The Wedding Singer

by DionysusPsyche

The Wedding Singer is so classic it's been turned into a musical. It came out in 1997, which makes my review "retro" or "rent it and stay home."

At the beginning of the film, Robbie meets Julia. We see that they are both sweet, romantic people in serious relationships. At a closer look, we see both relationships are in trouble. Robbie gets stood up at the altar. When Linda comes over to talk to him about it, we see that Linda and Robbie have dated so long, that Linda is in love with who Robbie used to be as opposed to who he is today. This is understandable since he lives in his sister's basement and plays low paying gigs where he gets paid in meatballs. No, I wasn't joking. Yet despite Robbie's dead end career, we can see Robbie, as per his last name, has a lot of “heart.”

Julia is having relationship issues too. She has been engaged for years and has even moved to the same town to be with him. Glen gives in to Julia's desire to get married, not because he wants to get married, but because he doesn't want to break up. I've seen this happen in real life too. As the movie progresses, we begin to see that no one approves of Julia's choice, except her mother, who only sees the charm that Glen presents within her company and the fact that he is loaded.

Both relationships have problems for absolutely real reasons. In Robbie's case, he and Linda are together because Robbie wants a family and is a born romantic. For Linda, she wants Robbie to become famous and leave their hometown for better things. In Julia's situation, Glen works long hours. She doesn't get to see the REAL him, and he doesn't want her to. Glen is with Julia, because he can consistently lie to her while he ignores her to be with other women. She is his pawn.

Robbie goes through mourning in a hilarious manner that involves a lot of singing and comparing himself to other hapless losers who also believe “love stinks,” because they “will never find true love.” Julia, who works with Robbie, comes to his aid by both being his friend and making him her personal wedding comrade. Robbie mentions it, but lets it pass when he asks where Glen is, and why he doesn't want to be a part of the planning process. Robbie is the only one...that she can count on to do wedding activities with.

Ladies, if your man is completely happy letting you do everything alone, don't be Julia. Please question it. Glen takes the old school approach of being willing to “show up” while continuing with his regular life. Meanwhile, he makes a horrible mistake. He lets Julia spend all of her time with Robbie.

For the two, it makes perfect sense. Robbie knows everything there is to know about weddings, and he goes along to make sure Jules gets the best deals. Plus, they get to spend time together and become closer friends. Pretty soon, everyone begins to see it. Robbie and Julia are meant to be. Of course, Glen doesn't want to lose Julia, and Robbie's ex makes a haste decision that brings her back to his door.

It's easy to see that the things that Julia and Robbie both want in a mate are things they find in each other. Robbie even risks taking a job he would hate in order to provide a better life for Julia--not something we see him do for Linda. Fortunately for Robbie, Julia loves him for exactly what he is.

Like all good romances and fairy tales, it ends happily. However, this film has excellent actors, an amusing/warming script, some great eighties cameos, and references. One of my personal favorites is the “time to make the donuts” reference. I don't even remember SEEING this commercial, but they show it early in the movie so you get the joke later on. Hence, even the most pop culture devoid (aka Brendan Frasier from Blast to the Past) will find something to chuckle over.

I would like to say that even audiences who shun Adam Sandler's outlandish performances find him at the very least tolerable in this film. I know my mom does. Barrymore is very much herself in this. Sandler's onscreen chemistry with Barrymore is even reunited in 50 First Dates. They even won MTV's "The Best Kiss" that year! Their onscreen friendship and gradual yet predictable love remind everyone of The One or at least someone they would love to be with.

In conclusion, this movie is wonderful. If you don't care for rom coms, you may find the cameos great or the unforgettable eighties paraphernalia or Adam Sandler's wig amusing.