The Big Wedding

The Big Wedding is currently streaming in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Stan, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Robert De Niro is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

The Big Wedding is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The Big Wedding gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. To the amusement of their adult children and friends, long-divorced couple Don and Ellie Griffin are forced to play the happy couple for the sake of their adopted son's wedding after his ultra conservative Catholic biological mother unexpectedly decides to fly halfway across the world to attend. With all of the wedding guests looking on, the Griffins are hilariously forced to confront their past, present and future - and hopefully avoid killing each other in the process. Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2013. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The Big Wedding holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, The Big Wedding respects your intelligence. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Robert De Niro sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.