May 5 - My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Hello. Here is today's movie.  

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING

Toula Portokalos, a 30 year old Greek-American woman, is a failure, as far as her family is concerned, since she is not married. Her father obsessively promotes Greek culture and believes Windex is a cure all. She works day in and day out in her families Greek restaurant, with no end in sight. Then one day, Ian Miller, a WASP schoolteacher eats in the restaurant and is noticed by Toula. This inspires her, with her mother’s help to persuade her father to let her take a computer course at a local college and she spruces up her appearance. Toula persuades her aunt to hire her to work in her travel agency. Ian notices her in the travel agency and asks her out on a date. They begin a relationship, which Toula keeps secret from her family, since Ian is definitely not Greek. Her family  eventually finds out of course, and a huge row occurs. Her father tries to set her up with old and strange Greek men, but Toula is in love with Ian and they take their relationship to the next level. He introduces Toula to his parents and proposes marriage. Toula wants to elope, because she’s afraid of the upcoming cultural clash. Ian volunteers to convert to the Greek Orthodox Church, so he and Toula can be married in the church. Ian is introduced to the rest of Toula’s family on Orthodox Easter, May 5, 2002, [50:31 to 55:29] where his vegetarianism causes some consternation. Toula’s male relatives take to Ian, but have fun at his expense, by prompting him to say inappropriate things in Greek.  A dinner where Ian’s parents meet all of Toula’s family results in hilarious culture clash.             Toula is upset when her family tries to take over all the planning for her wedding. Ian and Toula are married amid much happy chaos. At the reception Toula’s father surprises them by giving the couple a house as a wedding present. However, the house turns out to be next door as we see in the epilogue, when Ian and Toula’s daughter goes off to Greek school to study Greek culture.

 This is a very funny movie. The culture clash here is played for all its comedic value, but shouldn’t offend anybody.  It’s also a story of personal growth and breaking out of  a rut. 

Orthodox Easter was on this date in 2002 as per The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2000 ed. by Robert Famighetti (Primeda Reference, Inc., New York, 2000) at page 695

Director = Joel Zwick

Producer = Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Starring =

Nia Vardalos as "Toula" Portokalos

John Corbett as Ian Miller

Lainie Kazan as Maria Portokalos

Michael Constantine as Kostas "Gus" Portokalos

Andrea Martin as Aunt Voula

Louis Mandylor as Nick Portokalos

Gia Carides as Cousin Nikki

Joey Fatone as Cousin Angelo

Ian Gomez as Mike

Bruce Gray as Rodney Miller

Fiona Reid as Harriet Miller

Jayne Eastwood as Mrs. White

Screenplay = Nia Vardalos

Awards = The film was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar.

Released = April 19, 2002

Runtime = 1 hour 35 minutes

Watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding