Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) Film Review

When did I become so cynical and horrible? I used to love this film so much, a story of true love that just takes a while to finally bloom. Now, I see an idiot chasing a terrible woman with no real personality who plays with him like a cat with a small toy.

Okay, so Charles (Hugh Grant) is a man who has had a long string of serious relationships, but laments that none have led him to marriage even as many around him wed. Carrie (Andie MacDowell) is a mysterious American who he immediately falls for despite her having very little personality (quite an achievement since she has some absolutely charming lines, yet still comes across as being boring). And they end up taking this kind-of romance through four weddings and a funeral.

I think it is a very good film, but watching it now I found some of the key parts quite unbelievable and overly convenient. Still, overall I love the characters and the humour and it will still always make me cry. A Lot.

 

Four Weddings and a Funeral was nominated for Oscars for Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Richard Curtis)

Ping Pong Summer (2014) MIFF Review

US 92 Mins

It’s 1985. Rad Miracle (Marcello Conte) is on his summer holidays, trying to avoid his family and meet girls. First, he meets Teddy Fryy (Myles Massey), an African-American kid from Baltimore who shares his love of rap and breakdancing and they become tight. Then, he meets his crush, Stacy Summers (Emmi Shockley), a local girl addicted to slushies – with additives. But to gain her heart, he thinks he needs to beat local bully Lyle (Joseph McCaughtry), flanked by hilarious bully sidekick Dale (Andy Riddle) and there’s only one way to do this. Ping Pong.

I loved this film so much. It’s a hark back to days of holiday friends, being trusted to be away from the temporary family home for hours at a time, walkmans and teenage crushes. I think it really works so well because all of those cheesy lines that the audience roars with laughter at were really the expressions that we wanted to use (and often did use); and we were laughing with familiarity and love. But some of those lines are truly magnificent, and a mash-up of lines from Dale alone is certainly warranted (come on, Internet. Bring it on!).

If you ever felt like you were doing the worm and wondered what you really look like – check out this film. Chances are, you were just like Rad Miracle.

Ping Pong Summer is screening at 1:30pm on Sunday August 3 at Hoyts and at 6:30pm on Monday August 11 at the Forum. Book tickets at MIFF http://miff.com.au/program/search or call 9662 3722