Having joined Tesco's branding of the home DVD club, which seems to be a front for LoveFilm, I scratched together a list of 10 films that I would like to see. Top of the list was Muriel's Wedding, which has been recommended to me a ridiculous amount of times.
It came off the list a couple of hours later, as it showed up on TV the same night, so I sat down to watch it without having to rely on the postman after all.
My first impression was decidedly negative. Muriel was a hideous character - unpleasant, unattractive and gauche. I nearly switched off the first time someone called her by her name thinking, "God, I don't want to watch a film about her!"
It turns out that this is why this film rises head and shoulders above other films in a similar vein. There is real characterisation, and the lows are very low and often bitter, so the highs are real gems. Instead of pandering to the viewer's expectations the story moves at its own pace and isn't afraid to really sink its teeth into your thigh. It doesn't then add a salve with fluffy and predictable moments thrown in for the sake of it. And during some of the laughs, you don't know wheter you should be laughing or crying.
It's true comedy drama, and the 'feelgood' label is one that I shouldn't attach to it. Imitations of it are feelgood films; this was simply a quality movie. And as it progresses you see Toni Colette's beauty shining through, and though Muriel is by no means perfect, she is someone I was happy to cheer on.
Rachel Griffiths provided great support as Rhonda, the buddy you always wanted, and Jeanie Drynan supplied a large dollop of poignancy as Muriel's neglected mother.
Highly recommended.
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