Muriel's Wedding

Muriel’s Wedding 1994

• Director: P J Hogan
• Also seen by this director: Mental, My Best Friend’s Wedding
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Bill Hunter, Jeanie Drynan, Gabby Millgate, Matt Day, Daniel Lapaine
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Toni Collette – Unlocked, Hereditary, Imperium, A Long Way Down, Mental, Fright Night, The Dead Girl, Night Listener, Little Miss Sunshine, In Her Shoes, The Hours, About a Boy, Hotel Splendide, Velvet Goldmine
• Rachel Griffiths – Six Feet Under, Ned Kelly, Very Annie Mary, Blow, Hilary & Jackie, Amy, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Jude
• Bill Hunter – Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Strictly Ballroom
• Matt Day – Shackleton
• Daniel Lapaine – The Merchant of Venice, Zero Dark Thirty, Last Chance Harvey
• Why? Collette. The film’s a favourite.
• Seen: Twice before. Now: 12 July 2020      

       Muriel (Collette) is an unemployed, plump (she put on 40 pounds for the role) downtrodden loser who is obsessed with ABBA and getting married. Her tyrannical father, a wannabe politician and a racist, constantly tells her and her siblings and his wife that they are useless. Her so-called friends tell her they don’t want her to hang with them anymore because she threatens their image.

       Then she runs into Rhonda (Griffiths), an old classmate who helps her find some self-esteem. It starts her on the road to a new life, but it’s not a simple life.

       For the record, I hate weddings, but I love this film. Collette justifiably gained international renown for this role. Griffiths and the whole cast are also excellent. It’s called a comedy but it’s really a very sad film. And lovely.

5* of 5