Upon its release in 1994, director Mike Newell’s Four Weddings and a Funeral became an international hit, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and turning Hugh Grant into a star. A hilarious look at love and friendship, it was the kind of film most audience members could relate to in one way or another.
Grant stars as Charles, a forty-something Londoner who moves from girlfriend to girlfriend without ever falling in love. His friends have begun to marry, but Charles hasn’t even considered the possibility. Things change when he meets Carrie (Andie MacDowell), an American fashion editor. Though the two enjoy a brief tryst at an inn, Charles’ British reserve kicks in, and Carrie is on her way back to America before he realizes he should have told her how he felt
True to its title, the film features four weddings and a funeral. While the central story is something that can be found in many romantic comedies, it is framed by a plot filled with small twists and turns, lots of laughs, and a bubbly, invigorating atmosphere. Director Mike Newell shows a real gift for guiding escapist fun. He allows his actors, as well as the script to carry the film. The result is a lighthearted, intelligent comedy with moments of sadness (including an emotional reading of W.H. Auden).
Screenwriter Richard Curtis wastes little time getting the humor started, and once it starts, it doesn’t stop until the credits roll. The biggest laughs occur during the second wedding and center on Rowan Atkinson as a somewhat confused priest. Of course, Atkinson is familiar with Curtis style; they collaborated on the British TV show Blackadder.
Hugh Grant, excellent here, pretty much established the type of character he would play repeatedly for the next fifteen years—likeable if occasionally befuddled. It truly is perfect casting, as there’s no scene, whether comic or serious, that Grant is incapable of doing well. Andie MacDowell, playing opposite Grant, is a surprising choice, but she acquits herself well. The supporting cast features a number of familiar British faces, including a high-spirited Simon Callow.
Four Weddings and a Funeral is a modern comedy that effectively blends laughter and tears. Highly recommended.
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, this 1080p Blu-ray provides a crisp picture. skintones are perfectly natural-looking. Colors are bright in scenes when they need to be, and slightly overcast when the mood shifts. Black levels are solid, no matter the mood. Grain is minimal.
The featured audio is an English DTS-HD MA 5.1 that´s mostly front-heavy because the film is dialogue-driven. At the weddings and en route the rear effects speakers come to life, but for the most part ambient sounds aren´t much of a presence. Additional audio options are French DTS 5.1 and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, with subtitles in English SDH, Spanish, and French.
Four Weddings and a Funeral ports all of the special features from the previous DVD over to this edition.
- Feature Commentary by Director Mike Newell, Producer Duncan Kenworthy and Writer/Co-Producer Richard Curtis
- Four Weddings and a Funeral In the Making (SD; 7:45) is a short EPK featurette with interviews and filming footage.
- The Wedding Planners (SD; 29:48) is a better, longer and more in-depth featurette offering interviews with Newell and the creative staff.
- Two Actors and a Director (SD; 5:41) apparently, Newell hired Andie MacDowell because she was “available, gorgeous and American” and the film was two weeks out before production was slated to begin.
- Deleted Scenes (SD; 4:02) has some funny stuff in receiving lines, although video quality is pretty spotty. Duncan Kenworthy offers an optional commentary.
- Promotional Spots and Trailer
