YouHeart I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Ariella Broughton It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Tobias Burrows It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Myriam Nys I'm no longer young. However, I still remember how Belgian working-class people used to marry when I was a child, some four to five decades ago. The bridegroom would invest in a good suit (and then wear it to christenings, funerals,... etc. until it grew shiny with age) ; the bride would invest in a nice dress (idem) ; the couple would go first to city hall and then to church ; and afterwards there would be a fine meal for relatives, neighbours and close friends. Numerous photographs would be taken, with everyone looking solemn-but-happy, and eventually the couple would leave on honeymoon, which usually translated as two weeks on the Belgian sea-side or in the Belgian Ardennes.People lucky enough to fall into a higher income category could afford some luxuries. The honeymoon, for instance, became two or three weeks in France (saucy), Spain (exotic) or Italy (romantic). Often the bride wore a gown which screamed "wedding" to such an extent that it could be worn but once in the same lifetime ; later on, most of these gowns were lovingly preserved as an heirloom for a future daughter. Other brides would cut up their gowns in order to use the veils and laces for a baby's cot or, alternatively, for a christening dress.Most of this was sensible and, if you think upon it, pretty sweet. Decades have passed and by now, the year 2018, all kinds of weird and costly extravagances have attached themselves to the matrimonial ship, like expensive barnacles. We now find ourselves in an era in which, say, the bride's parents may very well have to pay for a full-blown children's party complete with clowns, magicians and Chinese "lion" dancers, because you wouldn't like the kids to get bored, now would you ? An acquaintance of mine discovered that her daughter, the bride, was being escorted by flower-toting children dressed as Puss-in-boots, Cinderella and Batgirl. Another acquaintance caused a disaster by accidentally bumping into one of the five (5) wedding cakes provided for her niece's wedding. It provoked scenes of anguish and dismay worthy of "Le radeau de la Méduse". If you live in a country stricken with the same kind of madness - and I greatly fear that this madness has infected all of the developed world - you could do worse than have a look at "The wedding video". It contains a lot of satirical barbs aimed at the wedding industry (or is it wedding ideology ?) and its adherents. In a more general sense the movie also mocks those who continually aspire to more - more money, more status, more titles. Which normal person would like to go and live in a stately home hung with absurd hunting trophies ? (Watch out for the joke with one of the trophies.)With regard to these aspects "The wedding video" certainly works : there are good jokes and gags to enjoy. It becomes less satisfying where and when it turns into a romcom. The various emotions felt by the three protagonists do not ring all that true, individually or collectively, and the conclusion is so facile that it insults the intelligence of the viewer. Try this stuff in real life, as opposed to a movie, and you will cause a genuine tragedy, possibly even the kind of tragedy which will end up before a criminal court.Still, the movie towers like a Colossus over the bridal romcom-nonsense churned out routinely by the USA, most of which, in my humble opinion, belongs somewhere in the one-to-three-star territory.

Amy Adler Raif (Rupert Hound) has returned from being a perpetual vagabond to be the best man at his brother's wedding. Tim (Robert Webb), the groom, is glad his brother has arrived but is not too sure about the gift Raif proposes. It's his bro's dream, you see, to videotape the days up to the wedding fro this sibling as a one-of-a-kind momento. Alas, there is a sticky wicket almost immediately, as Tim tells Raif his intended is Saskia (Lucy Punch). Raif is astonished, as Saskia went to his school and was something of a wild child. But, her mother Alex (Harriet Walter) has married extremely well and has "re-invented" both of their lives. Now, Saskia presents a persona of rationality, staidness, and wealth. As Tim has also risen to become a rich businessman, the two now seem perfect. But, are they? As Raif films the couple from the wedding gala to the wedding dance instruction to visits with the uptight wedding planner, is Saskia truly in love with Tim? Or, is her heart still yearning for someone else? This very nice British romcom has a great cast. Punch, who was a scream in Woody Allen's You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, is quite fine as the reformed free spirit while Webb and Hound are great as the opposite leaning sibs. Walter does a quietly harried turn as the newly rich woman trying to plan a high society wedding and the rest of the cast is great, too. There are a bevy of comic scenes, as the one in which a society bride, whose wedding was to be the season event, ends up riding her party-ship into the ice sculpture. As noted, its Icebergs 2, Titanic 0. Also mirthful is the episode with the snooty Russian choreographer who has been hired to teach the couple a wedding dance or two. Costumes, sets, the lively script, and the zesty direction make for a vastly fun film. Again, Hollywood why have you forgotten women or fans of romantic comedy? Must we now go to Britain to view something we like? It appears so. As I found this in the DVD store, there is a happy ending but I long for romcoms to actually make it back to the theaters across the land.

Trevor Mcinsley This film serves as an excellent reminder that some people simply do not understand comedy. What dull lives they must lead.When you are criticising the cinematography and acting of a film which is deliberately designed to seem like something shot on a camcorder by an amateur I feel you have just totally missed the point. What were you expecting? Overacting nonsense and wildly exaggerated characters as the stars all via for Oscar nominations? Dramatic sweeping shots of the American plains which last ten minutes and establish nothing more than a willingness to fall asleep? The fact that the three hour yawn fest that was 'There Will Be Blood' can be critically acclaimed whilst a genuinely funny film with a lot of charm and character can be slated is everything that is wrong with film these days. Everything that is wrong with the world frankly.This film is simply fun. It is enjoyable to watch, entertaining and there are some good laughs to be had. The end is even oddly poignant.Why do people always have to delve headfirst into stuff looking for contrived meaning and commentary on modern society? Wait... I should probably read my own review back right?

kath_henderson There seems to be a throng of Wedding based films recently. After Bridesmaids but it could've been Four Weddings and a Funeral that really started the trend. Whatever the root it seems both Hollywood and Britain are enamoured by the sheer social minefield that it causes. The worst of human beings are exposed in this high stress scenario, the glamour and need to show the guests a fabulous time tend to overwhelm the fact that this is, at the end, an expression of love between two people. Which should be the easiest thing in the world but is just... not...Even though every single idea that could surround the central theme of the wedding has been explored, especially the Hen/Stag Parties, this film tries find a unique idea the Best Man making a Wedding Video as a gift to his brother, the Groom. In doing so he records the build up to one of the most stressful experiences the poor Bride has ever endured. The Brides Mother taking a lot of creative control in the matter causing much vitriol between the Bride and Groom.It's a very predictable affair. But there's a lot enjoyable aspects. I personally found the visibility of the camera refreshing, knowing a character was in control of gave the actors the chance to really react to the absurdity of the situation and also feel the embarrassment of it being captured. It added a layer to the proceedings which was fun to watch, plus Rufus Howard's character trying to be creative and shoot as much as possible, plus the microphone man, Matt Berry, causing arguments and writing songs. The decadence of the Mother of the Bride was always a good mine for comedy too. But it's all subjective really and how much experience you have with weddings. Of course everyone will find humour in different jokes.I thought the acting was particularly good. Rufus Hound, who I've never really considered as a Leading Man, or even an actor, having only seen him on panel shows, was really quite good. The man can definitely act and he really sold the emotional beats along with the comedy. Lucy Punch is always fantastic and completely underrated for some reason. Harriet Walters was fabulous as the Mother and Robert Webb was perfectly lovely as the nervous Groom.There's nothing remotely surprising but there's a lot to be enjoyed. It's well acted, got a few funny bits and still manages to strive for a unique thread even though we know the ending by a mile off. It's the journey though, hanging around with these perfectly lovely characters and watching a wedding you're damn well pleased you won't be involved with.