The Wedding Singer
PLOT:
Set in 1985, Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) is a wedding singer from the town of Ridgefield, New Jersey. Engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Linda (Angela Featherstone), he meets and befriends a waitress, Julia Sullivan (Drew Barrymore), at the reception hall where he regularly performs. Julia is also engaged, to businessman Glenn Gulia (Matthew Glave).
On his wedding day, Robbie is devastated when Linda leaves him standing at the altar, citing his failure to move on with his singing career. Robbie tries to move forward with his life, but despair hinders his performances. Julia tries to cheer him up, and later asks him to help her plan her own wedding. Initially reluctant, Robbie eventually agrees, and their friendship blossoms. During a double date between Julia and Glenn, and Robbie and Julia’s cousin, Holly (Christine Taylor), Robbie learns that Glenn is unfaithful to Julia.
Julia and Robbie are increasingly confused by their deepening feelings for each other, and Robbie labours under the misapprehension that a “real” job will impress Julia. She becomes angry with him for assuming that she is marrying Glenn for his money. After confiding in his best friend, Sammy (Allen Covert), Robbie finally decides to confess his true feelings and heads to Julia’s house. When he arrives, he sees her through her bedroom window. Julia is wearing her wedding dress and happily imagining herself as Robbie’s wife, but Robbie mistakenly believes that she is looking forward to marrying Glenn.
Heartbroken, Robbie leaves to get drunk and finds Glenn in the midst of his bachelor party. After a heated exchange, Glenn sucker punches Robbie. An intoxicated Robbie goes home and finds Linda waiting for him, and wanting to reconcile. Robbie passes out, but the following morning, Linda answers the door and introduces herself as Robbie’s fiancée to a crestfallen Julia. Julia runs to Glenn, wanting to be married immediately, and Glenn happily offers to take her to Las Vegas.
Robbie awakens and promptly breaks it off with Linda for good. Inspired by the 50th wedding anniversary of his friend Rosie, to whom he has been giving singing lessons, Robbie decides to pursue Julia. Just then, Holly arrives, telling him of Julia’s plans. Robbie, Sammy, and Holly rush to the airport, where Robbie books a flight to Las Vegas; his ticket is first class because the coach seats are sold out. After telling his story to a sympathetic audience in first class which includes Billy Idol (playing himself), Robbie learns that Glenn and Julia are on the same flight. Over the loudspeaker, and with the help of Billy Idol and the flight crew, Robbie sings a song he has written called “Grow Old With You,” which he has dedicated to Julia. The two admit their love for each other and as they’re about to kiss, Billy Idol interrupts. Impressed with Robbie’s song, Billy plans to tell the record companies about him, allowing Robbie to finally fulfill his dream of being a songwriter.
The movie closes with Julia and Robbie’s wedding.
REVIEW:
Ah, the 80s! Big hair, funky clothes, music that wasn’t depressing. A good decade. In ’85, I was only 7, but I still have memories of those days. Adam Sandler, apparently has the same feeling, which is why The Wedding Singer is set in 1985.
Sandler plays Robbie Hart, a nice guy wedding singer who is left at the altar by his fiance and falls in love with a waitress (Drew Barrymore) at a random wedding where he happens to be singing. I think this up there in the top 5..scratch that, top 2 funniest performances by Sandler.
Drew Barrymore plays Julia perfectly. With a mixture of the sweet, girl next door good looks and bubbly personality that has endeared her to audiences worldwide since the days of E.T.
The rest of the cast is magnificent, especially Ellen Dow, who plays Rosie, the elderly lady who pays Robbie in meatballs for singing lessons.
I would love to say that the highlight of this film is the acting, or the story, or something along those lines, but in fact, it is the music. First, we have the music that plays in various montages and such. Then there are the songs that Sandler (as well as Jon Lovitz and Steve Buscemi) sing at the weddings. Finally, there is the original songs that Sandler sings. All these make for quite the interesting backdrop to a very entertaining film.
Speaking of entertaining…remember when Adam Sandler used to make these films? The kind that weren’t all preahy and borderline dramatic? He used to have fun with his movies. Its part of why he’s as bug a star as he is. As I said before, this is one of his best pictures.
Those of us that have ever been to weddings and/or receptions know that there is usually this guy (or girl) there that sings bad covers of popular songs. This is the basis for the this film. Sandler takes the idea and turns it into comedy gold. If you’re a fan of a good comedy and some nice 80s tracks, then this is the picture for you.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
