Review of Four Weddings and a Funeral (Special Edition)

Introduction

Hard to believe it has been ten years since this film catapulted the floppy hair of Hugh Grant to stardom and with his recent declaration that he is unlikely to make any more films this could be an opportunity to begin a short if definitive collection. He has confined himself to similar films in the main apart from a couple of American disasters called Nine Months and Extreme Measures and not forgetting Mickey Blue Eyes.

Charles has reached an age when he spends many of his weekends at weddings and those in between ordering his suit and selecting appropriate gifts. Much like a bridesmaid who`s never a bride it is only when he meets Carrie, an attractive , and elusive American girl that it gradually dawns on him that he may be doomed never to meet `the one`. Charles is surrounded by a group of eccentric friends who all proclaim their singledom but conversations reveal that they have expectations of their own.

There are a lot of household faces in this film who worked for peanuts, Hugh got paid £15,000 and went on to earn considerably more after. Directed by Mike Newell this film made him able to pick and choose and he`s the director of the next Harry Potter film.

Video

There are no problems with the picture.It looks good with no obvious signs of grain or deterioration.

Audio

Love is All Around Us which became the wedding song of many in the mid-nineties and is definitely everybody`s song to hate is not as intrusive as you may remember. The score is written by Richard Rodney Bennett and an memorable addition is Nicola Walker(Spooks) and partner murdering `I Can`t Smile Without You` at the first wedding.

Also featured is little known singer Elton John with two tracks recorded especially for the film. Unlike later films that tried the same format this does not thrust the pop soundtrack at you and graciously includes a score as well. They meld well and create the correct mood. It is revealed in the commentary that Bennett fell asleep whilst watching the film and his score was much longer than it should have been.

Features

Audio commentary from director Mike Newell, writer Richard Curtis and producer Duncan Kenworthy.

This is a great commentary has the three of them sharing memories of the highs(getting it done) and the lows(the small budget). This is also available as an option on the subtitles menu if you like it that way. It`s full of trivia and they get on well with some personal touches. It`s the sort of commentary that like the film can be played again.

"Deleted scenes"

A few scenes taken out for distribution including the fiull Rowan Atkinson as trainee priest.

"`Four Weddings And A Funeral In The Making"

A good reasonable length featurette about the making of. Very entertaining.

"`The Wedding Planners"

A look back from members of the cast and crew

" 2 Actors And A Director` featurette"

How the two leads were selected.

Behind the scenes photo gallery

Some nice pictures-would have been better with a bit of the score behind it.

Promotional spots with Hugh Grant and Andie McDowell

These adverts were made but never used. Two perky ads where each take it in turn to promote the film.

Original theatrical trailer

Good trailer and very funny.

Conclusion

I was prepared to be cynical about this film ten years on after my deep depression following the awful Love Actually. Despite that I found on re-watching that I still loved it. It is a keeper, a box of chocolates movie that rewards your continued viewing. This film comes high on the list of comfort films that are reassuring. Thank God it`s also very funny and on some occasions very sad. I was moved to tears at several points and sometimes I was laughing and crying at the same time.
It is a film that you either love or hate because it sets up specific expectations and one of those is not to change the world. If you enjoy the paraochial and fairy-tale nature of films like Bridget Jones then this is also for you.

Repeated viewing has not dimmed its laugh lines and the more I watch it the more the underlying sadness and desperation of the characters is revealed. Character motivation remains a mystery to some extent and the turn of events is contrived to say the least but this film stands out for certain scenes; Simon Callow and his Scottish dancing, Hugh Grant quoting David Cassidy and Rowan Atkinson`s trainee priest. It is worth having the DVD just for John Hannah`s recitation of WH Auden`s `Stop All the Clocks`, perhaps the poem of choice at a loved one`s funeral.

The bonus items are just what I would have chosen. They add some `closure` to the package. As this `special` is not wildly overpriced it is an excellent gift purchase also.