The Wedding Video (2012)
Certified:16
Duration: 94 minutes
Directed by: Nigel Cole
Starring: Rufus Hound, Robert Webb, Lucy Punch, Miriam Margolyes, Harriet Walter, Angus Barnett, Michelle Gomez
KRS release

The Wedding Video is a hilarious take on both the wedding genre and the found-footage format.

This is an alternative take on the wedding genre which avoids so many of the usual pitfalls by daring to be different- Johan Galea

The latter genre has lately become the format of choice for aspiring horror directors but here it translates well into the zany comedy genre.

The British comedy follows the restless Raif Moyle (Rufus Hound) who has been all over the world.

He arrives in Chester where he is to be his brother Tim’s (Robert Webb) best man.

Raif and his brother are complete opposites and thus he is surprised to learn that Tim is to marry his former school mate, Saskia (Lucy Punch), who was always the life of the party.

However, when her mother Alex (Harriet Walter) had married a millionaire and become all snobby, the daughter changed tack too.

Raif’s video depiction, spliced also with other film crews’ video efforts, gives us a wedding day build-up that is simply all over the place.

The several highlights include: the film’s unexpected climax; the tug-of-war between the bride and her mother; the wedding details including the ‘romantic’ releasing of butterflies; and a grandmother in the form of Miriam Margoyles who is as sharp as a barber’s razor.

The Wedding Video highlights Punch’s comedy skills and I am sure we will see more of her on the big screen in the near future. Her evil turn in Bad Teacher (2011) was one of the good things in that movie.

Walter sometimes threatens to take over the film, especially in the way she tiptoes around with Punch.

Hound, who is a stand-up comedian, delivers a good performance.

The film is a collection of vignettes which suits the film’s format and subject matter well. When at times the story threatens to flag, Nigel Cole’s direction delivers enough energy to keep the comedy coming. The film has a mockumentary feel to it but is also romantic at times.

Its fast and furious approach makes sure it has plenty of elements that will elicit laughs across the board as it has something for everybody.

This is an alternative take on the wedding genre which avoids so many of the usual pitfalls by daring to be different.

It also makes one wonder who gets the most enjoyment from the intricate wedding: whether it’s the guests or the bride and groom!