Australian-British prenuptial comedy from the writer of Death at a Funeral and the director of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, about a wedding that hurtles into havoc when the groom’s incompetent 'best men' arrive.
After English chap David (Xavier Samuel, Twilight: Eclipse) announces his impulsive engagement to Aussie lass Mia (Laura Brent), his three mates (Kris Marshall, Kevin Bishop, Tim Draxl) dedicate themselves to attending his marriage in Sydney. Despite good intentions, the inept trio cause a chaotic, culture-clashing chain-reaction of disasters.
In the interests of consumer protection, perhaps the promotional lines should read “from the countries that bought you such unfunny ‘gems’ as Charlie & Boots and Lesbian Vampire Killers”. For this is an Anglo-Australian ‘comedy’ that is remarkable in its ability to be virtually a laugh-free zone. What set-pieces aren’t telegraphed – you just know the family heirloom sauna will play an important role and disaster will befall Ramsey the pet sheep – consist of cringe comic moments involving a replica Hitler’s moustache, front-bottom burps and a coked-up Olivia Newton John.
Director Stephan Elliott (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) tries to elevate proceedings with match shots a-go-go and some clever use of reflection, but even he can’t rescue this painfully limp hybrid of Crocodile Dundee, Muriel’s Wedding, Meet the Parents and The Inbetweeners Movie. The editing is choppy, the soundtrack, filled with muzak versions of classic ‘70s and ‘80s pop, is one of the most excruciating in years and, after an hour and a half of gross-out moments, they then have the audacity to lather on some late schmaltz. Death at a Funeral (which shares the same writer as this) was a hit because it had great actors, not necessarily known for their comedy chops, three-dimensional characters, a frenetic pace and a high gag quotient. This just leaves you gagging.
By James Croot, Flicks.co.nz
The following is an extract from theaterofthecommonman.com Riding the success of The Hangover franchise and it's tale of drunken debauchery, 'A Few Best Men' feels at best a misfired imitation. Three British chums are disturbed to learn their fellow mate David (Xavier Samuel) has fallen in love and become engaged to an Australian girl, Mia (Laura Bent). Travelling to Sydney for the wedding, the guys find just enough time to have an attempt at every Australian observational quip possible. Upon arrival they meet Mia's parents, Jim and Barbra (Olivia Newton John), the day before the wedding, evidently the same day as a stag night, which as you can by now have guessed turns a bit pear shaped. What follows is a bland series of attempted 'cringe'moments as the boys, still intoxicated, try to negotiate the wedding day. There is little to praise this film for. I didn't connect with any of the characters, the compromising scenarios they put themselves in were poorly constructed, leaving almost all punch lines falling flat. There was only one scene that was remotely enjoyable, that being the adhoc best man speech one of the guys, Graham (Kevin Bishop), is made to give after ingesting a substantial amount of Cocaine. As we know, all good best man speeches involve tales of sodomy and the disclosure of the groom's homosexuality. But sadly folks, that was the one and only time I laughed, not a great endorsement for a comedy I'd expect.
Looks long and hard for comedy gold but still entertains; comedy bronze.
A witless, brainless, gormless, senseless, tasteless and - worst of all - laughless comedy about a country wedding reception gone wrong.
Olivia Newton John is an absolute hoot as mother in law in this madcap romantic comedy that brings together English and Australian humour in earthy earnest.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 2nd Feb 2012.
Release date: February 2nd 2012.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
