My Big Fat Greek Wedding (DVD) Review by Britt Gillette

The surprise blockbuster film of 2002, My Big Fat Greek Wedding won over the hearts of movie viewers everywhere with its light-hearted comedy and interesting characters. Written by Nia Vardalos (who also stars in the lead role), My Big Fat Greek Wedding - which was originally intended for the stage - garnered the talented writer an Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. A feel-good, family-oriented film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one film movie buffs everywhere won't want to miss…

Living in Chicago, Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is a thirty-year-old single woman working in her family's restaurant, Dancing Zorba's. In dire need of a makeover and hoping for a life beyond the restaurant, Toula and her mother conspire to convince Toula's father Gus (Michael Constantine) that she should take some computer classes. Gus demands it (believing it's his idea), but his first wish for Toula is that she will marry a good Greek man.

Seeking a new life of career advancement, Toula again enlists her mother's aid in convincing her father that she should go to work at her Aunt Voula's (Andrea Martin) travel agency. In addition to her new career, Toula gets a total makeover to go with her new life. But things take an unexpected twist when, while working at the travel agency, Toula catches the eye of a local high school English teacher, Ian Miller (John Corbett). The two begin dating, and they fall in love. Only one problem, though… Ian isn't Greek!

When Gus finds out that his daughter has been secretly dating a non-Greek, he's furious. But when Ian and Toula decide to get married, Gus must learn to accept his new son-in-law-to-be. Ian must learn to accept Toula's big family, and Toula must learn to accept herself...

Nia Vardalos exhibits her true out-of-this-world talent when she performs not only as the writer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but also as the lead character Toula. Playing her part to perfection, Vardalos creates an onscreen chemistry with John Corbett which is simply magical. The couple comes across as realistic and fun, yet not overly clichéd and melodramatic in their pronouncements to one another. The result is that My Big Fat Greek Wedding becomes a true celebration of happiness for two individuals (one the audience feels privy to).

Overall, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a smash success - as a comedy, a romantic comedy, and a clash of cultures comedy. Vardalos's uncanny portrayal of an American Greek family where half the relatives are named Nick or Maria is hilarious. And the blending of two people and two families into one despite the differences between them is an uplifting and inspiring story that can't help but merit a smile. Nia Vardalos is charming as the sweet and innocent Toula, and her writing is beyond compare - that's why My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a definite must-see film you can't afford to miss.