Review: Wedding Crashers (B+)

Review: Wedding Crashers (2005)
Directed by David Dobkin
Starring Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Christopher Walken, Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher and Jane Seymour
MPAA: R
Grade: B+

Review by Scott Standish

Comedies just don't seem to get proper respect these days. One of the best films of last year, Wedding Crashers received mixed reviews - either people loved this one or hated it. I loved it.

Wedding Crashers is an adult comedy and it is nice to see one these days that eschews bathroom humor for witty banter. Wedding Crashers has it down. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson (Royal Tenenbaums) have fantastic chemistry as best friends and co-wedding crashers. They obviously love each other as brothers and enjoy crashing weddings, meeting new people and yes, bedding beautiful girls that fall for their insane false identities. This is a "romp" of a comedy that has all of the bawdiness you expect, but not too much. It is hilarious, but not insulting.

Vaughn and Wilson play Jeremy Grey and John Beckwith, two single guys that love "wedding season". They crash the weddings and receptions under false names, and they ingratiate themselves into the family in a way that makes them irresistable to the young girls at the party. Free food, free booze and lots of female attention. It's not a bad idea when you think about it. Of course, things get a bit crazy when they actually have to deal with growing up. Love changes everything.

Wedding Crashers is an excellent comedy, perhaps the best of the year. It features great performances by Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Christopher Walken (King of New York, Communion, Basquiat) and an unnamed star (excellent choice for a surprise cameo) in the final act. Highly recommended.