My Best Friend’s Wedding:

Nuptial jitters

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Romantic, clever and fun are three words which you can associate with Australian director PJ Hogan’s nuptial rom-com ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’.

The story sees two of Hollywood’s top actresses, Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz, dueling for the affections of Dermot Mulroney. We are introduced to two couples as the tale unfolds: the dashing Michael and his perky fiancée Kimmy, and food critic Julianne and her editor George. Though Julianne and George are the best of friends, they pretend to be a couple to make Michael jealous. This is part of the scheme that Julianne cooks up to win back Michael after realising that she had been in love with him for nine years post their brief college fling.

For Kimmy, Julianne is the ‘ideal’ picture of a woman that Michael paints. She tried to stand up to Michael’s best friend’s image with unwavering determination. When Kimmy opens arms and offers Julianne the position of maid of honour, Julianne jumps at the prospect while plotting to break up the happy couple. Her resolution is such that she is even willing to play dirty to get her man. It is truly a wonder to see the charming Julia turn into a strategic vixen effortlessly.

Cameron too does not fall short as the spirited Kimmy. She is at times the livewire of certain episodes, making merry as the squeaky-clean bride-to-be. Dermot plays down his character at the beginning while skillfully unveiling his charm in later stages. Though his appearance is limited, Rupert Everett never fails to create an impression.

Due to the selfish and self-absorbed manner in which Hogan paints Julianne, the viewers cannot help taking a dislike to her. In this light Cameron’s pompous Kimmy wins the audience’s heart. You cannot help wishing that she and Michael will stay together.

The movie possesses enough intelligence and sentiments to prevent it from being labeled as a traditional and frothy romantic comedy. A smart script and skilled direction makes the movie an enjoyable watch. It keeps up the intrigue on who will end up with whom till the finale. There are some truly hilarious moments in the tale and the energy level is high so that there is not even a moment of boredom.

The laughter is mainly generated out of watching Julianne hovering in the background, witnessing her schemes spring into motion and then backfire unexpectedly. Well loved hits like Dusty Springfield’s ‘Wishin’ and Hopin’, Dionne Warwick’s ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ and John Denver’s ‘Annie’s Song’ are inserted into the story and add to its charm.

Hogan had previously directed another film connected with nuptials. However ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ embodies an entirely different storyline and techniques so that ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ sets off on a fresh start with hardly any recollections of the previous movie. The elements are not outdated so that the 2011 audience will enjoy it as much as those in 1997 when it was released. It is a rom-com which truly appeals to the heart and mind.