leading Ian to offer intervention for Paris. However, the younger generation chooses to address their issues independently.

The story concludes with a joyous celebration as Qamar's family joins them for her wedding to Christos. Paris opens up about her relationship with Aristotle, and the family scatters Gus' ashes around the tree. The film ends on a positive note, with the Portokalos family embracing new connections and creating lasting memories in Greece.

Critical reception

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 received generally negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of 29% based on 94 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4/10. The consensus on the website is that the film is ""amiable and sunny if often unamusing, [...] repeating much of what audiences loved the first time around but [suffering] from diminishing returns." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave the film a score of 35 out of 100, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.

One review on Rotten Tomatoes calls the film a "fever dream of bad choices", with "lazy writing, lazy performances, [and an] unnecessary plot". Another review on the same website states that the film is "mildly entertaining. Not too annoying. Was a good enough film to watch by myself at the theater when I had nothing else to do." A review on IMDb states that the film is a "disaster from beginning to end", filled with "aimless sentimental moments whose placement in the film didn't even make sense".

A review on RogerEbert.com states that the film is "escapist in a next-level way: it escapes from drama as well as life." The review goes on to say that the film is "filled with variations" of the same conflicts and resolutions that the previous films in the franchise are known for. The review also criticises the film for its handling of heavy themes, such as dementia, which are "received ludicrously well, with no emotional nuance".

A review on parentpreviews.com calls the film "vapid" and "devoid of charm", criticising the use of dementia as comic fodder. The review also points out the "surprise" amount of nudity in the film, as well as the "gross" habit of one character, Nick, who grooms himself at the breakfast table.

Despite the negative reviews, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 has grossed $39 million worldwide as of October 31, 2023.

Themes

The overarching theme of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' is the importance of family, with the film focusing on the Portokalos family as they navigate grief, love, and intergenerational connections. The film also explores cultural identity, with a strong emphasis on Greek traditions, cuisine, and behaviour.

The film highlights the challenges of parenthood, as Toula and Ian's daughter, Paris, faces issues with college and romantic relationships. At the same time, Toula and Ian themselves are dealing with the complexities of being married and raising a family. The film also touches on the impact of dementia, as Maria, Toula's mother-in-law, is shown to be battling the disease.

Another theme is the exploration of one's cultural roots, as Toula and her family travel to Greece and connect with their ancestral village. This theme is further emphasised by the presence of Syrian and Ukrainian refugees in the film, highlighting the complexities of immigration and intermarriage.

Additionally, the film addresses the challenges of blended families and cultural differences, particularly in the context of weddings and family gatherings. The character of Aristotle, Paris's college-mate and brief suitor, adds a layer of complexity to the story, as he navigates his relationship with Paris and his connection to the Portokalos family.

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' also touches on the complexities of intergenerational dynamics, as the older and younger generations navigate their relationships and try to understand each other's perspectives. The film highlights the importance of communication and acceptance within families, even when facing challenges and secrets.

Finally, the film explores the idea of 'home' and what it means to return to one's roots, as Toula and her family reconnect with their Greek heritage and the village of their ancestors.

Cinematography

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is rated PG-13 for suggestive material and some nudity.

The cinematography in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was led by ace comedy cinematographer Barry Peterson. Peterson's previous work includes Zoolander, Central Intelligence, and Game Night. The cinematography in the film has been described as modest and tasteful, serving the story.

The film was shot in Athens, Greece, and on the island of Corfu. The crispness of the nighttime scenes, which were shot in forests and on cobblestone streets, effectively conveys the idea of "darkness" without compromising the visibility of the actors. The bright blue of the Aegean and the zigzag lines of the hills of Corfu are amplified by Petersen's cinematography. The excitement in the visuals surpasses that of the story.

The production design team also contributed to the cinematography by creating sets and locations that complemented the camera work. The use of natural light and the attention to detail in the framing of each shot further enhanced the overall visual appeal of the film.

The cinematography in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 effectively captures the beauty of Greece and enhances the comedic and heartwarming moments of the film.

Comparison to the previous films

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is the third installment in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise. The film has been described as "formulaic", following a similar structure to its predecessors. The story once again revolves around the Portokalos family, who travel to Greece for a family reunion, mirroring the previous films' exploration of Greek culture and family dynamics.

However, there are some notable differences. The third film deals with the death of the family patriarch, Gus Portokalos, and the impact this has on the family. This adds a layer of grief and emotional depth to the story, with the characters grappling with loss and facing new challenges. The film also introduces new characters, including Gus's old flame, Alexandra, and her son Peter, who is Gus's unknown son, adding a twist to the family dynamics.

In terms of setting, the film showcases the beauty of Greece, with filming taking place in Athens, Corfu, and other picturesque locations. This provides a visually appealing backdrop to the story, similar to the previous films, but with fresh locations and scenery.

While the film has received generally negative reviews, with some critics noting its predictable nature and lack of humour, it still offers a light-hearted and heartwarming experience for fans of the franchise. It provides a comforting sense of familiarity, revisiting beloved characters and themes while also introducing new storylines and challenges.

Despite its shortcomings, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 can be enjoyable, especially for those who have followed the franchise. It offers a blend of comedy, romance, and family drama, staying true to the formula that made the first two films successful, even if it doesn't reach the same heights.

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