The Wedding Singer
for sex-related material and language.
Reviewed by: Brian Nigro
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teens to Young Adults |
| Genre: | Romance Comedy |
| Length: | 1 hr. 35 min. |
| Year of Release: | 1998 |
| USA Release: | February 13, 1998 (wide) |
| USA Release: |
| Featuring | Drew Barrymore, Steve Buscemi, Allen Covert, Ellen Albertini Dow, Angela Featherstone, Matthew Glave, Billy Idol, Adam Sandler, Christine Taylor |
| Director |
Frank Coraci |
| Producer | |
| Distributor |
 New Line Cinema, division of Warner Bros. Pictures |
“The Wedding Singer” is yet another movie that gives away the entire plot—hook, line, and sinker—in its previews. Anyone curious what happens after Drew Barrymore bumps a dinner plate into a wedding guest’s head, after Adam Sandler barks at the father of the bride’s criticisms of his singing, and the two fall head over heels over each other? Not much. There’s nothing in the two-hour “Wedding Singer” that’s not in its thirty-second capsule summary—except for sufficient vulgarity and innuendo.
For what it’s worth, this is a much better treatment of the 1980’s than the two high school reunion movies last year. There is a great soundtrack here, featuring mounds and mounds of retro. One of the better movie soundtracks in quite a long time, in this reviewer’s estimation—and yet, does the soundtrack enhance the movie, or vice versa? (There’s a great version of “Video Killed The Radio Star” that plays over the end credits, so most people will miss that.)
Christian audiences should be aware that one of wedding singer Robbie’s band members is an androgynous spectacle named George—as in Boy George and Culture Club. Whenever Robbie takes a break, George (played by Alexis Arquette) grabs the mike and sings “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me.” At every wedding, at every bar mitzvah, that’s his signature song—and the joke wears real thin.
The romantic triangle of “The Wedding Singer” isn’t much different than that of “Titanic”. Julia (Drew Barrymore) is engaged to a chauvanistic pig Glenn (Matthew Clave), but she really likes Robbie (Adam Sandler). The only difference is, the movie is Robbie’s point of view. (And, how chauvanistic is Glenn? He openly brags to Robbie that he’ll cheat on Julia. Nice guy, huh?)
A trend I see in Adam Sandler’s movies is genuine respect for the elderly. In “Happy Gilmore”, he won a golf tournament for his grandmother. In “The Wedding Singer”, he helps a senior with her singing lessons—it’s too bad this senior has some sleazy one-liners, but she’s still a likable character. Probably the most likable character in the whole movie.
“The Wedding Singer” is rated PG-13 for a few instances of profanity, all too frequent vulgarity and much innuendo. This easily could have been rated R. Generally not recommended, with the possible exception of anyone getting married (or related to someone who is.)
This movie plays it safe, stays out of immorality for the most part and uses characters that actually convey a sense of innocence. Adam Sandler, in his least crude performance of all displays a sensitive, innocent side that we don’t see too often and it comes across very well. And Drew Barrymore is also quite winning and loveable as the love interest of Sandler. And with the exception of a few parts, it is morally very strong. A few instances of profanity could have been avoided (Hollywood doesn’t know any better so I usually can’t expect the exclusion of it), but other than that I see good values being supported.
There is no sex before marriage, and in fact it is portrayed as it really is, empty and unfulfilling (The little speech by the limo driver in the bar illustrates this the best.), and true life-long commitment is championed throughout. I recommend this movie for those who want to see a light-hearted, by the numbers love story chock full of warm fuzzies.
As a Christian, I see Adam Sandler’s career turning for the better (not to mention Drew Barrymore) and I’m glad because I really like him and I was disappointed with his other movies. Both Sandler and Barrymore make a cute and realistic couple, moral, and innocent—they just want to be in love, REAL love. If it weren’t for the few cuss words littered through the movie, they could pass off as Christians in the real world.
everyone i know loves the movie. it’s getting great reviews. I absolutely loved it and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
In the opening we see a teen learn a harsh lesson as he experiments with alcohol and then vomits. Hardly glorifying alcohol. Other than that, I think if you take the things that happen in the movie too seriously you’re missing the point that it’s a comedy.
Bottom line: If ya like Adam Sandler, go see the movie. It’s worth the money!
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
It also shows that the lifestyle of sleeping around does not make one happy. It centers on the idea of true life long commitment in a relationship. There is one mention of having good behaviour in the presence of God at a wedding. However, it is quite vulgar, including children engaging in inappropriate behaviour, and so I don’t recommend it for younger viewers. It’s wordly, but enjoyable. Certainly Billy Idol’s appearance is quite entertaining.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3