It’s rare to find a sequel that actually works, especially when it comes as a follow up to an all-time great film. The 2002 Indie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” was a surprise hit when it dropped, and finds itself amidst my personal Top 100 favorites. But does the sequel – released in 2016 – hold up on its own?
Writer and creator Nia Vardalos returns after the 14 year layoff, and thankfully the entire cast from the original reprises their respective roles as well. The plot of the first flick focused on Greek-American Toula Portokalos (Vardalos) in search of a husband that her rambunctious fun loving family would approve of. This go round its Toula’s teenage daughter Paris (Elena Kampouris) that faces the scrutiny of the clan.
The shortcomings are obvious with anything such as this. It’s the same cast of characters, the same indie style, and almost the same story. The plot itself lacks the urgency of the original, a film which has the viewer fall in love with the Toula character and become fully invested in her life. Here, the script doesn’t offer a lot of the daughter, other than quick glimpses of her being a typical rebellious teen who wants to go to college as far away from her family as possible. I found the first half to be somewhat dry. That being said, the second half more than makes up for it.
Nia Vardalos is once again amazing in the primary role. Where she was once a wallflower, she is now a loving wife and mother, who is experiencing her own standard marital difficulties with husband Ian (John Corbett) while trying to do what’s best for her daughter, parents, and extended family. The supporting cast (too many to name) again creates a perfect representation of a large immigrant family that’s proud of their ancient heritage and still accepting of modern American amenities. Having a family that’s as close as the Portokalos group is both enviable and understandably annoying. Like the original, there are numerous laugh out loud moments and characters that you’ll love to witness interacting with each other again after many years.
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” doesn’t compare to the original, but has its own place as a good sequel that successfully advances the story of the same family and works with the continuity of the players involved. Once again the setting of Chicago makes for glamorous urban shots and a great nesting spot for the family. The teenage love story with Paris and fellow student – played by Alex Wolff who was great in “Hereditary” is fun. Rumor has it Nia Vardalos is thinking about a 3rd installment to the series, and I hope she follows through with it. I would love to see a Portokalos Christmas story, fyi.
As we close out February and the month of romance films, I recommend getting “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” for a great time. You can follow it up with “2”, a funny heartfelt, charming, and well-crafted sequel that works.
