You’re Cordially Invited Review: Reese Witherspoon & Will Ferrell Shine In Charming Rom-Com

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If you have a pulse on today’s entertainment scene, chances are you’re familiar with Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell. They’ve graced our screens, both big and small, for nearly three decades. Witherspoon excels in seamlessly transitioning between comedy and drama; her finest screen appearances include “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Walk the Line,” where she clinched an Oscar. Ferrell, known as a comedy mastermind, launched his career on “Saturday Night Live” and later moved into films, bringing humor and emotion to projects like “Elf,” “Anchorman,” and “The Lego Movie.” Apart from their acting prowess, they’ve also built successful careers in production, even for projects they don’t star in. In essence, Witherspoon and Ferrell are titans of contemporary cinema and television. Consequently, the quality of “You’re Cordially Invited” might not come as a shock.

The movie titled “Written and Directed by Nicholas Stoller” doesn’t quite measure up to some of your favorite films. The wedding and reception scenes seem stretched out for the sake of the film’s flow since in reality, such a long gap at night during a wedding is unlikely. Additionally, it overlooks the fact that Jenni (played by Geraldine Viswanathan), Ferrell’s character’s daughter, sports a black eye in one scene, which realistically wouldn’t heal in a day. Furthermore, some questionable camera work leaves much to be desired; for instance, a dark hallway scene where Ferrell’s character has an emotional outburst is poorly lit, leaving me puzzled as to why it couldn’t be better illuminated.

Despite these flaws, this rom-com could potentially buck the trend of underperforming in cinemas. So, if you’re browsing for something to watch at home, you might find worse options than this film.

This is mainly due to Witherspoon’s portrayal of Margot and Ferrell’s portrayal of Jim being seasoned professionals, infusing their scenes with an electric energy only top-tier actors can deliver. However, there are also shining moments elsewhere. For instance, Jenni shines in certain instances. Additionally, Margot’s family members – Meredith Hagner as Neve, Leanne Morgan as Gwyneth, Rory Scovel as Colton, and Celia Weston portraying her mother, Flora – also have their standout moments. Moreover, even some big-name stars make appearances in cameos, like Bobby Moynihan and Wyatt Russell who host the reality shows, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the production.

A kinder, gentler premise

The story revolves around two pairs of couples, Jenni and Oliver (Stony Blyden) and Neve and Dixon (Jimmy Tatro), who both aim to get married at a Georgian island hotel on different weekends. Unfortunately, due to a booking error, the venue is scheduled for both weddings. Jenni’s father, Jim, and Neve’s sister, Margot, are tasked with resolving this issue. However, events take an unexpected turn when rain forces everyone inside on the rehearsal dinner night, bringing Jenni and Oliver’s guests together with those of Neve and Dixon. The next day, Margot delivers a tipsy toast to Neve, causing a stir. Later, Jim overhears Margot making derogatory comments about him and deliberately prolongs the sunset so that Neve and Dixon will have to get married in the dark, complicating matters further for Jenni and Oliver’s wedding plans.

Throughout the wedding weekend, tensions between Margot and Jim are high, but everyone (mostly) acts with good intentions despite their errors. The story is a more compassionate portrayal of rival brides in previous movies like “Bride Wars,” making it easy to sympathize with both Jim and Margot as well as the brides they’re associated with. Interestingly, both characters discover valuable lessons about their families during the wedding weekend, and while there’s humor involved, it doesn’t delve too deeply into personal conflicts.

Rom-coms only get so much respect

This movie is a romantic comedy, which means it may not receive deep intellectual analysis but I still highly recommend it. “You’re Cordially Invited” excels at what it does, and although it might not linger in your mind after the end credits, you’ll likely find yourself laughing if you do think about it. The film doesn’t delve into profound insights about life or tackle existential questions, but that’s not its purpose. Familiarity with the storyline is part of its charm, as romantic comedies often revolve around common themes. What makes “You’re Cordially Invited” stand out are the creative twists in the plot, and there are plenty to keep you amused. I won’t reveal these surprises, but rest assured that there are many humorous moments that will make you laugh, even if you’re doing mundane tasks like folding laundry or multitasking with another screen on.

Nicholas Stoller, known for his prowess in comedy writing and directing, truly excels in this genre. His works such as “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “The Five-Year Engagement,” and “Bros” (previously reviewed by Looper) demonstrate his skill, particularly in the script department. Having Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell as producers no doubt aided this production, as did a committed cast eager to deliver top-notch performances. Though “You’re Cordially Invited” may not meet the high standards set by some of this year’s Academy Award nominees, it is likely to be streamed by a wider audience and will probably be enjoyed by more people. In my opinion, that makes it a success. Despite certain issues, romance comedy enthusiasts are sure to appreciate “You’re Cordially Invited.

“You’re Cordially Invited” premieres on Prime Video on January 30.

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2025-01-29 06:30