Wedding, A

Allegedly Altman's aim in this light satirical comedy loosely woven around a wedding reception that brings together Chicago blue-bloods and Southern arrivistes was no more complicated than to double the cast of leading players in his 1975 hit Nashville.

The result is that we have 48 characters of more-or-less importance who wander in and out of frame with more-or-less humorous results. Centre-stage and in characteristic mode is Carol Burnett as mother of the bride whilst around her are gathered a remarkable cast including Vittorio Gassman, Geraldine Chaplin, Mia Farrow, Lillian Gish, Lauren Hutton and John Cromwell.

Co-writer with Altman, John Considine is a hoot as the over-anxious security guard whilst Mia Farrow as equally good as a virginal-looking nymphomaniac. Whilst undeniably overlong the film is often very funny, much of the dialogue having been ad-libbed by the actors who have fun with Altman’s hands-off approach to direction.

 

Want something different?