What is there about weddings that make them such surefire movie material? The
reason seems to be that weddings are normally solemn, ceremonial events. And when
things go awry, such as the bride or groom not showing up or a voice from the
church objecting to the marriage, it can be dramatic or hilarious, or both.
Some examples: "Father of the Bride," "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "My Best
Friend's Wedding."
"The Wedding Singer" doesn't quite match those films, but it is a pleasant
diversion, well acted and punctuated with explosive laughs.
Adam Sandler plays a wannabe songwriter who earns his keep - $60 a night -
emceeing wedding receptions. He's good at it, singing, cajoling, spreading joy to
all the participants.
With some trepidation, Sandler is facing his own wedding to a beautiful airhead
(Angela Featherstone). At one of his jobs, he meets a first-time waitress, Drew
Barrymore, who is engaged to a rough, womanizing bond salesman (Matthew Glave),
who drives a DeLorean and is in no hurry to get married.
When his bride fails to appear at the church, Sandler goes ballistic. At one of
his jobs he insults the guests, maligns the wedding couple and ends up being
punched out by the father of the bride.
Sandler's work is stolen by a smarmy wedding singer (unbilled Jon Lovitz) and
falls further into despair. His only solace is the sunny Barrymore, who enlists
him to help in the preparations for her wedding. He soon discovers that her
intended groom is an unworthy two-timer. The climax comes on a jet headed for Las
Vegas with a hugely funny scene featuring rocker Billy Idol.
"The Wedding Singer" was tailored to Sandler's talents by three men who know his
work best, old buddies from New York University: producer Jack Giarraputo, writer
Tim Herlihy and director Frank Coraci. They serve him well.
Herlihy's script shows some rough spots, but mostly it is entertaining, with a
number of surprises. Coraci has Sandler underplay most of his scenes, hence he
becomes a more endearing character.
One of the legion of graduates from "Saturday Night Live," Sandler is still
evolving as a film personality. "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore" connected
with the young crowd, but he has yet to register with mature ticket buyers. "The
Wedding Singer" will help that transition.
Barrymore's role could have been a blank. She invests it with such warmth and
unaffected charm that she is irresistible. The supporting players, especially
Allen Covert and Angela Featherstone, contribute ably. Steve Buscemi makes an
unbilled appearance as an obstreperous drunk.
