Four Weddings and a Funeral
by Mike Newell
List Price:
Our Price: $5.45
You Save: $24.50 (82%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.50 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Hugh Grant, James Fleet, John Hannah, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon CallowDirector: Mike Newell
DVD: 2 Sides, Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Letterbox, 1.85:1
Running Time: 117 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1997-06-25
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Polygram Video
DVD Reviews of Four Weddings and a Funeral
DVD Review: "In the words of David Cassidy, in fact, while he was still with the Partridge Family - I think I love you."
Summary: 4 Stars
FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, made on a pauper's budget, is one of those little British films of which no one was expecting much. Surprisingly, though, it became the little engine that could and garnered much acclaim from fans and critics and cashflow in the theaters. It even shot up to the number one slot in the American box office. This was Hugh Grant's breakthrough film, the one which catapulted him to A-list prominence as a top flight comedic leading man. It made him a star.
Thru the course of four weddings (and one devastating funeral), the movie chronicles the on-again, off-again romance of Charles, chronically tardy at weddings and commitment-phobic (his pals call him "a serial monogamist"), and Carrie, the lovely independent American girl. I got so into this movie that it wasn't until at the end that I realized I didn't even know what these characters - and those in Charles's inner circle - did for a living, only that they seemed to be fairly well-off blokes and girls and a tight-knit, fun-loving bunch of pals. But most of the story does take place within the confines of the weddings (and that one funeral), because those are the only instances in which Charles and Carrie ever interact. But for one exception, that being a sequence in which Charles accidentally bumps into an engaged Carrie and she invites him to accompany her as she tries on different wedding gowns.
The screenplay is ridiculously good. And Mike Newell directs it, and I've always liked his stuff (ENCHANTED APRIL, INTO THE WEST, PUSHING TIN, and HARRY POTTER & THE GOBLET OF FIRE). The romance is nice enough, with Charles almost bemusedly wooing the ravishing Andie MacDowell. Back in 1994, when this movie was released, Andie MacDowell was the biggest name on this roster. At that time in her career, she was doing big things, what with GREEN CARD and GROUNDHOG DAY having done well, and this film only served to garner her even more notice. But if I were to nitpick, it'll be to say that we never do get to know her character as well as we come to know Charles. Even by the end of the film, Carrie comes off as enigmatic. But the love story is only one slice of a very savory pie. There's big heart in this terrifically fleshed-out supporting cast, these actors pitch perfect in their parts and most capable of winning over the audience. However, some are more pitch perfect than others, and so I point out Simon Callow as the gregarious Gareth, John Hannah who delivers a magnificent reading of W.H. Auden's "Funeral Blues," and Kristin Scott Thomas who underplays it as the acerbic and sad Fiona. Meanwhile, Rowan Atkinson is simply hilarious as the flustered new priest who gets a chance at conducting his first ever marriage ceremony (in which he breaks out "the Holy Spigot!!" Hah!). But all the actors involved here are wonderful, and that I'd actually feel a measure of sorrow when one of their characters abruptly passes away is a testament to this little film's ability to affect the audience. Charles and his crew, they seem like a great bunch of folks, even if they teeter towards posh.
But Hugh Grant owns this film. Hugh Grant wasn't really on Hollywood's radar before this picture, languishing as he was in forgettable made-for-TV films and overseas cinematic no-hopers. FOUR WEDDINGS is the film which, for the first time, showcased Hugh's comedic flair and impeccable timing. If you think he stammers and flutters those eyelids now, brother, he was a lot worse back in the day. But Hugh Grant oozes such charm and demonstrates such a quick and self-deprecating wit that the awkward habits somehow become disarming. For two samples of the man's dexterity with delivering convoluted lines, check out Charles's wedding toast and also his declaration of love for Carrie, with mad references to David Cassidy thrown in.
What I have is the Deluxe Edition DVD, which offers these special features: Filmmakers' audio commentary, which is okay and sometimes interesting, although, frankly, I would've preferred Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell's two cents (and anyone else's in the cast, for that matter); 5 deleted scenes with optional commentary by the producer (including more with Rowan Atkinson's novice priest); "The Wedding Planners" and "FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL: In the Making" are two behind-the-scenes featurettes; "Two Actors and a Director" is a 5 minute segment of interviews with Director Mike Newell and Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell; a Behind the Scenes photo gallery; promo spots (pretty funny, actually, with Hugh and Andie each getting a 30 second spot to promote the movie); and the theatrical trailer. Not bad.
I can't help but bring up Hugh Grant's later film Notting Hill (Collector's Edition), and partly it's because it holds echoes of FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL. Both films feature an out-of-his-league Englishman romancing an American beauty, although NOTTING HILL is decidedly more fairy tale. Both films have wonderful supporting actors and that tiny whiff of elegance, and both films will make you laugh but then do a one-eighty and make you sad and make you reflect. Oh, but then NOTTING HILL doesn't trot out characters with names like Duckface, Vomiting Veronica, and Miss Piggy. For whatever bragging rights that's worth.
DVD Review: Shipping rates??
Summary: 4 Stars
I didn't need the book by the time I received it and I was given a credit in a very timely manner. This was greatly appreciated. My only question is why do I get charged $3.99 for shipping and the seller usually pays less? I order at least once a month from Amazon and the shipping rate is never what I get charged. Just wondering??DVD Review: Stuttering Luminescence
Summary: 4 Stars
I had teen girls in my house during the 90's and they loved this one. Hugh Grant's best role this side of an LA alley, I hate it when I'm snide like that. Anyhow, Grant fears he will never find the one, the lightning bolt one. Each wedding, his entourage of single friends, old school chums and a vagrant mop head dutifully attend, always late, always a little worse for wear. Every funny disaster at these loaded affairs are reviewed, Grant stutters through the pratfalls. He continues this technique through Notting Hill and Love Actually. The man is now very rich.
Yes, Andie McDowell literally glows like a cosmetics company ad. Never met anyone quite as luminescent at any wedding except, er my lovely wife.
DVD Review: 3 stars out of 4
Summary: 4 Stars
The Bottom Line:
Four Weddings and a Funeral is marred slightly by the presence of Andie McDowell, who may give viewers the impression that Hugh Grant ends up with the wrong woman; aside from that blip, however, the film is a completely successful merger of romance, comedy, and pathos.
DVD Review: British Humor
Summary: 5 Stars
Typical British humor. Well thought out plot with lots of laughs and some tears. Wide range of human emotions reflected in the movie. Worth seeing.
Description of Four Weddings and a Funeral
A surprise hit and one of the highest grossing films ever to come out of Great Britain, this effortlessly enchanting romantic comedy finds confirmed bachelor Hugh Grant (Nine Months) attending weddings with his single friends as they all lament not being able to commit. Grant keeps running into an attractive American (Andie MacDowell) at these festivities and begins a long-running affair with her, even as he attends her own wedding, the funeral of one of his best friends, and his own pending nuptials. Featuring a spirited supporting cast including Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient) as the acerbic friend quietly in love with Grant, this touching and funny film with a mischievous sense of humor and some truly heartbreaking moments is destined to become one of the classic romantic comedies of all time. --Robert LaneComedy DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in Comedy DVDs
Gosford ParkUniversal; Release date: 2002-06-25; DVD
Best price: $2.95
Price in other shops:
Ladies in LavenderSony; Release date: 2005-12-06; DVD
Best price: $4.70
Price in other shops:
Waking Ned DevineRelease date: 1999-06-01; DVD
Best price: $3.98
Price in other shops:
Shakespeare in Love (Miramax Collector's Series)PALTROW,GWYNETH; Release date: 1999-12-07; DVD
Best price: $4.58
Price in other shops:
Mansfield Park (1999)Release date: 2000-07-11; DVD
Best price: $5.07
Price in other shops:
Masterpiece Theatre: Northanger AbbeyWGBH BOSTON VIDEO; Release date: 2008-01-22; DVD
Best price: $13.50
Price in other shops:
Billy ElliotUniversal; Release date: 2001-04-17; DVD
Best price: $6.36
Price in other shops:
Love Actually (Widescreen Edition)Universal; Release date: 2004-04-27; DVD
Best price: $5.75
Price in other shops:
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Special Edition)Sony; Release date: 2001-02-27; DVD
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops:
Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)Sony; Release date: 1999-08-24; DVD
Best price: $5.78
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)SONY PICTURES HOME ENT; Release date: 1999-08-24; DVD
Best price: $5.93
Price in other shops:
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a MountainRelease date: 1999-09-07; DVD
Best price: $3.75
Price in other shops:
While You Were SleepingBUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO; Release date: 1998-02-04; DVD
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops:
Moonstruck (Deluxe Edition)TCFHE/MGM; Release date: 2006-04-18; DVD
Best price: $5.09
Price in other shops:
About a Boy (Widescreen Edition)UNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2003-01-14; DVD
Best price: $2.88
Price in other shops:
Sleepless in Seattle (10th Anniversary Edition)SONY PICTURES HOME ENT; Release date: 2003-10-07; DVD
Best price: $4.37
Price in other shops:
Bridget Jones's Diary (Collector's Edition)BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2004-11-09; DVD
Best price: $4.30
Price in other shops:
When Harry Met SallyRelease date: 2001-01-09; DVD
Best price: $2.97
Price in other shops:
Love Actually (Widescreen Edition)UNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2004-04-27; DVD
Best price: $5.27
Price in other shops:
Notting Hill (Collector's Edition)UNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 1999-11-09; DVD
Best price: $5.64
Price in other shops: