A classic comedy that successfully pushes the boundaries

Rating: 9/10 (18 June 2008)

Of the many things that "Wedding Crashers" does really well as a comedy, the one that makes it the most special is that it dared to be rated R and outside the typical comfort zone for a "love and sex" comedy not merely by just flashing body parts. The content in this film is something anyone with a mature and open mind can laugh at, it was simply never thought to be included in films until now because it might "cross the boundaries." But when you aim for an R rating, I say have fun with it and "Wedding Crashers" does just that.
Jeremy Grey (Vaughn) and John Beckwith (Wilson), who have incredible duo chemistry in this film, are self-proclaimed "wedding crashers" as in they take advantage of the long guest list for weddings by pretending to be way extended family members so they can get free food and take advantage of love-hungry bachelorettes. All that changes at the Cleary family wedding when John falls for Claire, played by the gorgeous Rachel McAdams, who gives a performance as easy to watch as fish in a tank. John convinces Jeremy to go to the Cleary's summer home so he can continue to court her despite the fact that she has a jerk boyfriend (Bradley Cooper).
Vaughn gives his best performance as Jeremy, the protagonist to whom all terrible/hilarious things happen as a result of going to the Cleary's. Claire's sister hits on him and she proves to be a clingy, sex-crazed maniac, Claire's brother takes a look the wrong way and thinks Jeremy's gay and Claire's boyfriend loves to take Jeremy out anyway he can. I'd go into detail to explain how the boundaries get pushed, but that would spoil it. Vaughn also develops his signature "rant" humor in this film which is hysterical. Wilson is great in tandem with Vaughn, though his individual performance is not much different than usual. He's sort of the bridge between the comedic Vaughn and the romantic McAdams, doing both rather well. Christopher Walken and Jane Seymour as Mr. and Mrs. Cleary followed by a great cameo at the end help pad the tremendous cast.
McAdams as the infallibly believable Claire really makes this film go from a comedy to a date film and elicit an emotional response from the viewer. Most based-on-sex/romance comedies that lean heavily on the comedy don't really extend that well into the other areas, but McAdams makes that happens as Claire. She's a great call by the casting directors. Aside from a couple scenes and one significant one, it never gets into cheesy territory for too long. It's mostly a fun, boundary-pushing, extremely quotable comedy with appeal for couples, not just guys.