My Big Fat Greek Wedding / Mariage à la grecque

(Greek Style Wedding)

I read this article in The Age about rom-coms and I found it funny that it quoted When Harry Met Sally as one of the best of all times, when I watched it 2 week ends ago for the first time in a couple years (One of my friends is dating a Sheldon - that's what brought it on).

Anyway, the also refer to My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

I love this film. Not necessarily the rom-com bit. Although, come to think of it, it's a clever play on girl meet boy, where "everything" separates them.

Everything? Really? They are both in the same town (contrary to Sleepless in Seattle), speak English fluently (quote Colin Firth in Love Actually), live in the same "era" (Unlike in The Lake House or that one with Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan... errr.... title... oh well). 

Oh no, it's just that he is a WASP, and she's Greek. And she has got a huge mental family. 

Because that is the main strength of this film: the secondary characters. Oh yes, the main couple is cute and sweet enough to make you want to carry on watching but, really, really... The quirky family is the star of the show. And their one liners.

From the dad who can trace any word back to Greek (Kimono, really?), to the auntie who would make lamb for someone who doesn't eat meat, they all are exceptional.

Best use of a cleaning product, EVER!

My poor Greek colleague had to suffer hours of "a xeno? you are going out with a xeno?", "Bloodthirsty Turks! " and "Yes, the patient had a bobopsy".

Busy kitchen, much?

The original title suggests a happy ending - there will be wedding. It will be Greek. But it will also be big and fat: as big as the family and fat, well, not that they are fat, but the food consumption is... well, impressive (as someone in the film puts it "There are three things that every Greek woman must do in life: marry Greek boys, make Greek babies, and feed everyone."). It brings an impression of oppulence and life. And you know it's Toula, the main character,'s wedding too. 

The French title, as always tames things down just a wee bit. It's a Greek style wedding. Whose wedding is it? Dunno. Will there be food? Mmm... Maybe. Music? Well, prolly. You know, the Greeks, they like dancing.

Not that they are missing the point completely, but unless you know a Greek family and what a traditional wedding is like, you might be getting the wrong idea...