connielane: (I LoVe the 80s)
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"I Love the 80s: The Romantic Comedy." It's not particularly clever. It isn't really sexy. And it's not especially original. But it's sweet and funny, and I love it.


The Wedding Singer

I never knew that wedding singers were that big a thing, but I guess they are, in certain circles. This movie came out at a time when pop culture was really starting to embrace - or perhaps, more accurately, dry hump - the 1980s and everything that was associated with that time. Having been an 80s nostaglia freak from way back - before the 80s were even over, in fact - I found it all kind of annoying. Like something I had always thought was cool was being ruined by overexposure. So I was wary of this film when it came out, because it seemed like yet another thing where someone who thought this was cool and original was going to basically make a "greatest hits tape" of 80s music, fashion, and lingo, and try to slap a story in there somewhere (or not). I was very pleasantly surprised by this movie.

A lot of people don't "get" Adam Sandler and why other people seem to find him so funny and awesome. I confess that much of his allure is a mystery to me as well. I have no interest in the Billy Madisons or Big Daddys or Little Nickys or whathaveyou. But occasionally he plays an actual person rather than a caricature, and then he's really a joy to watch. The Wedding Singer works so well, not because of all the "rad" 80s music and clothes, but because at the heart of the story is a very sincere and endearing guy named Robbie Hart.

Drew Barrymore was still kind of coming down from her wild girl days. Not in her real life, because she had long been sober at this point, but she was still in that phase of her career where she was playing sexy bad girls. So this was a very refreshing change for her, and she really started to find a comedic niche. So, okay, that niche eventually got tiresome as well. But it was fairly new for her in this movie, and she's delightful to watch.

The 1980s setting might seem kind of random and contrived, but I think it's pretty smart. It didn't have to take place in the 1980s, but I think the recurring theme of money/security and the characters' preoccupation with that was very suited to "the greed decade." That may not have been a conscious decision by the writer, but it works, whether on purpose or not.


Great Moments in Dialogue:

Glenn's buddy: Robbie Hart? Oh, man, I heard what happened to you at your wedding, that was so cold! You must've felt like shit!
Robbie: No, it felt real good, thanks for bringing that up, man. Hey, my parents died when I was ten, would you like to talk about that?
Glenn's buddy: No, why would I wanna talk about that?
Robbie: I don't know.


"Awwww!" Moment: Without a doubt, the scene where Julia is trying on her wedding dress and practicing using her new name in the mirror. And Robbie seeing her and misinterpreting what's making her so happy is HEARTBREAKING.
There are 8 comments on this entry. (Reply.)
 
posted by [identity profile] hildigunnur.livejournal.com at 04:52pm on 27/10/2007
This film was a pleasant surprise for me as well. Like you, I don't care that much for Adam Sandler except as you put it, he plays a person instead of a caricature.
 
posted by [identity profile] danabird11.livejournal.com at 06:13pm on 27/10/2007
I've never seen this movie. Truth to tell, I find Drew Barrymore's accent/way of speech like fingernails on a chalkboard, and I can't focus on whatever film she's in because all I can hear is the way she drags out the 2nd syllable of some of her words, even going up on the end sometimes, like these words are questions. About the time she became popular as an adult, I noticed MANY actresses doing this, so I completely blame her for this incredibly annoying trend. ;-)

It's no wonder so much of the English speaking world finds an American accent unpleasant. :-(
 
posted by [identity profile] miss-celestine.livejournal.com at 07:36pm on 27/10/2007
You don't know how much I need you, when you're near me I don't feel blue, when we kiss I know you need me too, can't believe I found a love quite so pure and true.
BUT IT ALL WAS BUUULSHIT IT WAS A GOD DAMN JOKE AND WHEN I THINK OF OL' LINDA I HOPE YOU FUCKING CHOKE!!!


I think this remains my favourite part. I almost peed myself laughing.
 
posted by [identity profile] greyashowl.livejournal.com at 10:09am on 29/10/2007
oh that part is a classic.

'Well, good luck trying to find a DJ who can move and shake like THIS.' hahaha.
h311ybean: (Default)
posted by [personal profile] h311ybean at 12:36am on 28/10/2007
I think Robbie is my favorite of all of Adam Sandler's characters, because he acted so human, unlike the others that Sandler is known for :) I think you said basically the same thing in your post, so this should mean I agree with you :-p I also agree with your selected "Awwww!" Moment - it hurt to know that Julia was happy because she was introducing herself as "Julia Hart," and of course Robbie didn't hear that!

As for the '80s setting, I remember this premiered at the same time Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion (which was chock full of '80s references and scenes, too) came out. I think an entertainment show commented that '80s nostalgia had become a trend because many of the writers were facing their 10th high school reunions or something, and I guess they were looking back on the good old days and all.
 
posted by [identity profile] lunalovepotter.livejournal.com at 03:01am on 28/10/2007
I really enjoyed this movie. It's probably the only one with Adam Sandler that I can sit through. The character of Robbie Hart is so real, and so lovable. :)
 
posted by [identity profile] greyashowl.livejournal.com at 10:02am on 29/10/2007
I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! In fact, I just think about it and I tear up. I too love the scene in the mirror.
 
posted by [identity profile] write-out.livejournal.com at 12:18am on 30/10/2007
Another movie I never tire of. That bit of dialogue you quote is just a riot. This is an all-around sweet and romantic movie.

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