Name: The People We Hate at the Wedding
Director: Claire Scanlon
Released: 2022-11-18T18:39:53

In ‘The People We Hate at the Wedding’, a dysfunctional family comes together once more at a wedding, as all of them realise what kept them apart. The comedy-drama film is now streaming on Prime Video.

Story

Donna (Allison Janney) met Henrique (Isaach De Bankolé) in England in 1980 and the two had a daughter, Eloise (Cynthia Addai-Robinson).

After she caught him cheating with the babysitter, Donna left England and returned to the US. There, she met Bill, and they had a daughter and son, Alice (Kristen Bell) and Paul (Ben Platt).

While the three children were close during childhood, as Eloise spent half the year with Donna’s family, they eventually drifted apart.

Eloise invites the three of them to her wedding with Ollie in London, in an attempt to mend their relationship. The narrative explores what happens when the four meet and actually communicate.

Performances

Janney, Addai-Robinson, Bell and Platt all share great chemistry. Their dysfunctional relationship forms the crux of the narrative, and the four hold their own as the main characters.

Eloise’s relationship with Alice is an important one, and the two bring a spark to their scenes together. Dustin Milligan, who plays Alice’s love interest, Dennis, is decent as well.

Positives

The exploration of the different dynamics between the family members is where ‘The People We Hate at the Wedding’ is at its strongest.

Right from the off, viewers are made aware of how distant each of them is to the other, and not all context is given. The details are divulged gradually, which keeps the storyline engaging. You’re intrigued throughout to know their past.

Whenever two of the four main characters have a heartfelt conversation, it does elicit emotion, and many would find a number of moments relatable because most families are dysfunctional in some or the other way.

The London setting gives an aesthetic glimpse of the UK Capital, and the cinematography is praiseworthy throughout the film.

Negatives

While the UK setting adds aesthetics, it takes away from nuance because of the treatment. The British characters are given the most cliched English dialogues you can see in a film; rife with ‘mate’ and ‘innit’.

Eloise even goes into ‘Bridgerton’ mode with the way she says ‘papa’. The stereotypical humour on the British doesn’t land either. Speaking of humour, very little of the movie will actually make you chuckle, just forget full-blown laughter. This is barely a comedy.

Verdict

‘The People We Hate at the Wedding’ has some interesting moments, but only when it delves into the dysfunctional family dynamic. Don’t watch it if you’re expecting a laugh riot.