Movie Review: The People We Hate At The Wedding (2022)

Genre: Comedy  

Director: Claire Scanlon  

Starring: Allison Janney, Ben Platt, Kristen Bell, Cynthia Addai-Robinson  

Running Time: 99 minutes  

Synopsis: Twice-married Donna (Allison Janney) has three grown children: London-based Eloise (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) was fathered by the wealthy Henrique, who subsequently cheated on Donna. Paul and Alice (Ben Platt and Kristen Bell) are Donna's children from her second husband, who later passed away. Now Eloise is getting married and invites them all to her wedding, but the family is beset by squabbles. Alice is having an affair with her married boss and resents Eloise's wealth, while Paul is upset at his mother and confronting inadequacy issues in his love life.

What Works Well: Some of the London locations are attractive.

What Does Not Work As Well: This so-called comedy offers at best a couple of laughs. The rest of the juvenile script consists of imbecilic adults chasing after alcohol and sex (and often failing at sex because of the alcohol), with vulgarity a perpetual stand-in for wit. All the conflicts stem from an inability to hold simple conversations, and the music soundtrack jackhammers every obvious emotion. The implausible resolutions arrive within an avalanche of new revelations (Dad was a homophobe! I can't have kids! I will overcome self-loathing!), and lead to nausea-inducing hugs-all-around. 

Key Quote:

Paul (to Alice): Eloise is our half-sister which means we can half-ass the relationship.



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