by Scott Johnson
We are officially in the thick of it, though at the time of writing this Washington has yet to enact any proper lockdowns or quarantines. Nevertheless, the majority of people are suggested to stay home and wait this pandemic out, which means you are likely struggling to figure out what to do! This should be plenty easy, especially in the age of internet streaming. But somehow people still find the need to be going to beaches and spreading germs. No thank you! We are just fine being cooped up with a pile of blankets, movies and popcorn.
We return this time with the rest of our countdown of the Best Weddings in Movies! For a refresher, click here!
Let’s see if your favorite has reached the top of the list!
As always, be ready for spoilers!
5. I Love You, Man
One of the most endlessly quotable movies of the century (“Laters on the menjay,” “Slappa da bass!” “Your best night in five years is watching Chocolat Johnny Depp? You should be ashamed of yourself!”), is also one of the best movies if you need a pick-me-up.
The ever-charming (and never-aging) Paul Rudd plays a real estate agent who, after getting engaged to Rashida Jones at the beginning of the movie, realizes he does not actually have any male friends to serve as Best Man. What follows is a charming, if at times crude, movie about friendship, love and the quest to find a best friend/man. As if it wasn’t a given, the movie closes with the wedding between Paul and Rashida’s characters, with Paul discovering a lot about himself, but also his loved ones. In a time where we all probably feel like we could use new friends, you’ll find plenty in this movie!
4. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson returns on our list with a movie that somehow perfectly encapsulates young, puppy love and all its wonders. Set on a fictional New England island, a young Khaki Scout named Sam Shakusky and his star-crossed lover Suzy Bishop, ditch their families and troops to venture off into the wild to find a new home. Oh, and they are both 12.
You can expect that things aren’t so easy for them, but with Wes Anderson at the helm alongside a massive cast (Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton and so many others). While the wedding here is not technically, well, legal, it is a poignant moment coming near the end of the film just as a hurricane is about to hit. For those seeking something off the beaten path, and an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, look no further than this wonderful flick!
3. Love Actually
Watching the opening moments of the all-time classic Love Actually may end up giving you the willies now: various people meet and greet at an airport, which if you were to do that today…then everyone would think you are bonkers. It could be said that this is a Christmas movie, but much like the song that Bill Nighy is attempting to convert from “Love” to “Christmas,” it is a movie that is first and foremost about love. So you do not need to feel weird about watching it in March, or even July for that matter. An inevitable, “Oh, look who it is!” movie, featuring everyone from Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson at peak Harry Potter, Andrew Lincoln (pre-Walking Dead,) Liam Neeson, Martin Freeman and Colin Firth, it is fascinating to see the trajectories following the movie.
Capturing love in all its shapes and forms (an aging rocker and his manager, a couple enduring a rough patch, a young boys schoolyard crush, and many others) a scene near the beginning shows the marriage of Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor, with a grandiose choir singing “All You Need is Love.” As we will later learn, Andrew Lincoln planned all of this to woo Keira Knightley, who he has been in love with for years. For those of you who have not had the chance to witness this magical movie, change that today!
2. The Godfather
Far and away the least romantic movie on the list, The Godfather does in fact open up with one of the most extravagant and stage-setting weddings in film history. And it isn’t even the only wedding in the movie! Clocking in at nearly three hours, along with Return of the King you will get a whole lot of bang for your buck. Not only is The Godfather regarded as one of the absolute finest films ever made, but it truly stands up to the lofty claims. Nearing its fiftieth anniversary in just two short years, it has aged remarkably well, almost like a fine wine: getting better each passing year.
Getting right into the thick of things, the opening wedding between Connie and Carlo unites just about everyone who will play a role in the film. We get to meet Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando,) Michael (Al Pacino,) Sonny (James Caan,) Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall,) and see the interplay already getting underway. There is the iconic scene with the baker making a case to the Don, Michael telling Kay the story about Luca Brasi, and so much more.
Of course, those who have already seen The Godfather know about the second wedding a little later on in the film when Michael is in hiding in Sicily. And those who have seen it will surely find it hard to forget his first wife’s demise: a car bomb meant for Michael. As I said above: this is definitely not a “happy” watch, but it is a must!
1. The Princess Bride
Did you guess that our #1 would be none other than the magnificent The Princess Bride? If so, great job! Now, for those of you weirdos who have not seen this movie, just please stop reading and go change that now. Seriously, I am not kidding. Do it!
Hearing those perfect words, “Wuv, true wuv” is enough to make us smile from ear to ear as “The Impressive Clergyman” played by Peter Cook starts the wedding ceremony for Buttercup and Prince Humperdinck (a true sham of a marriage if there ever was one). No, this is not the true love so promised by the movie’s premise, but somehow (like the rest of the movie) stands as one of the funniest most wonderful things ever. I will say it once again: go watch this movie!