Tuesday, June 19, 2012

5 Off My Head - 2nd Best Wedding Turns 15

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Tomorrow is the fifteenth anniversary of director PJ Hogan's second wedding movie, My Best Friend's Wedding. The first having been the masterpiece that is Muriel's Wedding of course, which was how the Aussie came to get the Hollywood gig working with Julia Roberts - she showed excellent taste, being a big fan of Muriel. So say we all.

I was then and continue to be a big fan of My Best Friend's Wedding, even if the creaky "gay best friend" thing is something I have very little patience left for at this point... I suppose back in 1997 before it was driven into the ground it was a big deal, having Rupert Everett around totally not dying of AIDS, which was all we were good for in mainstream Hollywood at that point. (And I suppose we wouldn't have had a Karen Walker without it, so that's some comfort.)


There's even a look-quick-or-you'll-miss-it shot of his life away from his life-devouring lady-friend, where it appears he might have a boyfriend? Or other friends? A life of his own? But who knows - his character really only exists to tell the straights how fabulous their straight love is, blah blah. 

Okay that rant aside I really do love the movie. I mean, I once interrupted a three-way to finish watching the scene where Jules and Michael are riding the boat through Chicago - that's love! (Also, TMI?) Anyway in that spirit here in its fifteen-year-old honor is a list of five random favorite things from the film.

"I've got moves you've never seen..."


The way Dermot sucks the ring off her finger is obscene/sexy

The crazy lady who keeps repeating "Kimmy!" 
in the bathroom when Jules is trying to find her

"No! Creme Brulee can never be Jell-O.
You! Can never be Jell-O."

Rachel Griffiths and Carrie Preston, of course!
 
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What are your favorite Wedding moments?
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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

"5 off my head"

Paul Giamatti's tiny but excellent role as the bellman that lets her smoke in the hotel hallway.

George accepting the invite to the rehearsal dinner "Love to! Love the bag, love the shoes, love everything. Love to!"

Kimmey and Julianne discussing Michael's pros and cons, "But he sure can kiss."

Geoge talking with Julianne at the reception, "The misery, the exquisite tragedy. The Susan Hayward of it all."

On the way to the rehearsal dinner:
Julianne, "You're going to huniliate me, aren't you?" George, "Only if I can!"


And I could go on... I love this movie!

John said...

I really like this movie, and it was resposible for Will & Grace getting on TV. But I've not seen Muriel's Wedding yet, is my membership revoked?

joel65913 said...

Oh the misery, the exquisite tragedy, The Susan Hayward of it all!

remy said...

Best 90's rom-com!
I love how we are supposed to root for the villain. The karaoke scene is great, Cameron Diaz is very funny in it.

Maybe there won't be marriage... maybe there won't be sex... but, by God, there'll be dancing.

pony said...

Your three-way anecdote just became my favorite "My Best Friend's Wedding" moment. FYI, it can NEVER be TMI.

John said...

JA, what is that main banner from?

John T said...

Agreed-the threesome anecdote is never TMI (though the only thing I ever interrupted one for was to watch Charlie Hunnam in the pilot episode of Queer as Folk, but I digress). And why doesn't Julia have fun like this at the movies anymore?

John from Jersey said...

First of all...

SPOILER in case someone reading this comment has not seen the movie...

My favorite thing about My Best Friend's Wedding is the fact that it doesn't have a happy ending. She loses in the end, and it's sad and kind of painful (especially if you've been there) but it's great that Hogan did not try to change it for some cheesy, happy ending where everyone finds a mate. An American director would probably have screwed this up. Muriel's Wedding, too. Both movies have some harsh, dark elements that are not often found in the typical (Hollywood) romantic comedies, but it makes both movies better.

maja said...

oh how i love this movie despite julia (i was always team eric). that's how good hogan is.
i loved the ending as well, and that whole everett speech on the gigantic cell phone is just fantastic.
("i never told you my gown was lavender")

as for dermot and sucking the ring off her finger (just typing this makes my lady parts all jolly), well, the man alone is absurdly obscene.

John said...

The three-way part is the only interesting thing about this article, proving this blog is as much about sex as it is about movies.

Jason Adams said...

John at 10:52PM - The banner is from Blue Velvet.

Joe Reid said...

The thing I like is that George DOESN'T exist only to tell the straights how lovely their straight love is. He in fact is there to puncture Jules's straight-love fantasies and bring her gradually back to reality. He still exists to service her, but they at least let us know he finds it exhausting. Not revolutionary, but more measured than the tropes at the time.

Also: you never tell me ANY of your good three-way stories.