When it comes to films of the 90s, there’s possibly no less recognizable star than the effervescent Julia Roberts. One of her roles was as Julianne Potter in the comedy My Best Friend’s Wedding, a film that really isn’t (and is) what you may expect.
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) Film Review
Life is carefree and pretty uncomplicated for Julianne Potter (Roberts). A career as a food critic serves her well and allows for her fancy free lifestyle to be simple and whimsical. In New York, she has the attention of her best friend, George (Rupert Everett) and no ties besides. But then complicated walks in when after months of missing each other, she hears from her most best friend in the world, Michael O’Neill (Dermot Mulroney), the man she’s known for nearly ten years and has been the one man in her life. Jules assumes Michael is calling about them, but in reality, he’s calling with news… he’s about to marry!
This sends Jules into a tailspin and she makes a plan. Michael has been hers for nine years, and she isn’t ready to give up what they have.
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This film has been in the world for years, but it isn’t something I’ve ever seen. Why I don’t know since I watched countless other of Julia Roberts 90 films, but this one, nope. Honestly, it’s what I assumed, but also, in many ways, quite different. The film puts Roberts in a role that she’s not always in, but in other ways, she plays the same character. I know. Makes perfect sense. (Inserting sarcasm here.) She’s a schemer in this who doesn’t seem to understand the weight of her words or actions. That said, I appreciate that she does understand wrong from right, and that weight is the heaviest on her. She makes a choice that is hard, but she makes it and comes to realize what being selfless means. In that way, I appreciate the growth.
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Beyond this, everyone else is fine. We like them but I never grow too attached to anyone specifically. Michael seems to want something needing him, but does have a deep affection for Jules; the perfect and wealthy Kimberley (played by Cameron Diaz) has the usual pinning of the stereotype, but mostly, I think she’s a good if not little immature character; and then there is George. Honestly, he feels like the only person with sense in the whole script, and perhaps this is how it’s meant to be.
While the film itself isn’t a favorite nor are some of the odd choices (the musical number is just off), I think a few of the scenes are extremely well done and seem cute (like Jules falling backwards through the door) or very poignant (the first dance, and the carry through of this at the end). By the end, things are happy, even if unconventionally so, and there’s this kind of uplifting feeling that everyone is going to be okay. There’s going to be healing and happiness, and that’s the best place to leave a character in. For this, and despite its flubs and oddities, I do appreciate the film.
You can find My Best Friend’s Wedding digitally on Amazon Video to rent or buy.
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Content: there is sexual humor, like conversation of “conjugal” visits and a use of the f-word used sexually. Remarks are made a few times about a characters sexuality (i.e. they like the same-sex) and there is some visual sexual innuendoes. There’s other more commonplace profanity like sh*t as well as plenty of schemes in an attempt to sabotage things. The film is PG-13 despite the sexual F-word (normally an R).
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Rupert Everett is the best thing about this movie! And yes, the musical number is a bit awkwardly placed, but I also love it’s weirdness. I used to watch this one alot and even bought the soundtrack.
I think the musical number “fits” in the sense of it’s driven by Everett’s character, and that APPLIES and fits with who he is (and what he’s trying to inspire Jules to do). Yet at the same time, it just feels off with the rest of the film. That probably doesn’t make sense… but it’s a feeling. ;)