I hate to sound like a critic, but "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" is the best movie of the year. Nia Vardalos, the star and writer of this movie has created a masterpiece. Off the top of my head, I think only Neil Simon packs as many genuine laughs into his screenplays, as Nia does in this one.
Nia is wonderful as Toula Portokalos, and John Corbett is a perfect Ian Miller, her suitor. The performances of the other players are excellent across the board. From Michael Constantine (father Gus), to Lainie Kazan (mother Maria), to Andrea Martin (aunt Voula). Bess Meisler is a hoot as Gus's mother, recently brought over from Greece.
The story itself is a standard. Toula, 30, single, and "old looking" (her fathers words), is stuck in a dead end job as a waitress (she prefers the title "seating hostess"). She decides to go to college to study computer science, and, having taken this bold step out into the real world, a transformation occurs. She gains confidence, chucks her eyeglasses for contacts, and, after taking a job in her aunt's travel agency, attracts Ian. This all doesn't sit well with her father, only because Ian Miller is not Greek. If he were Greek, Gus would be in heaven, but there would be no movie.
Luckily for us, he isn't Greek, and there is this wonderful film. Gus puts up a bit of a fight over Ian's non-Greekness, but Maria intervenes, and sees the true love that Toula has found, which is something the whole family has been hopeing for. Ian's parents are quiet and reserved, providing the perfect contrast to the boisterous Portokalos clan. The courtship is brief and quickly progresses to the wedding, with many laugh filled moments in between. If given a chance, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" can be a huge success.
Nia is wonderful as Toula Portokalos, and John Corbett is a perfect Ian Miller, her suitor. The performances of the other players are excellent across the board. From Michael Constantine (father Gus), to Lainie Kazan (mother Maria), to Andrea Martin (aunt Voula). Bess Meisler is a hoot as Gus's mother, recently brought over from Greece.
The story itself is a standard. Toula, 30, single, and "old looking" (her fathers words), is stuck in a dead end job as a waitress (she prefers the title "seating hostess"). She decides to go to college to study computer science, and, having taken this bold step out into the real world, a transformation occurs. She gains confidence, chucks her eyeglasses for contacts, and, after taking a job in her aunt's travel agency, attracts Ian. This all doesn't sit well with her father, only because Ian Miller is not Greek. If he were Greek, Gus would be in heaven, but there would be no movie.
Luckily for us, he isn't Greek, and there is this wonderful film. Gus puts up a bit of a fight over Ian's non-Greekness, but Maria intervenes, and sees the true love that Toula has found, which is something the whole family has been hopeing for. Ian's parents are quiet and reserved, providing the perfect contrast to the boisterous Portokalos clan. The courtship is brief and quickly progresses to the wedding, with many laugh filled moments in between. If given a chance, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" can be a huge success.