Review of The Wedding Singer (1998) by David A — 09 May 2010

(from The Watermark, 02/19/98).

I have never thought that Sandler's one-note brand of humor was funny. But in this featherweight romantic comedy, he seems to be trying to be more endearing, but comes off as sappy. He plays a wedding singer whose fiancé leaves him at the altar. Embittered and distraught, he befriends a young waitress (Barrymore) who is herself engaged to a man she doesn't love. The two friends fall for each other, but will they make their love known to each other in time? Guess.

The one thing the film does have, and it certainly needs something to breathe life into it, is its time setting of 1985. And though there is no real reason to set the film 13 years ago, at least you can see the filmmakers having some fun duplicating the silly fashions and inserting some funny lines. (For example, "I can see you two were meant for each other. Like Donald and Ivana, Woody and Mia, and Burt and Loni.") The other situational jokes are imposed and forced, but I must admit I found the shameless 80's nostalgia quite fun. But what about the people who aren't between 25 and 40? They may leave this film singing the blues. QUEER QUOTIENT: Great soundtrack! And one of Sandler's band-mates is a gayer-than-gay Boy George wannabe. His presence, though, seems to be mostly a sight gag. Purpose, please?