Rhiannon Hendricks
Muriel's Wedding is an Australian comedy-drama film released in 1994. It stars Toni Collette as Muriel, a socially awkward young woman from the fictional town of Porpoise Spit who dreams of having a glamorous wedding and moving to Sydney. The film follows Muriel's journey as she navigates her domineering father, shallow friends, and her obsession with weddings, ultimately finding personal empowerment. With a mix of humour, quirky characters, and a nostalgia-heavy soundtrack, the film received positive reviews and has become a cult classic. It also inspired a musical adaptation, which ran for 2 hours and 45 minutes (including a 20-minute interval).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 1 hour 46 minutes |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Rating | R |
| Release date | 29 September 1994 |
| Awards | Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy |
| Rotten Tomatoes score | 82% |
| Metacritic score | 63 out of 100 |
| Box office gross in Australia | AU$15.8 million |
| Box office gross in the US and Canada | US$15.1 million |
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What You'll Learn
Plot summary
Muriel's Wedding is an Australian comedy-drama film that premiered at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and was released in Australia on 29 September 1994. The film stars Toni Collette as Muriel, a socially awkward young woman who dreams of having a glamorous wedding to escape her mundane life in the fictional beach town of Porpoise Spit and her oppressive, domineering father, Bill, a corrupt politician who constantly belittles his family. Muriel's mother, Betty, is dependent on her husband and has difficulty functioning without him. Muriel's friends, Tania, Cheryl, Janine, and Nicole, ridicule her, and she spends her time listening to ABBA songs and daydreaming.
At the wedding of Tania and Chook, Muriel sees them having sex, and Tania is soon informed of their tryst by Muriel's new acquaintance, Rhonda Epinstall, an old high school connection. Rhonda moves to Sydney with Muriel, where Muriel changes her name and starts anew. Muriel joins a multi-level marketing business run by Bill's mistress, Deidre Chambers, and her "friends" officially ostracise her, uninviting her from their island holiday. Muriel uses a blank cheque from her mother to withdraw $12,000 and follows them to the island.
After returning from the island, Muriel agrees to marry South African swimmer David Van Arkle so he can join Team Australia in the Olympics. Muriel is paid $10,000 by David's parents for her cooperation. At her lavish wedding in Sydney, Tania, Cheryl, and Janine are bridesmaids, while Rhonda refuses to participate. Bill openly treats Deidre as his date, and Betty, Muriel's mother, is late because she cannot afford plane tickets. After the wedding, David makes his lack of interest in Muriel clear to her.
Back in Porpoise Spit, Betty accidentally shoplifts a pair of sandals and is reported by wedding guest Dianne, a department store detective. Bill arranges for the charges to be dropped, but when Betty pleads with him for help, he announces his intention to divorce her and marry Deidre.
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Cast
Muriel's Wedding is an Australian comedy-drama film that premiered in 1994. The film stars Toni Collette as Muriel Heslop, a socially awkward young woman from the fictional town of Porpoise Spit who dreams of getting married. Muriel is constantly belittled by her domineering father, Bill, played by Bill Hunter, a corrupt politician. Muriel's shallow and egotistical friends, Tania, Cheryl, Janine, and Nicole, also ridicule her.
While attending the wedding of Tania and Chook, Muriel sees them having sex. Soon after, she is recruited into a multi-level marketing business by her father's rumoured mistress, Deidre Chambers. Muriel's "friends" officially kick her out of their group and plan an island holiday without her. Muriel uses her mother Betty's money to follow them to the island, where she meets Rhonda Epinstall, played by Rachel Griffiths, an old high school acquaintance.
Muriel and Rhonda move to Sydney, where Muriel changes her name to Mariel and gets a job at a video store. She briefly dates Brice Nobes, an awkward but kind man. Rhonda is diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in her spine, which leaves her paraplegic, and Muriel promises to look after her. Muriel uses Rhonda's health crisis to indulge her wedding obsession, trying on wedding dresses and taking photographs.
The film received positive reviews and was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress for Collette. The music of ABBA forms the backbone of the film's soundtrack, with songs including "Dancing Queen", "Waterloo", and "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do".
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Soundtrack
The soundtrack to Muriel's Wedding has been described as "nostalgia-heavy". ABBA songs form the backbone of the soundtrack, with songwriters Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson allowing their use in the film. ABBA songs that feature include "Dancing Queen", "Waterloo", and "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do". "Dancing Queen" was also adapted as an orchestral piece for the film.
Muriel is a socially awkward young woman who spends her time listening to ABBA songs and dreaming of a glamorous wedding to get her away from her dead-end hometown. Other songs included in the soundtrack are "Sugar Baby Love" by The Rubettes, "The Tide Is High" by Blondie, "I Go to Rio" by Peter Allen, and "Happy Together" by The Turtles. The film also features an original score by a wedding band, including a rendition of "Amazing Grace".
In 2016, Sydney Theatre Company produced a musical adaptation of Muriel's Wedding, incorporating songs by ABBA as well as original music by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall.
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Reception
The reception of Muriel's Wedding has been generally positive, with the film receiving positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film premiered at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and was released in Australia on 29 September 1994, grossing AU$2.2 million in its opening week. It received a score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7/10 rating, with critics describing it as "heartfelt and quirky" and praising its mix of "awkward comedy" and "oddball Australian characters". Similarly, the film has a score of 63 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favourable reviews".
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times particularly praised the film's "merciless" portrayal of provincial society while also capturing the "huge affection for its misfit survivors". He also highlighted the film's ability to balance humour and melancholy, stating that "the film's good heart keeps it from ever making fun of Muriel".
The film's cast, including Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Jeanie Drynan, and Bill Hunter, has also been widely praised. The characterisation and performances are described as "brilliant", with particular mention given to the portrayal of Muriel's family and the complexities of small-town life. The film's script, written by PJ Hogan, is lauded as "lean and twisty", offering a unique perspective on personal empowerment and the insularity of small towns.
The film has also been celebrated for its soundtrack, heavily featuring the music of ABBA, including songs like "Dancing Queen", "Waterloo", and "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do". The use of ABBA's music is credited with adding to the film's nostalgic and quirky tone.
However, some viewers have found the film's portrayal of its characters and themes less relatable and engaging. Some critics note that the characters' decisions and actions can feel "weird" and "contrived", making it challenging to connect with them. Additionally, the film's depiction of Muriel's preoccupation with changing her name and getting married has been seen as a barrier to empathising with her journey.
Despite these mixed reactions, Muriel's Wedding has endured as a memorable and offbeat comedy, with a dedicated fan base that continues to celebrate its unique blend of humour, heart, and Australian wit.
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Running time
'Muriel's Wedding' is a 1994 Australian comedy-drama film starring Toni Collette as Muriel, a socially awkward young woman from the fictional town of Porpoise Spit. The film follows Muriel's ambition to have a glamorous wedding and improve her life by moving away from her oppressive family and small-town roots.
The film has a running time of 1 hour and 46 minutes, during which Muriel navigates various challenges and adventures, including leaving her hometown, striking up an unlikely friendship with fellow outcast Rhonda, and becoming engaged to a popular sports hero. The plot also involves Muriel's elaborate wedding in Sydney, where she is joined by her former friends and family members, and the unexpected twists that arise along her path to the altar.
The film received positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its characterisation, quirky humour, and heartfelt moments. It has been described as a mix of awkward comedy and oddball Australian characters, with a nostalgia-heavy soundtrack featuring ABBA songs.
In addition to its critical acclaim, 'Muriel's Wedding' was a commercial success, grossing AU$2.2 million in its opening week in Australia and eventually earning AU$15.8 million at the Australian box office. The film also saw international success, grossing US$15.1 million in the United States and Canada.
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Frequently asked questions
The film Muriel's Wedding has a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes.
You can watch Muriel's Wedding on Paramount+, Fandango at Home, or Apple TV. You can also rent or buy it on Fandango at Home.
Muriel's Wedding is about a socially awkward woman who dreams of a glamorous wedding to get her away from her small town and domineering father. She absconds with her family's savings to an island resort, where she meets and befriends Rhonda. Muriel eventually moves to Sydney, where she becomes engaged to a popular sports hero.
Muriel's Wedding stars Toni Collette as Muriel, Rachel Griffiths as Rhonda, Jeanie Drynan, Sophie Lee, and Bill Hunter.
