The Wedding Singer (1998)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Frank Coraci

Writer (WGA):

Tim Herlihy (written by)

Release Date:

13 February 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Music

Tagline:

He's gonna party like it's 1985.

Plot:

Robbie, the singer and Julia, the waitress are both engaged to be married but to the wrong people. Fortune intervenes to help them discover each other.

Plot Keywords:

Wedding | Waitress | Singer | Friend | Wedding Reception

Awards:

5 wins & 7 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Nov. 14	2:00 PM	ABCF
Sat. Nov. 14	10:30 PM	ABCF

Cast

Adam Sandler	...	Robbie
Drew Barrymore	...	Julia
Christine Taylor	...	Holly
Allen Covert	...	Sammy
Matthew Glave	...	Glenn
Ellen Albertini Dow	...	Rosie
Angela Featherstone	...	Linda
Alexis Arquette	...	George
Christina Pickles	...	Angie
Jodi Thelen	...	Kate
Frank Sivero	...	Andy
Patrick McTavish	...	Tyler
Gemini Barnett	...	Petey
Teddy Castellucci	...	Robbie Hart Band Member
Randy Razz	...	Robbie Hart Band Member

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sex-related material and language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Australia:PG (TV rating) | Brazil:Livre | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #35157) | New Zealand:M | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:PG | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12

Filming Locations:

43 Sierra Place, Sierra Madre, California, USA

Company:

Juno Pix

Trivia:

The character of George was based on Boy George, lead singer of Culture Club. He sings "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" later in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: The story is supposed to take place in summer of 1985, yet there are no leaves on the trees in the shots showing the exterior of Julia's house.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Robbie: All right, everybody out on the dance floor! No exceptions! Look at all the happy couples!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in My Date with Drew (2004)

Soundtrack:

Hold Me Now

Not the typical Sandler movie

The Wedding Singer and Punch Drunk Love standout from typical Sandler movies is two important ways. 1) The humor is subtler in these movies, and Sandler is much more subdued. 2) Critics actually like these two movies.

The Wedding Singer is a pretty average romantic story that wins because of funny performances and the ever elusive "chemistry" between Sandler and Barrymore. This was the first movie that taught me what romantic chemistry was. While you're watching it you not only want the characters Robbie and Julia to get together, but you want Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore to get together. The chemistry is that strong. A reason people, especially guys, don't like romance movies is because often the love between the leads seem contrived and forced. Thankfully, the Wedding Singer steers clear from that, and actually allows you to have an emotional stake in the characters.

Sadly, the movie is slightly forgettable, as it merely succeeds in its goals but fails to impress. However, it's great fun while it lasts and you'll always have a fond, if somewhat faded, memory of the movie.