Four Weddings and a Funeral - 25th Anniversary [Blu-ray]

"Four Weddings and a Funeral" may not be the greatest movie in the history, but it surely is the best modern romantic comedy I ever saw. The only film that can possibly surpass this delightful one is, perhaps, "When Harry Met Sally ..." Maybe tied. Hugh Grant has starred in many films since then, but his best role is still Charles of this film, who unwittingly finds his love in Carrie, an open-hearted American played by beautiful Andie MacDowell at his friend's wedding. One miatake is, he foolishly couldn't realize it before he let her go after one-night stand. But as the number of ceremony goes up (including one funeral), he gradually comes to notice that he threw away the best thing in his life. And while he is wondering what to do, friends around him start to search for their real love, including his own brother David, his timid friend Tom, Tom's sister Fiona, and Charles's eccentric roommate Scarlet. But where should Charles go? Going back to his countless ex-girlfriends? Or, Carrie? But she got already married. To be honest, a little abrupt ending of the film damages an entire movie's strength a bit, but all comedies have to pay the price to end the show within an appointed hour. What is incredibly splendid about "Four Weddings" is that the characters are all so lively and sparkling with witty dialogue that you think they are not acting at all. Actually, on top of Hugh Grant, many actors are still associated with the roles in this film even if they got more populality after this film; Kristin Scott Thomas is later to be nominated Oscar for her turn in "English Patient," but she will be remembered as deliciously aristocratic Fiona. John Hannah made his name popular through the Hollywood blockbuster series of "Mummy," but still he is kind-hearted Matthew to those who have seen him recite W H Auden (most touching moment) in "Four Weddings." This is that kind of film that changes the cast's life. It happens once in your lifetime. With this great ensemble cast, we have fantastic script by Richard Curtis, filled with funny lines uttered by completely believable characters. He does not fail to take great care of minor characters, and give them equally good moments. Look how Serena, in love with handsome David who is hearing impaired, learns sign. Trying to impress him, she mixes up "nice" with "mice," but, you know, when boys and girls are in love. nothing can stop them from understanding each other. Cute. Brilliantly written, "Four Weddings" is a superb model of romantic comedy. If you like this type of movie, you surely will fall in love with it; and if you're not, your mind will be changed just like mine (I didn't expected much from it, so I didn't go to theater until the last day). And the film never forgets the sad side of life as the title implies. Sad thing is one of the cast Charlotte Coleman, who played most unconventional bridesmaid Scarlett, has passed away recently. She is terrific.

Family favorite. Perfectly cast. Hilarious. Four Weddings and a Funeral is 117 minutes long--typical length for a feature movie. What's wonderful is that every one of those 117 minutes is a gem. Some minutes are hold-your-sides-while-roaring-with-laughter. Some are incredibly tender. While multiple romances are woven into the story, the big romance between Hugh Grant and Andie McDowell has the kind of tragic inevitability that makes you want to shout advice. "Hey, Hugh, the bus is leaving. The bus is leaving! THE BUS IS LEAVING. Ooops, bus gone." Even his slow recovery is touching and humorous. The story twists from tender to triumphal, then quickly tacks in an unexpected direction. It's a lovely story that never wastes a minute. If ever you must give a public speech at a social event, fear not. This movie can help. Watch Hugh Grant give some amazing speeches as the best man. What to say, how to say it, and a little what NOT to say--there are plenty of tips here. You can do it. Besides being a great movie to watch with folks at home, Four Weddings and a Funeral is on my short list of movies that perk you up when sick at home. A few others on my short list, if you're interested: The Replacements Dave (1993) The American President Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Robin Hood Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas American Flyers I hope this review (and the sick list) are in some way helpful.

This was the first of several films by screenwriter Richard Curtis to feature Hugh Grant, following with Bridget Jones's Diary, Notting Hill, and Love Actually (also directed by Curtis) and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Curtis’ natural flair for witty romantic comedy and Grant’s boyish way with romantic attachments made the pairing unusually successful. Curtis achieved his breakthrough success with Four Weddings and a Funeral. The film, starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell, was produced on a limited budget by the British production company Working Title Films. Inspiration for the film came when Curtis was flipping through some old diaries and realized that he had been to 72 weddings in 10 years. New Zealand-born English screenwriter Curtis, already a successful British comedy writer for TV and films, chose Mike Newell to direct the film after watching his TV film Ready When You Are, Mr. McGill. Four Weddings and a Funeral proved to be the top-grossing British film in history at that time. It made an international star of Grant, and Curtis' Oscar nomination for the script catapulted him to prominence. At one point, Alan Rickman was being considered for the role of Charles. Richard Curtis fought for him, but in the end it was decided he was too old for the part. While making the film, Hugh Grant thought the movie was awful. Grant had to learn British Sign Language for his scenes with his deaf brother, played by David Bower, who is deaf in real life. The poem read in the funeral is called "Funeral Blues" by W.H. Auden. The film also features Simon Callow, John Hannah, Kristin Scott Thomas, Charlotte Coleman, Rowan Atkinson and Corin Redgrave. The film follows the adventures of a group of friends through the eyes of Charles (Grant), a good-natured but socially awkward Englishman living in London, who becomes smitten with Carrie (MacDowell), an American whom Charles meets at four weddings and a funeral. The original score was composed by British composer Richard Rodney Bennett. The movie also featured a soundtrack of popular songs, including a cover version of The Troggs' "Love Is All Around" performed by Wet Wet Wet that remained at number one in the British charts for fifteen weeks and was then the ninth (now twelfth) biggest selling single of all time in Britain. This song would later be adapted into "Christmas Is All Around" and sung by the character of Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) in Richard Curtis' 2003 film Love Actually. The film was very well received with critics, becoming an unexpected success with worldwide box office in excess of $245.7 million, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, as well as Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

Richard Curtis’s breakthrough screenplay launched Hugh Grant’s career as the stammering romantic lead and established a template for British romantic comedies that persists decades later. The film succeeds through strong ensemble performances and Curtis’s sharp dialogue, even as the premise reveals itself as increasingly specific to its era. The cast elevates familiar material. Grant perfects the lovably flustered Englishman routine before it became tiresome through repetition. Andie MacDowell brings warmth to a role that could have registered as generic American love interest. The supporting players—particularly Simon Callow and John Hannah—provide emotional depth that prevents the film from floating away on charm alone. Hannah’s funeral eulogy remains genuinely affecting. What dates the film isn’t the 1990s fashion or technology, but the wedding-season social structure itself. The notion of a tight-knit group attending multiple elaborate weddings within a year now seems quaint—a artifact of a particular British upper-middle-class world that has largely dissolved. The anxiety around remaining single while friends marry feels less universal than it did in 1994. Curtis’s dialogue works best in smaller moments—the awkward encounters, the fumbled confessions—rather than the grand romantic gestures. Mike Newell’s direction keeps momentum through what amounts to repetitive structure, though by the fourth wedding, even strong performances can’t disguise the formula. Charming within its context, well-acted throughout, but very much a period piece masquerading as timeless romance. Worth viewing for the performances and understanding its influence on the genre.

On my only trip to England, in 1994, this movie was played on the way over on the British Airways flight. I found it funny then -- or, more to the point, witty -- and I love it still, 17 years later. Hugh Grant is at his best here -- urbane, hapless, smart and comical all at once. The funeral sequence I've used repeatedly in my college English literature class to illustrate the intense effect the reading of a "death poem" can have, as the deceased man's closest friend reads W. H. Auden's "Stop all the Clocks". (Auden captures the essence of loss without wallowing in morbid, lugubrious, maudlin language; I've never seen a more moving funeral service.) Andie McDowell is charming, and the additon of Rowan Martin ("Mr. Bean") as a novice, bungling clergyman, was an hysterically funny touch. I highly recommend this movie, even to someone (mostly men, I imagine) who find romantic comedy unappealing. Believe me, this is not your average "chick flick", guys.

Hugh Grant plays the lovable irresponsible party guy who, with no intention of marriage or even getting serious, thus has a host of angry former girlfriends who always seem to turn up to scold and embarrass him.. He and his well-heeled friends are all "20-30 Somethings" and are all at the ages when they're all getting married at the same time. This was a classic in the 90's when it first came out and is still pretty timeless; the styles and attitudes still pretty much in vogue, wedding gear not changing all that much. Funny, witty and colorful with the characters well written so that they seem like friends we've all known, this has a clever surprise ending (which by now everyone has seen) but is still well worth it. There are so many interesting people and subplots that it's a movie you can enjoy over and over again.

An outstanding comedy--perhaps the most sustained amusement I can remember in 40 years. Hugh Grant has played this character over & over again to the point where he has grown stale, but this was his first real comedy and if you've never watched him before, you'll enjoy his performance. The character actors are well-cast--especially Kristen Scott Thomas--one wishes she had been given more to do. The biggest problem in the film is Andie McDowell; she is painful to watch & is clueless in how to carry off comedy. Perhaps the small budget prevented the producer from casting someone more accomplished. With that said, I would include this film as one of my desert island DVDs & if you've never seen it before, you're in for a treat.

What is taken at face value is easily targeted with disdain. ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ is of no exception - and at many points it seems to revel in the monotony of its contents as shown through the honesty of its title. When finished its audience will feel many things - with being cheated out of exposition and what is expected to be character development two things that are high on this list. But what happens, however, when the moments not shown are the most important? The history of marriage is a convoluted one, but as many would agree the ideal union entails an equal partnership of sorts. More than this, marriage and weddings are often the result of an optimism for the eternal: It’s an acknowledgement of the moments and people that have crossed paths and have become held together by a profound sense of loyalty, honesty, and unconditional love. And then comes the funeral. Unlike marriage, death is most often the uninvited and unpredictable visitor - and with it comes a permanence in its inevitably. Attempts to escape it have been to no avail, and thus comes the justification for the funeral; the funeral marks a point where new memories and experiences with the deceased must be furthermore made in spirit, and is an ongoing reminder of the devastation that can come with change. Nonetheless, the funeral and death create something of a mirror for its witnesses as a theoretically formal opportunity for both private and public reflections. And while we never become privy to these moments - the ones preceding these monumental events that are an overture of emotion - is it not enough to assume that the attendance of these alone might have a considerable impact on the decisions Charles wants to make for his future? I realize I’ve said little about what this film does accomplish - and I guess the bottom line here is that what you see isn’t always what you get; ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ obviously enjoys forcing its viewers to read between the lines and orchestrates the affinity its characters have for growth in a way that requires some much needed effort and patience. And, yeah, perhaps I’m seeing something that isn’t really there. But at least I saw something, didn’t I?

Dvd arrivato in condizioni perfette, il film è molto bello e già lo conoscevo.

Good movie

Dieser Film aus dem Jahr 1994 von Mike Newell ist nicht nur eine herrliche Liebeskomödie, sondern auch der ultimative Hugh Grant-Film! Der sympathische Schauspieler feierte mit dieser herzlich britischen Komödie seinen internationalen Durchbruch. Die gesamten 113 Minuten spielt er seinen ganzen Witz und Charme aus. Der bunt besetzte Freundeskreis, der auf mehreren Hochzeiten tanzt, ist hinreißend schräg inszeniert und fabelhaft gespielt. Zur Story: Es gehört zu den Running Gags dieser britischen Komödie, dass der hübsche, hartnäckige Junggeselle Charles (Hugh Grant) und seine gute Freundin Scarlett (Charlotte Coleman), die in einer kleinen Wohngemeinschaft zusammenleben, regelmäßig am Morgen einer bevorstehenden Hochzeit im Freundeskreis prompt verschlafen. Noch hektisch unterwegs schmeißen sie sich in ihren feinsten Zwirn, um sich dann ins Getümmel des Festes zu stürzen, das mit seinen fein herausgeputzten, feiertäglichen Gästen auch so etwas wie ein Parkett für zarte bis wilde Liebesanbahnungen darstellt. Als Charles bei der Hochzeit eines Freundes, die er gemeinsam mit seiner Clique Scarlett, Matthew (John Hannah), Gareth (Simon Callow), Fiona (Kristin Scott Thomas) und Tom (James Fleet) besucht, als Trauzeuge fungiert, bezaubert ihn auf Anhieb die attraktive Amerikanerin Carrie (Andie MacDowell). Am Ende des stimmungsvollen Festes zeigt sich, dass auch Carrie für Charles entflammt ist, und die beiden verbringen eine Liebesnacht miteinander, bevor Carrie wieder in die USA zurückkehrt. Doch die nächste Hochzeit, auf der sie sich wiederbegegnen werden, ist nicht fern … Doch die stärkste, ergreifendste Szene kommt mit der Beerdigung. John Hanah liest die Trauerrede "Funeral Blues" von H.W. Auden nicht nur vor, er lebt sie...und man kann die eigenen Tränen nicht mehr zurückhalten. Stoppt jede Uhr, lasst ab vom Telefon. ein Knochen für den Hund, dann schweigt er schon, Lasst schweigen die Pianos, nur Trommeln, dumpf und schwer. Tragt raus den Sarg, die Trauernden ruft her. Lasst Flieger kreisen - Trauer sei Gebot, an den Himmel schreiben: Er ist Tot. Die weißen Taubenhälse sollen schwarze Kragen, und Polizisten schwarze Handschuh tragen.. Er war mir Nord, mir Süd, mir Ost und West; Des Sonntags Ruh'und der Woche Stress, Mein Wort, mein Lied, mein Tag, meine Nacht. Ich dachte, Liebe währet ewig - falsch gedacht. Sterne sind jetzt unerwünscht, will nichts sehen davon, verpackt den Mond, zertrümmert die Sonn'. Fegt weg den Wald und des Meeres Flut, Nie wird es mehr sein, so wie es war. Nie wieder gut... Aber auch das Liebesgeständnis auf der Straße, gehört für mich immer noch mit zu den schönsten der Filmgeschichte. Wunderbar auch der schrullige Rowan Atkinson, der hier nervös als Pfarrerneuling fungiert und einfach zum Schiessen ist. Also dann : "Im Namen, des Vaters, des Sohnes und des heiligen Schweißes..." Ein unglaublich sehenswerter Film und ein absolutes High-Light dieses Genres, der wirklich alles bietet und nach so vielen Jahren immer noch zu Recht zu einem der beliebtesten Filme zählt. Ein Klassiker, den man sich immer wieder gerne ansieht und sich keinesfalls entgehen lassen sollte.

It is almost the new carry on team only slightly more sophisticated. There is hugh grant playing.... well Hugh Grant, I've never seen him act any different, Simon Callow is very funny as is Rowan Atkinson as ever.There are great support roles from the rest of the team, the lovely Kristin Scott Thomas, Charlotte Coleman, James Fleet and John Hannah. The plot is beautifully manufactured from 'Toffs' attending a never ending round of marriages, remember that phase of life?. Simon Callow's character is brilliant torturing Americans only to come to a tragic end. He is well supported by the ever reliable John Hannah who is then very moving and funny in his eulogy, a very difficult skill. The plot centres around Hugh Grant and his sister Charlotte Coleman (a sore loss) always being late. The sub plot is Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell as the boy meets girl, separates, meets again and separates terminally except it is not. That's only after the indecisive Hugh Grant has committed himself, or has he? Cryingly funny and cryingly sad it's a great film and truly funny. Oh, nearly forgot, there is a token American in the form of Andie MacDowell for the American market.

おそらく撮影時３２歳のヒュー・グラント。役柄カッコ良すぎる青年にしないために、眼鏡をかけたり、にしたらしいが、私には３２歳ヒューは美しすぎる程にカッコ良い！ 作品としても、ヒュー演ずるチャールズの友人役の俳優さん達がいずれも個性派揃いで魅力的だし、何よりも脚本が最高！"I do."が３つの異なる答えとしてつかわれてるとこがミソ。ぜひとも、英語オリジナルで味わいたい。