My Big Fat Greek Wedding

An unabashedly confectionery ethnic comedy-romance, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a shining example of how a movie's success can stem more from its spirit, charm and perseverance than from originality or artistry. Of the same feel-good disposition as the Aussie sleeper hit Strictly Ballroom, it's a low-budget, ugly duckling fairytale that is admittedly predictable and brimming with clichés, but also earnest, funny and joyful. Screenwriter Nia Vardalos stars as Toula Portokalos, a frumpy, shy, lovelorn 30-ish waitress in her father's Greek restaurant who--fed up with her huge family's amusingly, exasperatingly intrusive hounding about finding a husband--seeks self-empowerment by getting a new job and a makeover (and discovering her assertive, flirtatious side just in time to meet Mr. Right). No stone goes unturned when it comes to affectionate cultural ribbing of Vardalos's Greek heritage, but while the laughs are often obvious and the filmmaking elementary, affection and enthusiasm ably power this lightweight crowd-pleaser that only a grump wouldn't enjoy. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include full and widescreen versions; audio commentary by director Joel Zwick, writer-costar Nia Vardalos and costar John Corbett; and text cast bios. Bottom line: a solid extras package for 2002's biggest indie hit.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Nov. 20, 2012—HBO, 95 min., PG, $19.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2002's My Big Fat Greek Wedding features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include the original 2002 audio commentary by director Joel Zwick and costars Nia Vardalos and John Corbett, a retrospective featurette (29 min.), deleted scenes (8 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray debut for a popular rom-com.]