Muriel's Wedding

Right now you can watch Muriel's Wedding in Australia on Stan and HBO Max, and in the US on Netflix and Criterion Channel — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Toni Collette leads a cast with real comic timing. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Muriel's Wedding is worth clearing space for. Muriel's Wedding gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. Socially awkward Muriel Heslop wants nothing more than to get married. Unfortunately, due to her oppressive politician father, Muriel has never even been on a date. Ostracized by her more socially adept friends, Muriel runs into fellow outcast Rhonda Epinstalk, and the two move from their small Australian town to the big city of Sydney, where Muriel changes her name and begins the arduous task of redesigning her life to match her fantasies. Toni Collette and Bill Hunter lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1994. The timing in Muriel's Wedding is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Muriel's Wedding is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Toni Collette anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.