Slightly overrated perhaps, but it still passes as a raunchy romantic comedy

Rating: 7/10 (23 September 2009)

This R-rated romantic comedy, starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, was a big hit at the box office in 2005, but it didn't really catch my attention until early 2006, when it was highly recommended to me. By then, I had missed the opportunity to go and see it on the big screen, but it wasn't long before I rented a copy on DVD, simply because of the recommendation. I guess I was fairly impressed with it, even though I can't remember that first viewing very well, and couldn't think of any memorably hilarious moments. Over three years later, I've finally seen it again. Because of its popularity, I had reasonable expectations, and while I still may not completely understand the huge heaps of praise it has received, I think it was better for me with my second viewing, as it was funnier and more memorable.
John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey are two lifelong friends, both single and working together as divorce mediators. They have a hobby of crashing weddings, and have a set of rules to follow for it. They get into the weddings under false identities, claiming to be related to the newlyweds. After they get in, both of them manage to attract vulnerable bridesmaids and get into bed with them just for one night. They never seem to fail! However, things don't go according to plan when John and Jeremy go to crash the wedding of Christina Cleary, the daughter of Secretary William Cleary. At this wedding the two friends set their sights on Claire and Gloria Cleary, two other daughters of William, but John actually falls in love with Claire! Jeremy makes out on the beach with Gloria, who turns out to be a sex-obsessed psychopath! John and Jeremy end up breaking the rules of wedding crashing and going to the Cleary family's island mansion, but they obviously can't keep their true identities secret forever!
The film is funny around the beginning, with our two main characters on the job as divorce mediators. I can't think of any super-lame gags, but the film may be a tad dull for a while. I think most of the film at least had me snickering, and some parts definitely made me laugh harder than that. Before they get to the island mansion, the funniest part MIGHT be John and Jeremy at a wedding, being caught swearing in church by people in front of them. I would say it improves when they get to the island mansion, as some really funny things happen here, such as Jeremy getting knocked down twice while playing football and saying he can't breathe, the scene with Jeremy and Gloria in the bathroom, Grandma Mary Cleary's insults, what Jeremy goes through when he's tied to the bed, etc. There's also a lot of very funny and often raunchy dialogue, and Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are good as the two main characters. Certain other cast members contribute to the humour, most notably Isla Fisher as the sex-crazed Gloria. Will Ferrell in the small role of Chazz Reinhold is also funny, if you like the comedian.
This is another crude comedy, and there are parts many people could find offensive, such as Jeremy tied to the bed and raped. If that sounds revolting to you, "Wedding Crashers" is probably a film you should stay away from, though I get the feeling I'm making it sound a tad heavier than it actually is. To me, there aren't too many really low points in the film, but one that really stands out is John beaten up by Zachary "Sack" Lodge (Claire's fiancée) as Sack's thug friends hold the victim, which really seems misplaced in a movie like this. It looks more like a scene from a crime drama than a romantic comedy. However, that is only one small part of the film, and fortunately, the rest isn't like that. For the most part, this 2005 smash hit comedy is a good, raunchy, silly romp, and the humour wasn't the only thing that kept my interest. The romance isn't bad, either. So, while not for kids (I'm sure you know it is rated R), and not for adults who hate crude comedies, I can see why this film has appeal.