Four Weddings and a Funeral - Valentine's Day Film Review

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I've already done a music and song list for Valentine's Day, so I thought I'd do a review of the DVD of my favourite rom-com of all time.

I am not a huge one for rom-coms, but there is something about this one that has always got to me. I also like a few others, but this one is by far my favourite, so much so that I bought the DVD. It is one of those films that surprised me, pleasantly so, when I first saw it in the cinema. So, for Valentine's Day, here is a quick review of a fun and, at times sad film.



Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)
Director: Mike Newell
Writer: Richard Curtis
Stars: So many people, but the main two are Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell



So, first off, this film was written by Richard Curtis alone. Looking at films today, and there are whole committees writing these things. Most films have four writers at least; Deadpool & Wolverine, my favourite film of 2024, had 5. So for one person to write it and it to be shot as he had written it is amazing nowadays. And maybe that's why it works - this is one person's vision not diluted by anything or anyone (e.g. studio interference), and just visualised by a director and the actors.

And, yes, that writing is amazing. It is so well written. The dialogue feels natural, the way the characters interact feels real, and the situations make sense, even within the confines of a rom-com movie universe. And for the first few minutes the only word said is the F-word (yes, lots of swearing in this film, but I think that helps make it feel more natural), which works so well to set up the world we are inhabiting for 2 hours.

Oh, and spoilers ahead for a film 31 years old:

So, the story. It starts at a wedding where the best man, Charles (Grant) is attracted to an American, Carrie (McDowel). We meet the huge ensemble cast, and we get to know them so naturally. I keep using that word, but it is right there. And when we have films nowadays where characters give a personal exposition to describe themselves - there is a mantra in writing of 'show, don't tell.'This film shows; too many modern films simply tell.

Anyway, Charles and Carrie meet again at another wedding and end up sleeping together. Then Carrie gets married to someone else, and at this wedding, one of the group dies. The funeral is stunning in the way it is presented, and the use of Auden's'Funeral Blues' still sends a shiver down my spine.

We fast forward a few months and Charles, in an act of what is clearly desperation, is set to marry one of the females in the friendship group, but he discovers on the morning of the wedding that Carrie is now divorced. His brother gets Charles to admit in the service that he loves someone else, his wife-to-be decks him with one punch. Carrie comes to check on him, and Charles and Carrie agree to not be married together. And we end with a 'where-are-they-now' picture montage.

So, why is it so good? Despite that clip above, the film is genuinely funny. Rowan Atkinson (as the vicar) saying 'your awful wedded wife' still makes me laugh out loud. But it has at its core genuine humanity and heart. This is a large ensemble cast, but we care about them all (even Duckface). I will say it again -3 the writing is superb. But the acting cannot be underestimated, either. Yes, Hugh Grant took this film to keep playing variations of the same character for too many years, but this is where that started. And, yes, some say Andie McDowell sounds stilted at times. But the actors are all great; John Hannah deserves special attention here. Now, while I don't know a lot about the behind-the-scenes workings of film-making, the direction seems really good as well. And it feels real. This is not a clean, Hollywood set; this is the real world of the UK.

I really love this film. An easy 9/10 from me.

And then, of course, we have the soundtrack. I own the album on CD (of course), and here is a quick run-down:
'Love Is All Around' by Wet Wet Wet
A great cover of the Troggs classic, and a song that was in the charts in Australia and the UK for ages.


'But Not For Me' by Elton John
A standard Elton John ballad, though a cover of a Gershwin tune. Not bad, but nothing out of the ordinary.

'You're The First, My Last, My Everything' by Barry White
White's all-time classic number, with his bass voice dominating everything, is a great song.

'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes' by Nu Colours
A modern pop updating (at the time) of the classic song. I was not a fan of it back in 1994, and am still not now.

'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor
A disco classic this time, and a song that still makes people sing too loudly in pubs and clubs. I like this song.

'La La La (Means I Love You)' by Swing Out Sister
A cover of a 1960s song, and I actually prefer this version. Swing Out Sister wee always under-rated.

'Crocodile Rock' by Elton John
Yes, the classic rocker from John. One of my favourites from his repertoire.

'8The Right Time' by I To I
A standard bit of 90s dance-pop. Nothing special.

'It Should Have Been Me' by Gladys Knight And The Pips
Decent song by the band, starting with a snatch of film dialogue.

'Loving You Tonight' by Squeeze
Not a bad slower track from Squeeze here. The brass section does help make this.

'Can't Smile Without You' by Lena Fiagbe
A slowed-down version of the song, and one I was not a fan of back then. Now I can appreciate it, but it's just there.

'Four Weddings And A Funeral/ Funeral Blues' by John Hannah & Orchestra
This is the only movie-specific piece, with dialogue, the recitation of the Auden poem and what is the movie's score. Even without the visuals, this still makes me shiver.

'The Secret Marriage' by Sting
A slower Sting song, but he does these sorts of tracks so well, and this is no exception. Nice song.

'Chapel Of Love' by Elton John
Once more with a bit of movie dialogue to start, John does a great cover version of this old track from the 1960s.

I should point out that the US release of the soundtrack only had 11 tracks, not the 14 mentioned here. Soundtrack gets a 6.5/10 from me.

So, yes, that's the whole thing. My review of my favourite rom-com. I do like others (most involving Richard Curtis in some way, or are musicals), but, so long as you can handle swearing, this is the one I would recommend for everyone, including people wanting to get into this genre. It is also a great date night film (know this from experience) (more than once).

So, this Valentine's Day, give it a go. I own it on DVD, but I am sure it is on streaming somewhere (it is available to rent on YouTube Movies, for example). Sit back, enjoy.

And Happy Valentine'Day.

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