Four Weddings & a Funeral [VHS] [1994]: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, James Fleet, Simon Callow, John Hannah, Kristin Scott Thomas, David Bower, Charlotte Coleman, Timothy Walker, Sara Crowe, Ronald Herdman, Elspet Gray, Michael Coulter, Mike Newell, Jon Gregory, Duncan Kenworthy, Eric Fellner, Richard Curtis, Tim Bevan: Amazon.co.uk: Video

Product details

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

When it was released in 1994 Four Weddings and a Funeral quickly became a huge international success, pulling in the kind of audiences most British films only dream of. It's proof that sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. In terms of plot, the title pretty much says it all. Revolving around… well, four weddings and a funeral (though not in that order), the film follows Hugh Grant's confirmed bachelor Charles as he falls for visiting American Carrie (Andy McDowell), whom he keeps bumping into at various functions.

But with this most basic of premises, screenwriter Richard Curtis has crafted a moving and thoughtful comedy about the perils of singledom and that ever-elusive search for true love. In the wrong hands, it could have been a horribly schmaltzy affair, but Curtis' script--crammed with great one-liners and beautifully judged characterisations--keeps things sharp and snappy, harking back to the sparkling Hollywood romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s. The supporting cast, including Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon Callow and Rowan Atkinson (who starred in the Curtis-scripted television show Blackadder) is first rate, at times almost too good--John Hannah's rendition of WH Auden's poem "Funeral Blues" over the coffin of his lover is so moving you think the film will struggle to re-establish its ineffably buoyant mood. But it does, thanks in no small part to Hugh Grant as the bumbling Charles (whose star-making performance compensates for a less-than-dazzling Andie MacDowell). Though it's hardly the fault of Curtis and his team, the success of the Four Weddings did have its downside, triggering a rash of inferior British romantic comedies. In fact, we had to wait until 1999's Notting Hill for another UK film to match its winning charm (scripted, again, by Curtis and also starring Grant). --Edward Lawrenson

From the Back Cover

The champagne is flowing - and so is the fun- in this delightful and sly romantic comedy about two people who belong together, but just can't seem to tie the knot. Ushering in two Academy Award nominations, and starring Hugh Grant ( Notting Hill ), Andie MacDowell ( Michael and a superb ensemble cast that includes Oscar nominee Kristen Scott Thomas, Four Weddings and a Funeral is truly a special occasion. Charlie (Grant) is always the best man but never the groom. Determined to avoid even a hint of commitment, this handsome English gentleman is notoriously late to every wedding. But today he's in for a real surprise because not only did he forget the ring...but he also just caught a glimpse of the girl of his dreams! Instantly attracted to Carrie (Macdowell) - a sultry beauty from America - Charlie leaves the celebration hopelessly infatuated. And when he keeps bumping into her at one ceremony after another, even a die-hard bachelor like Charlie can't hold out any longer. But just as he's posed to take the big plunge, Charlie learns that Carrie's also ready to dive into a matrimony - with another man! Elegant, festive, and very, very funny, Four Weddings and a Funeral is engaging entertainment from beginning to end...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

"There's a sort of greatness to your lateness" 21 Jan 2003

By Jennifer Litchfield

Format:VHS Tape

Four Weddings and a Funeral is an extremely funny film. If the opening sequence doesn't make you laugh, nothing will. And conversely, if Matthew's moving rendition of W. H. Auden's "Stop all the clocks. . ." poem doesn't leave you close to tears, then you must be truly hard-hearted. Unfortunately though, what could have been an excellent comedy has a major flaw.

Charles (Hugh Grant) is a likeable chap whose friends are all getting married, leaving him as a sort of perpetual Best Man. Then American Carrie (Andie MacDowell) enters the picture and causes Charles to reassess his thoughts on marriage. Grant has charisma in spades, but sadly MacDowell does not. In fact, she is perhaps one of the least charismatic actresses ever. Not only that, but the limit of her acting ability seems to be a toothpaste-advertisement-style smile. Fortunately the casting of Charles's motley collection of single friends is excellent, and one can't help thinking he would be better off marrying one of them.

The film is almost fly-on-the-wall in its style, which gives it realism and allows it to explore the relationships within the group of friends on an intimate and everyday level. Hence the subtle humour works better than, for example, Rowan Atkinson's very obvious laugh-line attempts as a preacher with a penchant for Spoonerisms.

As one character notes, weddings have a habit of blending together in the memory and the director has played on this, creating four weddings that are visually similar and yet distinct. And of one of them is particularly memorable for the fact that it doesn't actually include a marriage ceremony. At its conclusion the film shows that whilst marriage is a noble institution, it is not for everybody.

Comment |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful

Buy this over the vanilla release... 22 Nov 2005

By oliraceking

Format:DVD

If you're wanting to buy 4 Weddings on DVD, my advice is buy this one. The picture has been remastered to a level which I didn't think was possible when viewing the old release - extremely impressive. Also the sound has been remastered in 5.1, which although doesn't exploit the rear speakers a lot is a DEFINITE improvement over the vanilla.

The extras, too, are impressive. You get an interesting group commentary by director Newell, Producer Kenworthy and writer Curtis. Also included are; 2 documentaries, TV promotions, good deleted scenes etc. There's also the short featurette which appeared on the original DVD - so you're not missing out by upgrading.

Because DVDs can be bought so cheaply nowadays, my advice is to spend the extra pound or two and buy this - it's worth a thousand more than the old release.

3 Comments |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Wait for a region 2 realese 1 May 2011

By Mr. R. G. Prizeman TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Blu-ray

Firstly i love this film and the film is a great 5 star treat. However if you are like me and looking to replace a DVD version you would like to know more about the transfer.If you buy this blu-ray import not only will you get a 1.33 version cutting off a great deal of the picture which was shot on 1.88 ratio. As the picture has been zoomed in it suffers from being grainy, and I can not believe in this day and age anyone would still be cropping pictures to fit a 4.3 screen?.Also no DTS just standard 5.1 sound. My advise is just wait for a UK release, sometimes imports can be good, and I am very surprised no one else has mention this transfer being not good.

Comment |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

Would you like to see more reviews about this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 137 reviews

Were these reviews helpful? Let us know

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Topic:

First post:

Receive e-mail when new posts are made

Prompts for sign-in

Guidelines

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
comedy forum Funniest movie ever made ?	132	5 hours ago
comedy forum Comedy on't radio.....good, bad and the ugly	31	10 days ago
comedy forum Stand up and accents..which work, which don't?	3	12 days ago
comedy forum lack of research and mistakes in movies	25	12 days ago