Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Over the course of five social occasions, a committed bachelor must consider the notion that he may have discovered love.

Director:

Mike Newell

Writer:

Richard Curtis

Stars:

Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, James Fleet

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 24 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Grant	...	Charles - Wedding One
James Fleet	...	Tom - Wedding One
Simon Callow	...	Gareth - Wedding One
John Hannah	...	Matthew - Wedding One
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Fiona - Wedding One
David Bower	...	David - Wedding One
Charlotte Coleman	...	Scarlett - Wedding One
Andie MacDowell	...	Carrie - Wedding One (as Andie Macdowell)
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

Storyline

In Britain, slightly bumbling and always tardy Charles (Hugh Grant) and his closest group of friends seem always to be attending weddings, but are never the bride nor groom, and as such, each, with the exception of gay couple Gareth (Simon Callow) and Matthew (John Hannah), is looking for love. At the wedding of their friends, Angus (Timothy Walker) and Laura (Sara Crowe), where Charles is acting as best man, Charles meets an American woman named Carrie (Andie MacDowell). For him, it's love at first sight. She too is attracted to him. Although they spend a memorable evening together, that's all it ends up being. Over three more successive weddings - some of the brides and grooms who are very near and dear to Charles' heart - and one unfortunate funeral, Charles runs into Carrie, but something always seems to prevent the two of them from getting together. He also runs into a plethora of old girlfriends, one of whom he may believe is really the one he was meant to end up with, ...

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Plot Keywords:

wedding | funeral | gay | cafe | hotel | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, and for some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most of Jeremy Kemp's role was deleted.

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Goofs

The image of Prince Charles is reversed. His medals are shown on his right side, however medals are always worn on the left.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Charles: [wakes up and looks at his bedside clock] Oh... *fuck*! Fuck!

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Crazy Credits

Kristin Scott Thomas, who played the hapless Fiona, never noticed by Hugh Grant, does better in the end credits where she is shown in faked photos marrying Prince Charles.

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Alternate Versions

The filmmakers were under contract to produce a version suitable for American TV. So instead of overdubbing, EVERY scene with harsh language - no matter how complex - was re-shot and less offensive words substituted. Most noticeable are the following (among others): 1) the beginning, where "bugger" has replaced "fuck" (and does so for the duration of the film); 2) George, the reader at the first wedding, is talking to Charles about having gone to school with the groom's brother, "Bufty" (which is slang for homosexual). His theatrical "Buggered me senseless" line has been toned down to "Beat me till my bottom turned blue"; and 3) the scene during Carrie's wedding, where "fuck-a-doodle-doo" has been replaced with Charles sighing and saying, "Well, that's that, then". There is much more alternate footage used.

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Connections

Referenced in 7th Heaven: Two Weddings, an Engagement and a Funeral (2004)

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Soundtracks

Chapel of Love
(1964)
Written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich
Performed by Elton John
Produced by Steve Lindsey
Published by Mother Bertha Music, Inc.
By Arrangement with ABKCO Music, Inc.
And Carlin Music Corporation by arrangement with Trio Music, Inc.
© 1993 William A. Bong Ltd.
Elton John appears courtesy of Photogram Ltd. and MCA Records, Inc.
Recorded at Ocean Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles and Metropolis, London

User Reviews

A Nice Little Film That Charmed Its Way to a Best Picture Nod in 1994

"Four Weddings and a Funeral" is a nice little film from 1994. It did fair at the box office and did fair with critics. The Academy was charmed enough to award the film with a Best Picture nomination. The film deals with a British bachelor (Hugh Grant) who continues to run into a beautiful young American (Andie McDowell) at various weddings in England. As the film progresses their lust for each other turns into love and the finale is a real triumph. This film is a comedy for the most part, but its elements of drama put it above most films that go primarily for laughs. The screenplay is smart and the supporting cast is excellent. Kristin Scott Thomas and Rowan Atkinson (albeit in a very small role) are memorable. 4 out of 5 stars.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English British Sign Language

Release Date:

15 April 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Filming Locations:

Cafe Rouge, Covent Garden, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$4,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$138,486, 13 March 1994

Gross USA:

$52,700,832

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$245,700,877

Company Credits

Production Co:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Channel Four Films, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1