Review by Geoff Jenke
Based on the long running off-Broadway play, talented writer/director Alessandro Genovesi’s hilarious, feel-good comedy hit MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING tells the story of a complicated trip to the altar, as a young man travels to his conservative Italian hometown to marry his fiancé. When baby-faced Antonio (Cristiano Caccamo) pops the question to his boyfriend Paolo (Salvatore Esposito) in their Berlin apartment just before Easter, things take an awkward turn… it becomes apparent that Antonio hasn’t come out to his parents.
While they aren’t sure about their families’ reactions, the pair decides to head home to Italy to break the news and plan their big day. Accompanied by a couple of well-meaning but somewhat eccentric friends, Antonio and Paolo arrive at the stunning village of Civita di Bagnoregio, where Antonio was raised. His mother (Monica Guerritore) is immediately supportive, but only if the wedding meets her expectations: her favourite celebrity wedding planner must oversee all the arrangements; Paolo’s estranged mother must be in attendance; and the marriage has to be officiated by the town mayor (Diego Abatantuono), who happens to be Antonio’s staid and somewhat less-than-enthusiastic father.
Some of the funniest highlights of the movie is the accepting small town priest, who is eccentric to say the least. He is also understanding and doesn’t particularly care what the Pope thinks of his decisions to marry the two men.
Along the way you have people opposed to the marriage, a former lover and a groom who has doubts. Your standard comedy movie about anyone getting married. I am not sure if the director was trying to make a social statement with this movie, but if he was, he is 2 years too late in Australia with it. The movie is a light weight romantic comedy with many laugh out loud moments. It is probably trying to tackle afore mentioned social issues, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
With the onset of winter here in Australia, you could do far worse than spend 90 minutes in the warmth of a cinema watching this movie.
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