Destination Wedding (2018)

Directed by: Victor Levin | 87 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, DJ Dallenbach, Ted Dubost, D. Rosh Wright, Greg Lucey, Donna Lynn Jones, Curt Dubost, Michael Mogull, Scott Andrews, James Gallardo, Sean Sullivan

Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder have worked together before, including in ‘Dracula’ (1992) and ‘A Scanner Darkly’ (2006), but this is the first time the two Hollywood stars (whose last names don’t even need to be mentioned) in a romantic comedy. ‘Destination Wedding’ was written by Victor Levin, who also directed. Earlier he did that very well for the fine romantic comedy ‘5 to 7’ (2014). In that same corner you should also look for ‘Destination Wedding’.

Frank and Lindsay meet at the airport. The first few seconds after what could easily have been a meet-cute had this been a different film, it still seems like a friendly conversation, but soon the true nature of both characters comes to the fore. Lindsay accuses Frank of creeping forward, Frank claims to have stepped forward only to get away from her. In the plane – for eight people – the two are also sentenced to the back seat and they also have to spend the ride to the final destination together. Worst of all, both Frank and Lindsay’s destination is the same wedding: the groom is Frank’s half-brother as well as Lindsay’s ex, who broke her heart six years ago.

A wedding you don’t want to be at is just about hell on earth, experts with experience will agree with Levin. He knows exactly how to process the irritations of such a party in the scenario: the impossible – but only meaningful for the married couple – destination, a program for which you have to take several days off, the with ‘well-thought-out ‘ gift-filled basket in the hotel room… Frank and Lindsay compete in who wants to run away as fast as possible from here and in their misery they find each other.

The great thing about this film is that the film really only revolves around Frank and Lindsay. The other guests barely appear, let alone speak. They are to the viewer exactly what they are to the two unfortunate forties: wallpaper. Fortunately, we are therefore dealing with Keanu and Winona, because they are able to carry the film, and make it bearable. The biting dialogues between Frank and Lindsay are of the witty kind, but at times it crosses the line of what you might hear in everyday life and feels too made up. For lovers of sweet romance, ‘Destination Wedding’ is definitely a no go, but if you are a fan of these two actors and you need a different-than-different-romantic story, then you can safely turn on ‘Destination Wedding’ .