Don't expect a rehash of
My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
My Big Gay Italian Wedding is also a comedy, but more, well, gay, and subtler and very Italian (even the parts filmed in Germany). It's based on a successful Broadway play of the same name.
image from Festival FB page
The movie begins with the romance beginning – with a pickup in a cafe in Berlin. ("It's easy to be gay in Berlin.") It continues with close-ups of the lead character Antonio (Alessandro Genovesi) and his first kiss, a picnic, his 28th birthday party, falling in love and the proposal. It is at this stage that we meet the endearing "Neapolitan oaf" Paolo (Salvatore Esposito). I don't think I need a spoiler warning as the title of the film pretty much gives it all away. Which leads us to the meet-the-parents stage. Let me tell you he's not Fonzie and it's not
Happy Days.
image from Festival FB page
There scenery and cinematography of Antonio's rural hometown - the little dying town of Civita in conservative Italy - are stunning. I'm not sure if the architecture is Gothic, Medieval or Baroque but it is visually beautiful. The music is also terrific and the film has a gentle dig at the musical genre ("a gay version of theatre").
The director has some fun with the female characters. There is the crazy ex – Camilla, the stalker. Benedetta (Monica Guerritore) is the vegan, alcoholic flatmate who gets some of the best lines. (I giggled like a drain when she gave her opinion about Jesus, rabbits and drugs). Then, of course, there are the two difficult mothers and a depressed transvestite thrown in for good measure. All very amusing.
This hour and a half rom-com (sorry no Zoms) is not all light-hearted – it has some serious messages such as politics vs humanity. It champions human rights and tolerance and touches on prejudice and homophobia. The narrative moves from nice to nightmare when the characters dream up a crazy idea that you know will lead to an unforgettable
Matrimonio Italiano. Will Cinderella and his Prince Charming live happily ever after or will this whole cast of crazies descend into chaos?
My Big Gay Italian Wedding is part of
The Lavazza Italian Film Festival which is being held in all the capital cities, from 11 September to 24 October 2018 with tickets from $11.00 to $18.00.
Sydney: 11 September to 10 October.
Canberra: 12 September to 7 October.
Melbourne: 13 September to 7 October.
Adelaide: 19 September to 14 October.
Brisbane: 19 September to 14 October.
Perth: 20 September to 10 October.
Hobart: 18 October to 24 October.
This heart-warming movie ties in very nicely with
Brisbane Pride Month.