Though the idea may sound Greek to many readers, this was a total bollywood masaalaa movie in the line of new breed of NRI cross-over movies. For this reason, it will hit home as much to Indians and other ethnic minorities.
Boy Ian meets girl Toula. But, gal is Greek orthodox and boy is Anglo-Saxon protestant. So, boy has to convince girl’s parents to marry her. It is DDLJ all the way in story/characterization/look/feel and what not.
Girl’s father Nick runs a family-owned Greek hotel, sings ’’Hamare Bhatinda me ..’’ type praises of all things Greek and sprays Windex at every possible opportunity. Though he has a strict but caring patriarch role, he also has the most funny gags in the movie. He has this lovable habit of deriving Greek root of any word (incl. Kimono, the Japanese robe!) and pithy wisecracks. He is very protective towards Taula who works as ’’Sitting Hostess’’ in the hotel.
But Taula has different plans of her own and sets out to fly from the nest. Mother is very supportive of her academic as well as romantic aspirations. She along with the Aunt (has standard ’’Himani Shivpuri’’ role of flamboyant, dressy woman) trick Pa into getting Toula a job in Aunts Travel Agency. She also does a coming of age routine (tho’ at bit advanced age of 30) of turning from a proverbial ugly duckling into a swan and finally hooks Ian. Ian does any and everything to woo her, becomes a Greek Orthodox and finally wins affection of the entire Greek family.
Every character is well-drawn, unique and memorable although there are just too many of them. It is amazing that so many of Greek family members make a lasting impression on you though I have not seen any of these actors before. Greek are shown akin to our own Punjabi culture (what they show in movies) : Loud , boisterous, fun-n-food loving but very orthodox when it comes to preserving their identity.
Almost all the humor is targeted at Greeks Vs English culture and is created by crisp witty dialogues. Here are some which are worth watching for:
We were studying philosophy when your ancestors were swinging from the trees.
In Greek, Miller (Ian) means Apples and Portokalos (Toula) means Oranges. In the end, we are all fruit - Toula’s Father
Men may be the heads of the house, but we women are the necks, which turn those heads. - Toula’s Mother
Greek women have three jobs: Marry a Greek, raise lot more Greeks and then feed all those Greeks - Toula
Many Greek-English translation gags pulled by Ian & Toula’s cousins
Music also have mid-eastern, Greek flavor to it. As the title suggests, a Greek Wedding is shown in all its glory. I got to know a hell lot more about Greeks than I ever saw on discovery channel, which is an interesting thing in itself. Seems Americans like Wedding movies. Monsoon Wedding was also a decent hit here.
To sum it all, it is good old traditional, sweet, charming movie. Light for brain, warm for heart. Reminds you of a tonne of bollywood movies in bits and pieces. Same old wine but the new bottle has this exotic freshness to it. Best part is it feels as if these guys had a lot of fun while making the movie, as much as we have seeing it.
You gotta watch it for it’s Greek-ness and not for the big fat wedding part.