Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Director:

Mike Newell

Writer:

Richard Curtis (written by)

Release Date:

9 March 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

He's quite engaging. She's otherwise engaged.

Plot:

Comedy-drama about a group of British friends... the title says the rest.

Plot Keywords:

Apology | Poem | American In The Uk | Gay Relationship | Death

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 23 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Hugh Grant	...	Charles
James Fleet	...	Tom
Simon Callow	...	Gareth
John Hannah	...	Matthew
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Fiona
David Bower	...	David
Charlotte Coleman	...	Scarlett
Andie MacDowell	...	Carrie
Timothy Walker	...	Angus the Groom - Wedding One
Sara Crowe	...	Laura the Bride - Wedding One
Ronald Herdman	...	Vicar - Wedding One
Elspet Gray	...	Laura's Mother - Wedding One
Philip Voss	...	Laura's Father - Wedding One
Rupert Vansittart	...	George the Boor at The Boatman - Wedding One
Nicola Walker	...	Frightful Folk Duo - Wedding One

MPAA:

Rated R for language, and for some sexuality.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | British Sign Language

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

New Zealand:PG | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Singapore:PG (original rating) (cut) | Iceland:L | Netherlands:MG6 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Brazil:14 | South Korea:15 | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-10 | Germany:6 | Norway:10 | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | France:U | Portugal:M/12 (original rating) | Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Albury Park, Guildford, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

Channel Four Films

Trivia:

Hugh Grant had to learn British Sign Language for his scenes with his deaf brother, played by David Bower, who is deaf in real life.

Goofs:

Continuity: The alarm clock rings at 9:15 but its face shows it is set to 9:45.

Quotes:

Serena: Excuse me?
[points out Charles's brother, who is talking to Charles in sign language]
Serena: Who's the boy over there? In the grey?
Matthew: Name's David.
Serena: [watching David admiringly] He's something of a dish, isn't he.
Matthew: I've always thought so.
Serena: Why are they... why are they...?
[mimicking the sign language]
Matthew: Oh, the dish can't hear.
Serena: Gosh...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Trial & Retribution V (2002) (TV)

Soundtrack:

SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES

A note to the anti-Andie brigade

I'm blind to the alleged charm of Andie MacDowell myself. That's why I think that casting her in this film was a stroke of genius, for so far as my senses tell me she perfectly fits the character she plays: a dull beauty who casts a spell over one out of every twenty men she meets, leaving the remaining nineteen cold and completely baffled. Charlie (Hugh Grant) is surrounded by MUCH more desirable female friends - even Duckface has something going for her - but instead of so much as noticing them he falls head over heels for an unattainable woman who is, on top of everything else, boring. Would have been as good as it is if Charlie's passion had made SENSE? Of course not.

Anyway, everyone I know with a low opinion of this film begins the case for the prosecution with an attack on Andie MacDowell. Is there anything else to dislike? I can't see it myself. This is one of the world's few perfect comedies, devoid of longeurs - perhaps the funeral didn't have quite the desired effect - with true comedy and a nice selection of characters. One has no difficulty keeping the dozen or so members of the main set mentally separate. How many romantic comedies can you say THAT about?