The Wedding Singer (1998)

Directed by: Frank Coraci | 95 minutes | comedy, romance, music | Actors: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Sally Pierce, Christine Taylor, Allen Covert, Matthew Glave, Ellen, Albertini Dow, Angela Featherstone, Alexis Arquette, Christina Pickles, Jodi Thelen, Frank Sivero, Patrick McTavish, Gemini Barnett, Teddy Castellucci, Randy Razz, Steve Buscemi, Jon Lovitz, John Vana, Billy Idol, Kevin Nealin, Marnie Schneider, Carmen Filpi, Robert Smigel, Todd Hurst, Peter Dante, Phyllis Alia, Paul Thiele, Jack Nisbet, Jenna Byrne, Jason Cottle, Mark Lonow, Billy Elmer, Jackie R. Challet, Kimmy Karz, Al Hopson, Michael Shuman, Angela Paton, Mike Thompson, Michael Jay, John Sawaski, Christopher Alan, Kimberly Schwartz, Sanetta Y. Gipson, Tim Herlihy, Mattew Kimble, Sid Newmna, Mark Beltzman, Andrew Shaifer, Shanna Maokler, Maree Chetaham, Al Burke, Robert Hackle, Gabe Veltri, Joshua Oppenheimer

Welcome to the world of perms and backcombed hair, shiny Michael Jackson jackets and slim black ties, breakdancing disco goers, bright pink painted interiors, people who dress like Sonny Crocket, Madonna or Boy George, the first CD player, the cube and much more. more 80’s gadgets. ‘The Wedding Singer’ is a romantic comedy set in the 1980s. Why? No idea, but the makers visibly had fun pulling out all the stereotypes of that time. Those who pay close attention will recognize the Dolorean from ‘Back to the Future’ in the car where Glenn gets out in front of the disco. Music from the eighties also plays an important role. Hits from Sugar Hill Gang, Billy Idol, David Bowie, Falco, Dead or Alive, Madonna and Culture Club are featured. And Robbie’s band only plays 80’s hits.

In addition, Robbie often expresses his feelings in the songs he sings and which are played in their entirety. A principle that we know from the musical genre, but because Robbie is the only one who does this, ‘The Wedding Singer’ does not become a musical. Nice detail: Adam Sandler sings everything himself. He also wrote three songs for the film, which he also performs himself. And not even without merit! In composing he was assisted by Tim Herlihy, who also wrote the screenplay. Sandler has worked with Herlihey seven times, in films such as ‘Mr. Deeds’, ‘The Waterboy’ and ‘Happy Gilmore’. His role as a kind, caring boy, forced to stand up for himself when faced with a demanding, ambitious environment, has become his trademark, thanks in part to Herlily. He really impressively plays this role in ‘Punch Drunk Love’ (2002) by PT Anderson.

For many of his other films, the weakness is that you never really doubt the happy ending of the story and ‘The Wedding Singer’ is no exception. This is because the characters usually remain somewhat on the surface. They do have pain and sorrow and are absolutely human and recognizable, but you get to know little about their deeper layers. Still, the roles are well cast and well performed. Starring Steve Buscemi, who steals the show in a bit part as a groom’s drunk brother. Hilarious and painful at the same time. Drew Barrymore also does well as Julia. She is the sweet, somewhat naive girl who, along with Adam Sandler, gets behind the film’s obvious message: true love is not on the outside, but in your heart.

‘The Wedding Singer’ is an entertaining film, but it doesn’t have much to offer. The story flows nicely, although sometimes things go a little too easy and most of the characters get stuck on the outside. The love story is predictable and the film is bursting with clichés. Yet it is precisely the clichés that make this film enjoyable. Because although not all jokes are successful, the whole is recognizable and entertaining.