Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
You're better off having been born after, say, 1965, if you really want to enjoy this corny romantic comedy and its abundant references to the MTV culture of the mid-1980s--and even then the odds are only 50-50 that you'll have a shamelessly good time. But a lot of people beat those odds, because The Wedding Singer was a surprise box-office hit when released in early 1998, and it resulted in Saturday Night Live graduate Adam Sandler's salary going ridiculously sky-high. It's a schizophrenic film about a seemingly schizophrenic wedding singer (Sandler) who's charmingly sweet to some people but a tongue-lashing maniac to others, probably out of frustration over his fading ambition as a wannabe rock star (not to mention Sandler's penchant for loud-mouthed lunacy). When he meets an admiring young waitress (delightfully played by Drew Barrymore), it's love at first sight, complicated by their pending marriages to much less appealing fiancés. The plot then contorts itself to accommodate this contrived will-they-or-won't-they? scenario, so you're better off ignoring the love story and focusing on the comedy, which is sporadic but occasionally hilarious. This is also a lighter, friendlier Sandler than moviegoers had seen before, which probably accounts for the movie's success. Toss in a fine supporting cast--including a show-stopping drunk act by indie-movie stalwart Steve Buscemi--and you've got the ingredients for a no-brainer that's ultimately more fun than it is annoying. --Jeff Shannon |
Customer Reviews
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 A Little Too Trite, May 14, 2023
The directing and acting (by Sandler) didn't work in a lot of spots on this film. It felt like they were just going through the motions. Drew Barrymore did an admirable job in this film and is one of the films saving graces. There are just so many scenes that are forced and difficult to watch (like the scene where the Sandler tries to help a rotund kid gain his self esteem by getting Barrymore to choose him to dance). If you haven't seen 50 First Dates yet, choose that film instead. The screenplay, acting, and directing are so much better in that film.
1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Don't think just because it's Adam Sandler it's funny., Mar 25, 2023
I'll make this short...
This is absolutely the lamest movie I've ever seen in my entire life. I saw this when it came out at the movies (only because the projector running "Dark City" was broken or something), and about 10 minutes before the end of the film, I left and got my money back. This is, by far, the worst movie Adam Sandler has ever done. It's kinda hard to actually describe how bad this movie sucks, but just trust me... IT COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY SUCKS!!
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Odd cover., Mar 17, 2023
Ok the cover of this movie stinks.But the movie itself was really
good.Its about this guy who sings at weddings and right before he was going to get married his wife sends him A note that says she doesen't want to get married.So he continues singing at weddings and meets this girl and really likes her but then he figures out she's getting married.A lot of this movie is comedy
but some of it is romance.
3 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
 Chick flick, Feb 21, 2023
Trying to understand the popularity of The Wedding Singer I've got to assume many never tire of its sappy, done-once-too-many-times formula plot of two people meant for each other about to marry the wrong people. Will they end up happily ever after? What do you think? Harlequin, the romance novel franchise and happy ending specialists, should sue the producers for plagiarism.
There are a few rare moments of fun in a movie that, overall, is quite uninspired, too often dull, and as predictable as the characters are unsurprising cardboard cutouts. Headliners Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler frequently make moon eyes at each other but that doesn't equate to chemistry, forget acting. The highlight in this movie is granny getting down to boogey. Unfortunately, that scene lasts maybe 10 seconds. Plus, it was played to death in the trailers.
Adam Sandler allegedly falls apart when his fiance doesn't show up at the wedding. But his grossly exaggerated self-pitty routine is neither believable nor particularly funny. Rarely does his voice veer from a droning monotone. You know you're a bad actor when Billy Idol's acting steals a scene from you during a cameo! His funniest moment is his unintentional bad lip syncing during his final tear-jerking silly love song. The good news is at least Drew Barrymore can act which, in this flick, is a very lonely job.
If you yearn for '80s pop tunes, the sound track is the best part of the Wedding Singer and, to large extent, helps the audience pass the time. Too bad so much of the music is just short clips.
The happy ending with The Wedding Singer is that it eventually does end.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Wedding Invite, Feb 14, 2023
Before they went on 50 First Dates together, Saturday Night Live alum Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, teamed up for the funny 80's retro romantic comedy The Wedding Singer. For anyone who came of age during that time, the film is a blast, playing on the unique time's contribution to our world. Things like MTV (ya know back when they played music videos), the first CD players, the fashions and more are all fair game for the humor of the story.
It's 1985 and Robbie Hart (Sandler) is the ultimate master of ceremonies ... especially at weddings, until he is left at the alter at his own wedding. Devastated, he becomes a newlywed's worst nightmare--an entertainer who can do nothing but destroy other people's weddings. It's not until he meets a warm-hearted waitress named Julia Sullivan (Drew Barrymore) that he starts to pick up the pieces of his heart. The only problem is Julia's about to have a wedding of her own, marrying Glen Guglia (Matthew Glave) and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of a lifetime, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever.
Writer Tim Herlihy, director Frank Coraci, and star Sandler know what works. Playing up his skills as a singer, Sandler is perfect for this part, playing it pretty straight. He and Barrymore are great together. There is of course, a perdictabilty at times, but the laughs make it all worthwhile. The supporting cast has some nice moments too. Christine Taylor as Holly Sullivan, Allen Covert as pal Sammy, Ellen Dow as rappin' Rosie and hard rocker Billy Idol (playing himself) all having fun.
The DVD extras are disappointing overall. I would have liked a commentary--maybe even a few deleted scenes to go along with what's there. 5 80's Karaoke Songs, 80's Music Mania (trivia), cast and crew filmographies, and a "Wedding Album" Photo Gallery are all you get. The film deserves better bonus material than that.
The film is a winner--extras aside--and well worth it.
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Based on 259 reviews.