Search - The Wedding Party on DVD

Aka Thank God he met Lizzie

Peter Shelley | Sydney, New South Wales Australia | 11/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Australian film is unusual since it is written and directed by women yet concerns the emotional state of a man. It centres on Guy (Richard Roxburgh) marrying Lizzie (Cate Blanchett) yet still haunted by his past relationship with Jenny (Frances O'Connor). O'Connor here displays her range. Her Jenny is funny and impulsive yet messy and ugly, and easily no comparsion with the haughty dull Blanchett, so it's little wonder Guy has trouble forgetting her. Director Cherie Nowlan intercuts the marriage ceremony with Guy's memories, and adds comic quips and hilarious turns by Celia Ireland and Lucy Bell in minor roles. Roxburgh is likeably sheepish and the best I can say about Blanchett is that looks lovely in her wedding gown. The anaemic lighting by Kathryn Millis also gives the modern scenes an interesting dated look. I like the sadness that overtakes the film, giving the end a resonance. Screenplay by Alexandra Long. See this one."

Plesant little sleeper for fans of Cate Blanchett

K. Schwarting | 07/11/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This film was originally released in Australia in 1997 with the title "Thank God He Met Lizzie". The "he" of the title is Guy, a hapless single who has long been trying to overcome a breakup with Jenny (Frances O'Connor, "Mansfield Park," "A.I."). We see this breakup in flashback as Guy is preparing to marry Lizzie (Blanchett) after a whirlwind courtship.Throughout the courtship, and throughout the wedding, nothing seems quite right. Should Guy still be thinking about Jenny this much? Does he really love Lizzie, whose family has run roughshod over his desire for a simple wedding?None of these questions are really resolved in this pleasant sleeper, which isn't quite as much of a romantic comedy as the packaging would make it seem. There are two events that occur near the end of the movie that seem to indicate that Guy has made the wrong choice--but I won't spoil them here.The acting is all first-rate, and Roxburgh ("Moulin Rouge") carries the film well. But there is nothing truly special about this movie, and it might be best recommended to fans of Cate Blanchett."

Especially for fans of Richard Roxburgh

Julie L. Hayes | Florissant, MO USA | 02/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Wedding Party is a gem of a movie - a small film with a lot of heart. Richard Roxburgh is the main character, Guy Jameson, who is getting married to Cate Blanchett. On their wedding night, though, he is reflecting upon his prior live-in relationship with Frances O'Connor, and wondering if he is marrying the wrong woman. Richard Roxburgh is superb and you really get to like Guy, and feel for his dilemma (although I did find myself wondering what he saw in either one). Then again, Richard is great in everything he does, and not too hard on the eyes either! I highly recommend this film, especially the tree-trimming scene (my favourite)!"

For Cate alone

zaranda | Winnetka, CA United States | 12/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It doesn't matter whether this modestly amusing film has something to "say"--or not. It offers Cate Blanchett to marvel over. She invests her role with more of her "infinite variety" than it deserves, is wonderfully nuancy, incredibly erotic, and never once lets you wonder what she can possibly want with Richard Roxburgh. Watching her, near film's end, flouncing about half drunkenly in a clingy gown could easily become addictive.

Too bad there are no captions. The language is Aussie and, from time to time, a bit of translation would be helpful."