Movie Review: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Genre: Romantic Comedy  

Director: Joel Zwick  

Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine  

Running Time: 95 minutes  

Synopsis: In Chicago, 30 year-old Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is still single, much to the disappointment of her large and boisterous Greek family, including her parents Costas and Maria (Michael Constantine and Lainie Kazan). Finally fed-up with working at her father's restaurant, Toula registers for college courses, undergoes an image make-over, and re-energizes her aunt's travel agency business. A romance evolves with teacher Ian Miller (John Corbett), but he is not Greek and Toula's family can overwhelm outsiders.

What Works Well: This sweet and conflict-free rom-com leans into the experience of immigrant offspring caught between homeland traditions and new world culture. Writer and star Nia Vardalos finds a few good laughs, mostly within the cacophony of an extended family obsessed with food, gossip, and well-intentioned manipulation. Costas benefits from a couple of good running gags (involving Windex and word origins), and the sense of caring chaos strengthening family bonds is infectious.

What Does Not Work As Well: The romance itself is lost in the shuffle, not helped by an underwritten role for romantic interest Ian, while his milquetoast parents come across as insular and ignorant. The Greek stereotypes are hammered home with the subtlety of a jackhammer, and within the tsunami of familial disorder, the more perceptive lines of dialogue are awkwardly misplaced. 

Key Quote:

Toula (narrating): There are three things that every Greek woman must do in life: marry Greek boys, make Greek babies, and feed everyone.

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