FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL

Mike Newell, the director of the 1992 and 1993 winners of the Roxanne T. Mueller Award for Best Film (“Enchanted April” and “Into the West”) displays his directorial dextertiy once again with a sylish and witty romantic comedy, FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL. Alternately charming and cutting, this portrait of social behavior follows Charles, wonderfully played by Hugh Grant, to the weddings of his friends while he steadfastly avoids the alter himself. Charles doesn't shun the company of women, mind you; he has had legions of girlfriends, but he can't commit to any of them. Then one day at a wedding reception, he is smitten by a beautiful but somewhat elusive American, Carrie (another radiant performance by Andie MacDowell). Elegant and captivating, Carrie, too, is quite enchanted, enough so that they end up spending the night together. But in the morning, they go their seperate ways and do not encounter each other again until another wedding. Here again thy're struck by one another, but again they part. And so it goes in this love story of two people who seem meant for each other, but who may never get together. Newell maintains a superb pace in this winsomely comic look at people getting and not getting married, which skewers in a fresh and often delightful way the attitudes of both men and women about marriage and commitment. Romantic films are perhaps considered light entertainment, but this one is also marvelously insightful, splendidly written, and perfectly carried off. The ensemble of actors is both memorable and vivid, playing full-blooded chararcters who contribute dimension and reality to the story. It's quite rare to find both intelligence and heart in a romantic tale, but these talented and creative people have managed it with style, and best of all, we can share in their accomplishemnt-Geoffery Gilmore, Sundance Film Festival