Sunday, November 17, 2019

Destination Wedding

Movie Name: Destination Wedding
Year of Release: 2018
Director: Victor Levin
Starring: Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6
Watch it on Amazon

Synopsis and Review:
Writer/Director Victor Levin made a name for himself on television (he was one of the writers and producers on "Mad About You" to name but a few of the shows he's been involved in), and previously directed the well received "5 to 7" with the late Anton Yelchin and Berenice Marlohe). "Destination Wedding" follows the story of an unlikely couple, Lindsay and Frank, who are brought together when Frank's half brother, who is also Lindsay's ex-fiancĂ©e, invites them both to his wedding. The wedding is in a somewhat remote area, forcing these two individuals, who knew of each other, but didn't know each other, to suddenly get acquainted, and immediately dislike each other. They travel together, get to the hotel where they're right by each other's rooms, and both partake in a dual bickering, disputing and constant squabbling fest, one that eventually sparks something. 
"Destination Wedding" is a film with a rather simple premise. Two people who are basically against the idea of romance, with a lifetime of squabbles and issues of their own, eventually find within them an ounce of truthfulness about who they are and who they want to be with. It's a film that it's overly verbose, but that in essence lives from the chemistry and complicity that exists between the lead actors. Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves, who played a married couple in the past, more specifically on Francis Ford Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula", spar, bicker and throw zingers at each other, yet it's clear that these characters belong together, and the pleasure here lies in partaking on the journey they take to get there. If anything, the film falters in not allowing them to have other characters to effectively support their journey, and give a better idea who these individuals truly are. It's a two hander type of journey, highly focused on figuring out who's letting their guard down firstly. Winona Ryder is her typical self, with a character who suits her self mockery perfectly, whereas for Keanu Reeves, is welcoming to see him playing a character that is grounded and almost bitterly irreverent. It's a smallish endeavor, but nonetheless not without its charm. Worth watching. 

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