My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Director:

Joel Zwick

Writer (WGA):

Nia Vardalos (written by)

Release Date:

2 August 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Love is here to stay... so is her family.

Plot:

A young Greek woman falls in love with a non-Greek and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity.

Plot Keywords:

Restaurant | Dancing | Travel Agency | Teacher | Wedding

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 16 wins & 23 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 31	8:00 PM	TBS
Sun. Aug. 1	6:00 PM	TBS

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Nia Vardalos	...	Toula Portokalos
Michael Constantine	...	Gus Portokalos
Christina Eleusiniotis	...	Toula Portokalos - Age 6
Kaylee Vieira	...	Schoolgirl
John Kalangis	...	Greek Teacher
Lainie Kazan	...	Maria Portokalos
Marita Zouravlioff	...	Toula Portokalos - Age 12
Sarah Osman	...	Athena Portokalos - Age 15
Petra Wildgoose	...	Car Pool Friend
Melissa Todd	...	Car Pool Friend
Bess Meisler	...	Yiayia
Andrea Martin	...	Aunt Voula
Louis Mandylor	...	Nick Portokalos
Gerry Mendicino	...	Uncle Taki
Stavroula Logothettis	...	Athena

Also Known As:

"My Big Fat Wedding" - Japan (English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sensuality and language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English | Greek

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | New Zealand:G | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Canada:G (British Columbia/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Italy:T | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate #38179) | Ireland:PG

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Gold Circle Films

Trivia:

In the movie poster, the two E's in the word "Greek" are made to look like the Greek letter Sigma, which is S, not E. To a Greek, it reads "My Big Fat Grssk Wedding".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Toula tries on her grandmother's head piece in her bedroom, the ribbons are stuck to her hair and therefore stick up. When she sits up to look in the mirror, the ribbons are fine.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Gus Portokalos:[to Toula] You better get married soon. You're starting to look... old!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius: MaternoTron Knows Best/Send in the Clones (#2.11)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Tis Nifis Ta Vimata

I need Windex in my Moussaka!!!!

This was a very pleasant surprise. Frankly, I was avoiding it because I thought it was going to be too tacky for my taste. It turned out that I needed some of the Windex, the father of the bride uses for everything, to clear my eyes and enjoy the film.

Nia Vardalos has written from the heart this story of a crazy Greek family with all the stereotypes in it for us to savor and enjoy what has come out under the firm direction of Joel Zwick.

Not only is Ms. Vardalos talented as an actress, but she can write quite a story, star in her own tale, and bring together this cast of loonies and make us believe we are inside these folks' home.

Michael Constantine and Lanie Kazan are the parents of the bride and they preside this crazy household in Chicago. Nia Vardalos is the "ugly duckling" we see at the beginning of the film and she wins John Corbett's heart and disarms him completely. He got her family in the bargain and he's stuck in it for better of for worse. Andrea Martin is very effective as the pushy aunt.

All in all, it should be seen for the fun of it. This is a funny film, very well paced and acted.

Please pass the Windex!!