A comforting feel-good flick
Rom-com family drama movie ‘The People We Hate at the Wedding’ is produced by Amazon Studios and revolves around three children: Eloise, Paul, and Alice.
The family gradually grows further apart over time. Paul is upset with his mom since he thinks Bill, his late father, wasn’t treated well by her. Eloise, who’s had a different upbringing from Alice and Paul, has lived a fortunate life in the UK and as a consequence has a strained relationship with her siblings.
Furthermore, Alice is secretly dating her employer Jonathan, whose spouse is expecting a child. Additionally, Paul’s situation has become completely out of control owing to his obnoxious and self-centered boyfriend, Dominic.
Alongside their mom, Donna, Alice, and Paul halfheartedly decide to attend the nuptials of their rich but distant half-sister Eloise after receiving invitations. What comes next are hours of laughter interwoven with a number of heartwarming moments.
It is unreasonable to expect the romantic comedy to innovate or explore with the humorous style. In a way, it succeeds in its purpose of being simple, feel-good entertainment. Although there are some plot twists, you anticipate where this tale is going from the beginning.
The movie has heartfelt elements that set it apart from other works in the same style, and the screenplay really comes to life once each character is partnered with the individual they quarrel with the most. These instances give the protagonists actual depth and go beyond the clichés of the affluent sister and her envious siblings.
The comedy-drama movie provides a heartfelt look into the complicated family dynamic as it parodies the effects of latent familial tensions and the theatrical ways in which they can erupt. Furthermore, the flick explores the effects of family aging and how self- or other-protection techniques could become concerns of purpose versus consequence that are frequently ignored.
The storyline is indeed uplifting, underlining the close relationship between Donna and her kids. The main characters have an unwavering love for one another and this element is showcased well despite their mental and physical detachment, as well as their feelings of resentment and anger towards each other. Furthermore, the banter in the movie is witty and easygoing, and the writing is sharp and genuine.
Bell is unquestionably the highlight of the movie when it comes to heart and humor. She delivers the majority of her one-liners brilliantly, and her portrayal of Alice’s blunt, grim demeanor builds the character development that actress Kristen Bell accomplishes with a smooth transition.
Alison Janney does a good job in her role as well. Additionally, the actors give decent performances that complement the cast.
The biggest flaw of this though comes from a failure to devote sufficient time to Eloise. Cynthia Addai-Robinson is a treat, and her excellent sense of timing is severely underappreciated. Eloise’s fundamental struggle with her entire extended family is that she always desired to be included, sadly she’s nothing more than a satellite orbiting around their small unit, and regrettably, the movie repeats the error by making the character seem inferior.
The supporting cast in the movie is also a total mess throughout because a lot is happening and as a consequence, their character arcs aren’t developed enough to let viewers truly care about them in any manner
That’s a shame too because the film features some fun appearances from a few comedic stars, notably D’Arcy Carden, and a simply terrific performance from Lizzy Caplan during her sequence. Although it’s always good to see Tony Goldwyn, he portrays Paul’s employer, and the background on Paul’s job sounds almost like it was added since it was part of the subject matter, and then when adapted to a movie, it doesn’t really help the tale whatsoever.
The People We Hate at the Wedding is a feel-good movie, but despite its heartwarming tone, doesn’t really do anything all that innovative. The plot is predictable but still entertaining to watch. The majority of the main cast do a decent job though, and Kristen Bell in particular shines. Overall, this is a pleasant and lighthearted rom-com , perfect to watch after a hectic day.
Read More: The People We Hate at the Wedding Ending Explained
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Verdict - 7/10
7/10