My Big Fat Greek Wedding

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

My Big Fat Greek Wedding: the little film that could. Everyone by now knows the story of this five-million-dollar film that went on to gross well over 200 million dollars. That being the case, why aren't we seeing a bigger release for this DVD? Not that it's a bad disc, it really isn't. It just seems there's so much more that could have been done for such a significant release. The image, which HBO has wisely included both 1.85:1 anamorphic and full-frame transfers, is a fairly solid presentation. Colors, while generally muted, come across nicely, while the darker scenes are dense and don't show any signs of breakdown. Skin tones are very warm, a real plus for this film. The sound, a 5.1 Dolby Digital track, is certainly adequate for this small romantic comedy. In other words, it's not going to test your sound system in any way. Still, the auditory elements are nicely translated to home video, with clear dialogue and a very pleasing quality. What is lacking with this title are a significant number of supplemental features. Other than some decent biographies of the cast is a commentary track from stars Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, and director Joel Zwick. This track is often "matter of fact," but has enough humor and anecdotes to keep it moving along. Vardalos and Zwick contribute more than Corbett, but each has plenty to say about their experiences. People tend to love or hate this film. Those that hate it will steer clear of it, while those that loved it will now have the ability to watch it over and over and over. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Subtitle: Spanish, Greek, French, English
• Features:
  • Audio commentaries by stars Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, and director Joel Zwick
  • Both widescreen and full-frame versions on sigle-sided disc
  • Cast biographies

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Original Screenplay - 2002 (Nia Vardalos)

• Broadcast Film Critics Association

•     Nominated Best Ensemble Acting - 2003
•     Nominated Best Screenplay - 2003 (Nia Vardalos)
•     Nominated Best Acting Ensemble - 2002
•     Nominated Best Writer - 2002 (Nia Vardalos)

• Hollywood Foreign Press Association

•     Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Com - 2002 (Nia Vardalos)
•     Nominated Best Picture - Musical or Comedy - 2002

• Independent Spirit Awards

•     Won Best Debut Performance - 2002 (Nia Vardalos)

• Writers Guild of America

•     Nominated Best Original Screenplay - 2002 (Nia Vardalos)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Nia Vardalos - Toula
       John Corbett - Ian Miller
       Michael Constantine - Gus
       Lainie Kazan - Maria
       Andrea Martin - Aunt Voula

• Director:

  Joel Zwick

• Producer:

  Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson

• Play Author:

  Nia Vardalos

• Screenwriter:

  Nia Vardalos

• Cinematographer:

  Jeffrey Jur

• Composer (Music Score):

  Alexander Janko, Chris Wilson

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Deva Anderson

• Editor:

  Mia Goldman

• Production Designer:

  Gregory Keen

• Art Director:

  Kei Ng

• Co-producer:

  David Coatsworth

REVIEWS:

• {#My Big Fat Greek Wedding}, a modest, likeable comedy, would have been less effective if it had been put through the Hollywood system. {$Nia Vardalos}'s script has enough Hollywood convention in it that having a newcomer in the lead automatically brings to it a freshness that a romantic comedy superstar like {$Julia Roberts} or {$Sandra Bullock} would have had a difficult time mustering. There is no cynicism in the film, which may make it difficult for some viewers to take. {$Vardalos} and the rest of the performers seem genuinely amused by the clichéd scenarios and the familiar bits of comedic business they are given to play. They either find new ways to make the material work, or simply radiate goodwill toward each other and the audience to such an extent that the audience reciprocates. Maintaining a charming ease for its entire ninety-five minute running time, {$Vardalos} and her cast desire nothing but the commendable goal of entertaining their audience. This is an unabashedly warm and friendly film that was seemingly made for all the right reasons. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding, a modest, likeable comedy, would have been less effective if it had been put through the Hollywood system. Nia Vardalos's script has enough Hollywood convention in it that having a newcomer in the lead automatically brings to it a freshness that a romantic comedy superstar like Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock would have had a difficult time mustering. There is no cynicism in the film, which may make it difficult for some viewers to take. Vardalos and the rest of the performers seem genuinely amused by the clichéd scenarios and the familiar bits of comedic business they are given to play. They either find new ways to make the material work, or simply radiate goodwill toward each other and the audience to such an extent that the audience reciprocates. Maintaining a charming ease for its entire ninety-five minute running time, Vardalos and her cast desire nothing but the commendable goal of entertaining their audience. This is an unabashedly warm and friendly film that was seemingly made for all the right reasons. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

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