SM Plus: Movies - It's a Big Fat Jewish wedding
MARK ADAMSSUZIE GOLD (15)
THE STARS Summer Phoenix, Leo Gregory, Stanley Townsend, Frances Barber, Miriam Karlin, Iddo Goldberg, Rebecca Front.
THE STORY Suzie Gold (Phoenix) mulls over her complicated love life as she gets caught up in the lavish plans for her sister's wedding. Is the good hard-working Jewish boy Anthony Silver (Goldberg) right for her or she should she follow her reckless heart and plump for rough and ready Darren (Gregory)? Cue plenty of comic material as friends and family seek to steer her in the right direction, while Suzie finds fun in her new job as a runner at a TV studio. But will she follow her heart or toe the family line?
WHAT'S GOOD? Already being sold as a My Big Fat Jewish London Wedding, at times this is an endearing and amusing comedy that makes the most of a few funny cliches and retains a gentle humour throughout. American actress Summer (yes, sister of River and Joaquin) Phoenix is excellent as the confused Suzie and puts on a good London accent, while there is a great supporting cast. For some reason, sultry ex-S Club 7 girl Rachel Stevens also crops up in a brief cameo. Nice use of North London locations and some classic Jewish wedding footage.
WHAT'S BAD? Though sweet and nicely bitchy at times, it doesn't quite manage to achieve the same blend of hilarity and romance as My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Leo Gregory as Darren is sadly lacking in charisma and while the Gold family are amusing and frighteningly realistic, the direction can be a bit heavy-handed.
HOW LONG IS IT? A romantic 94 mins.
FINAL VERDICT You'd have to be a meshugine (crazy person) not to enjoy it a little.
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