The Wedding Party

Major milquetoast Guy (Richard Roxburgh) has just met his dream woman (Cate Blanchette), a sexy, smart and stunning beauty named Lizzie who's just head over heels for the big lug. Unfortunately (and inexplicably when you're sitting staring at Blanchette), this Guy just can't seem to get his long-time ex, Jenny (Frances O'Connor), out of his thoughts, and during the course of his engagement to Lizzie right up through their wedding, he (and the viewer) keeps flashing back on the course of that passionate, if ultimately ill-fated, past relationship. This grainy 1997 Aussie indie (née Thank God He Met Lizzie) was no doubt taken off the dusty studio shelf due to the recent rise of its two female stars, Elizabeth's Blanchette and Mansfield Park's O'Connor. Blame it on screenwriter Alexandra Long's bland script, which gives the principals nothing to bite into, or director Cherie Nowlan's constant time shifting, which prevents the film from building any momentum, but while these two fine actresses are both radiant on the screen, neither is particularly stand-out in their roles. Granted, this wistful look back at the ones that got away does have its small charms, but only enough to make it an optional purchase. (S. C. Sickles)