My Big Fat Greek Morals Go to the Movies: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

My Big Fat Greek Morals Go to the Movies: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 March 26, 2016

big fat_optThis is not a movie where spoilers are possible because this is a pleasant little film that dispenses with plot in favor of characters. Dickens sometimes did it, so it can work, and mostly it does here if you anticipate made for television and not Dickens.

If there are males in the target market for this movie, I must be that person. I am big, fat, and Greek (Orthodox). My wife is neither big nor fat, but she is Greek (Orthodox). We enjoyed the first movie enough to watch it several times, but sadly this movie has most of the vices of the first movie and only a few of the virtues. We had fun, we always have fun on a date (unless it is Wagner), but not so much as with the first movie.

Is it worth a date night? This is a better choice than Batman versus Superman, but perhaps that does not need to be written. The movie is almost entirely pleasant, mostly devoid of any edges, and comforting in this rough and tumble world. What it is not . . . is Christian and Greek culture is Christian. If you don’t mind this, and the useless bow to homosexual behavior, then the movie is worth your time. Just as the last movie used the Greek Church as a prop (see the “conversion” of the love interest), so this Church going family goes to Church (mostly), but doesn’t seem to believe most of what the Church teaches.

Nobody thinks to ask the priest for advice on anything, ever. He exists to perform and the Church is a center for culture not values. Don’t bother telling me some Greek Orthodox churches are this way: yes. These are the dying churches and the film sets attitudes in the community back when film maker and star Nia Vardalos was a girl even though this is supposed to be about the present day.

So that’s what’s wrong with the film? What’s right about the movie is the sheer geniality of the characters and the fact that older people are allowed to be romantic. One of the best moments of the film (mild spoiler ahead) portrays three generations of love. That does not happen in Hollywood often enough. Parents are in love. Grandparents are in love. Kids are in love. Good for Ms. Varalos. The characters are less differentiated than in the first movie often appearing as a family mob. The humor is “Dad humor” (telephone, telegraph, tell a Greek) that is dated (do kids know what a telegraph is? a telephone?), but still jolly good fun and there is little cynicism, a refreshing change from Hollywood.

Nia Varalos has a two basic acting tricks (the side long glance and a Greek version of the Meg Ryan sparkle), but since she is playing herself, the bit still works. When both your stylistic moves are on the poster for the film, you should be cautioned, however. Time and tide are kinder to the Tom Hanks who learns the craft than the the Meg Ryan who will not do so.

If you have not seen the first film, the characters may escape you. The film will be two-thirds over before a newbie knows that the stiff Anglo couple are the grandparents on his side of the family. Elena Kampouris as the “only child” is . . . not very good at the whole acting thing . . . but mostly is limited to eye rolls so can be endured. The returning cast is awe-inspiring and so reaffirming that much of what went right in the first film was  Michael Constantine (Gus) and Lanie Kazan (Maria). The bit players struggle to give life to three dimensional characters (the sexy aunt, the bossy aunt, the stud cousin) and mostly succeed.

The script is stilted, predictable, and stale. Look at the poster. That is the plot.  Still as fan service, the movie works so it can be excused if you do not expect too much.

Is this a great movie? It is not. Is it a fine film? It is. Does it hint at a sequel with an adopted baby? Sadly, it does. What is good about this movie is a rehash of what was good about the last one. What is bad (ethics, stereotypes, writing) remained bad. Sadly, this movie was not as fresh as the first. One could see Varalos, in a career stalled, looking back to her roots to revive her career. Don’t do it Varalos. This is good enough for a matinee ticket, but on the edge of wait-until-Netflix. If you must do another film, get a new writer.

Here is hoping that Tom Hanks’ Playtone and the brilliant Rita Wilson pay attention the next time they are at liturgy in Los Angeles and give us a big, fat, Orthodox film to enjoy.

Why not?


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