A Terrific, Heartwarming Comedy!

Rating: Null/10 (26 December 1998)

The 1980s make a comeback with a vengeance! The Wedding Singer is a hilarious tale about a blue-collared wedding singer, Robbie Hart (comedian Adam Sandler) and how his friendship...and eventual infatuation develops with a fine and pretty waitress, Julia Sullivan (Drew Barrymore). Robbie Hart enjoys his job with a little bit too much pride. He sings, plays the guitar...and lives in the basement of his sister's apartment . Anyway, Robbie and Julia have met for first the time simply as friends. Robbie explains that he is engaged and is about to be married to another pretty woman. Before the wedding ceremonies could begin though...Robbie has little to rejoice...for his bride has failed to show up...
Robbie, crestfallen at this shattering heartbreak needs time to recover. He slowly transforms into a raging neurotic, insulting other couples in love and interrupting happy moments in wedding celebrations with such rendition of songs as "LOVE STINKS!" However, the powers of the always lovely Julia Sullivan have managed to mitigate much of Robbie's anguish...and slowly, he resolves back to his calm state of nature...
Robbie learns to control his temper and he begins acting in his happy-go-lucky mood again. Unfortunately...Robbie has a minor problem. He has just realized that his one and only true love is about to be married to a wealthy, prominent, and (hitherto unknown) perverted businessman. Robbie's soul is damaged, but somehow, he must find a way to dissuade Julia from marrying this guy. He needs all the luck he can get to convince her that those two are forever soulmates. Love hurts, but to love a person, is to truly find peace and happiness within each other... Will there be a happy ending to this quandary?
A kinder, gentler, and more sympathetic Adam Sandler is great as the title character in this meaningful, but always funny flick! It's also quite interesting to watch the transition of Sandler's behavior from coolness, to being dissolute, and eventually learning his true self as a kind and helpful man with a big heart! The Wedding Singer is a dynamic comedy that's a swinging, partying time! Plenty of allusions to the decade of the 80s were pointed and protruded out where CD players were a novelty, breakdancing was chic, and such singers as Van Halen and Boy George were considered idols and inspirations. The stylish music and songs from the past decade are terrific! Adam Sandler also provides some wonderful vocals, even speaking in Hebrew with one song!
The Wedding Singer has an ample amount of wit, irreverent social humor and moments, dancing, and musical numbers . Plus, there are many intelligent dialogue and external motifs to boost this film above the typical by-the-numbers stupid slapstick films. Those searching for fun, join the fesitivities! The Wedding Singer landmarks the goofy decade of the 1980s very accurately and well. Before the Internet, before computer generated special effects in movies, and before Cellular Phones and DVDs were a marketing phenomenom, the 1980s was the spirit of relaxation, good times, and carefree yuppies roaming around for excitement!
RATING: *** out of ****.