Case Number 15742: Small Claims Court

OUT AT THE WEDDING

Logo // 2007 // 96 Minutes // Not Rated
Reviewed by Judge Brett Cullum // February 19th, 2009

The Charge

A romantic comedy about a white lie heaped on top of another and another and another.

The Case

Out at the Wedding is a romantic farce where the lead misleads key people in her life and then must figure out how to keep the deception going. Alex (Andrea Marcellus, 30, Still Single: Contemplating Suicide) is a successful wine importer in New York City, and she's just gotten engaged to an airline pilot (Mystro Clark, Chairman of the Board). For some reason she tells him her family is dead, even though she has some very live relations in North Carolina. It could be that her soon to be husband is African American and Jewish, and she fears how her family will react. She goes home for the wedding of her little sister (Desi Lydic, Screw Cupid), and allows a rumor to float that she is a lesbian. Alex seems to believe this will be easier for everyone to accept rather than the truth she is marrying a man of a different race and religion. But then her sister comes to visit, and Alex has to produce a fake girlfriend (Cathy DeBuono, Tremble & Spark). The supporting cast has some veterans like Mike Farrell (M*A*S*H) who plays Alex's father, along with Reginald Vel Johnson (Die Hard) and Mink Stole (Pink Flamingos) who make appearances as Alex's fiance's parents.

Out at the Wedding is cute even though the main story is pretty dang improbable and downright goofy. The director makes the wise decision to let everybody play extremely broad, bordering on slapstick. This is old fashioned door slamming farce style acting, so don't expect anybody to go for an Oscar moment as much as channel The Three Stooges. You have to sit back and roll with the crazy twists and turns in the plot, and ignore anything that doesn't make tons of sense. The nice thing is this is a comedy where gays and lesbians are treated matter of factly by most of the characters. The reactions reflect modern progressive sensibilities, and that's refreshing to see. The whole thing is like a gay screwball comedy where everybody somehow manages to get their sexuality totally confused.

Logo provides a good package for the DVD release. The transfer is fine even though the film looks like what it is, a cable movie. Colors are vivid, but the whole picture is a touch soft and grainy. Extras include a very fun director's commentary and cast interviews. We do get a nice sense of what went in to making this light fun story.

If you're in the mood for a farce about a straight woman masquerading as a lesbian because it's easier than telling the truth, then Out at the Wedding is right up your alley. It's cute, but you'll have a hard time swallowing the plot if you think too much. Still, the comedy works at making you smile and giggle. It's worth a look, if you seek a gay comedy served up with a broad sense of humor. The cast is solid and they handle the fluffy crazy romantic comedy well turning in classic screwball performances that make the whole thing zip along. Not a bad little disc for the right audience, and certainly a good indication Logo is treating the movies it distributes quite well.

Scales of Justice
Judgment: 85

Perp Profile
Studio: Logo
Video Formats:
* 1.78:1 Anamorphic

Audio Formats:
* Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (English)

Subtitles:
* None

Running Time: 96 Minutes
Release Year: 2007
MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Distinguishing Marks
* Commentary
* Interviews

Accomplices
* IMDb
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0488023/combined

* Official Site
http://www.outatthewedding.com/