‘You’re Cordially Invited’ Review: Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon Are Wasted in Nicholas Stoller’s Laugh-Challenged Amazon Comedy

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In many cases, there’s a clear correlation between the intensity of a screen comedy’s desperation and the frequent use of four-letter words in its dialogue. Given the excessive number of expletives like “fks” and “b*hes” in You’re Cordially Invited, it’s evident that the film is quite desperate. When a movie’s most memorable line is something along the lines of, “We are going to create havoc with him,” it suggests that creative ideas for humor were running low.

Film director Nicholas Stoller, known for previous works like “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Bros“, as well as the Apple TV+ series “Platonic“, which was both clever and heartwarming with Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen, has unfortunately delivered a new project on Prime Video that is unrelentingly crass and humorless. Despite an impressive cast including Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, and a talented supporting group, this latest endeavor fails to rise above its vulgarity. When you witness Ferrell grappling with an unconvincingly fake alligator in a hotel room, it becomes strikingly clear that the movie has surpassed its peak moment – or in this case, the alligator.

The plot revolves around two unknowing weddings scheduled at the same inn on a tiny Georgia island over the same weekend. Coincidentally, or rather tragically, one reservation gets overlooked due to an elderly clerk at the front desk suffering a fatal heart attack just as she was about to confirm it – providing an amusing twist.

The predicament arises as Margot (Witherspoon), a producer of reality television shows, takes charge of arranging weddings for her younger sister Neve (Meredith Hagner, known from ‘Search Party’) and widower Jim (Ferrell) for his daughter Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan, famous from ‘Drive-Away Dolls’). Being the only family members Margot is close to, and having an overly clingy bond with Jim, they both desperately want their events to be extraordinary. However, their dismay grows when they discover that due to a scheduling conflict, one of the wedding parties must depart from the island. Both Margot and Jim are stubbornly insistent on having their special days, leading to a dilemma.

Upon learning that Jim is a widower, compassionate Margot graciously proposes a well-organized rotation for using the facilities. At first, this arrangement appears to be a suitable solution until events take a turn and Jim and Margot start secretly sabotaging each other’s wedding preparations. This situation unfolds like a dark comedy reminiscent of “War of the Roses,” but instead of laughter, chaos erupts. The notion of a boat crashing into a wooden dock and soaking all elegantly dressed wedding guests in a lake might seem amusing to some, but not everyone finds such an incident humorous.

This comedy walks a fine line, aiming for maximum humor while also tugging at the emotions. For instance, an unexpected scene unfolds where a man in a dancing zebra costume (oddly enough) ruins a beautifully crafted wedding cake that Jim made himself. However, this is followed by a poignant moment as he shares a heartfelt conversation with his deceased wife, expressing his deep longing for her.

Stoller makes a considerable effort to incorporate the type of awkward humor he’s traditionally known for, evident in a scene where Jim and his daughter perform a duet of “Islands in the Stream,” with lyrics like “Making love with each other, ah ha,” which could be seen as bordering on incestuous. A brief appearance by NFL legend Peyton Manning is included, along with Nick Jonas playing a “seductive pastor” according to one of the wedding guests.

Ferrell consistently gives his all to deliver the content flawlessly, and it’s worth noting that he occasionally achieves this feat due to his immense comedic vitality. To match him, Witherspoon, revisiting the broad humor she excelled in during movies like “Legally Blonde,” delivers a fitting performance with her quick wit and endearing screen presence.

Certain characters, like comedian Leanne Morgan and Jack McBrayer, bring humor to their roles as a lewd wedding guest and overwhelmed inn manager, respectively. Meanwhile, Celia Weston adds depth with her sincere portrayal of a Southern matriarch. However, even the actors’ impressive performances can’t fully counterbalance the illogical aspects that pervade the storyline.

During the turmoil, Ferrell’s character feigns a heart attack. This instance serves as a clear sign of just how far both he and the film have fallen.

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2025-01-29 06:25