Monday, May 5, 2014

May 5 - My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Today’s movie is a romantic comedy with a scene that happens on May 5. I hope you will enjoy this film and watch it tonight.

MY BIG FAT GRΣΣK 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 older (and stranger) 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

Awards - The film was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar at the 75th Academy Awards.

Producer - Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Director - Joel Zwick 

Screenplay - Nia Vardalos   

Runtime - 1 hour 35 minutes                   

Released - April 19, 2002

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
Gia Carides as Cousin Nikki
Louis Mandylor as Nick Portokalos
Fiona Reid as Harriet Miller
Bruce Gray as Rodney Miller

Copyright by Ivan Walters 2014.





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