In today's Hollywood landscape, it's only a matter of time before we see a wave of prestigious films capitalizing on 1990s nostalgia. With audiences' short attention spans and studios targeting younger viewers, nostalgia has shifted to memories from just a decade or fifteen years ago. The early 1990s saw a resurgence of 1970s nostalgia, while the late 1990s brought a slew of films aiming to evoke the 1980s. One such film is The Wedding Singer, a 1998 romantic comedy directed by Frank Coraci.
Set in 1985, the film follows Robbie Hart (played by Adam Sandler), a wedding singer with dreams of being a rock musician. After being left at the altar by his fiance Linda (played by Angela Featherstone), Robbie finds solace in his friendship with waitress Julia Sullivan (played by Drew Barrymore). As their relationship blossoms, Julia is also engaged to the arrogant Glen Guglia (played by Matthew Glave), creating tension and drama.
Despite its cliched romantic comedy plot, The Wedding Singer succeeds thanks to its bold casting choices. Adam Sandler delivers a restrained and endearing performance, a departure from his usual comedic roles. Drew Barrymore shines as the embodiment of feminine virtue, adding depth to the film. While the movie tends to hit audiences over the head with 1980s nostalgia, the chemistry between the leads elevates the story. Though it may not offer profound insights into the era, The Wedding Singer provides a solid hour and a half of entertainment.
Rating: 5/10 (++)
Originally posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on June 8th, 2004
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