“Wedding Crashers” demonstrates that Man Movies don’t always need guns, explosions, biceps, and bombs. In perfect fashion, a pair of womanizing bachelors who will do or say whatever it takes to score without the hassles of dating is a no-brainer to kick off Man Movie May.
Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are a perfect pair for comedy, as illustrated in movies like “The Internship,” and the pair first joined up in 2005 for the ultimate guys comedy “Wedding Crashers.” The real life friends have a flawless chemistry on camera that results in success at any joint venture the two may share.
In “Wedding Crashers” we see Wilson and Vaughn in typical roles seemingly made for no one else. John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey (Wilson and Vaughn respectively) are best friends who hate marriage and dating. They have made a hilarious career of crashing weddings; copious research and strategical tactics are implemented for the pair to attend ceremonies uninvited with no other goal than to hook up with attractive and emotional women.
“Wedding Crashers” is funny from its thoroughly primal concept to its predictably simple conclusion. Wilson and Vaughn are so over the top and humerus it would be tough to critique them as anything but likable, despite their actions broaching the standards of abhorrent in today’s #MeToo world.
An early montage to the traditional wedding song “Shout” depicts the pair at work with there craft. Faking tears, giving toasts, and leading dances, all for sake of scoring by the end of the night. The pacing is a touch slow, I could have easily clipped 15 minutes from the 119 minute run time, but the laughs and hi jinks are consistent from beginning to end.
Both John and Jeremy grow in obvious ways when the perennial bachelors fall in love for the first time in their life amidst a major crashing scam. Its a commonly used theme but still highly enjoyable since the characters pull it off so well. While conning their crushes and the wealthy family where they are staying, the pair have adventures playing football, boating, and even going for a hunt.
Wilson and Vaughn are joined by a perfect cast. Antagonists come in the form of Christopher Walken playing a hard nosed old fashioned government official and father of Jeremy’s romantic desires (played by Isla Fisher), and Bradley Cooper as the obnoxious current beau of Claire (Rachel McAdaams) whom with John has an immediate connection. Jane Seymour plays an adulterous and feisty vixen, and Will Ferrell makes a hysterical cameo appearance as well.
Raunchy at all levels, “Wedding Crashers” is a funny comedy movie that follows a traditional route but delivers the laughs in splendid form. As we open Man Movie May – take a break from car chases and fisticuffs and sit back for some old school style comedy.
by – Matt DeCristo
