I've seen MY BIG FAT Greek WEDDING twice, so I am pretty sure about what I saw...yet for the life of me, it's overall rating is a relatively paltry 6.7 (as of 8/09). Considering how much money this film made and how well-crafted it was, this score just seems way too low---especially since this is the ultimate date film--there simply is no better.

What I liked about the film in particular is that it has appeal to both men and women and this cannot be said of some "chick flicks". Sure, it has romance and kissing and the like, but it also is funny, warm and enjoyable on many levels. Heck, I could even see older kids enjoying the film--whether or not they are Greek.

The film consists of a wonderful ensemble cast. While there are some famous actors in the film (such as John Constantine, Lanie Kazan and Andrea Martin),these are not necessarily household names and the rest of the cast are pretty much unknowns. This is NOT a problem, as it increases the believability of the film and these unknowns all proved they could really act--and have no reason to stay unknown for long.

Considering that my review is coming years after the film was released and there are already a ton of other reviews, I won't bother to beat a dead horse and discuss the plot. The bottom line is that this is a brilliant film. On one hand, it all seems so simple and slight, but on the other the film really delivers in every possible way. So many funny and wonderful moments--be sure to have a few Kleenex when you watch this sweet film.

Sometimes I try watching a different genre to see how I get on with it. Usually not very well and that's the case with this much-loved crowd-pleaser. I found the tone overtly sentimental and the characters overbearing.

In Chicago, Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is a 30 year old Greek spinster. She has always been the frumpy outsider from a large family. Her proud Greek father wants her to marry a nice Greek boy and have a bunch of Greek kids. She works at the family restaurant where Ian Miller (John Corbett) comes in one day. She falls for the tall teacher immediately. She decides to go back to school to study computers and her mother convinces her father. She starts working at Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin)'s travel agency. She meets Ian again and they start dating before getting her father's approval.

I like the family more than the couple. Vardalos and Corbett are not necessarily top rank actors. They don't make for a great rom-com pairing. What excels is the extended Greek family. They are all great and each one brings fun joy. The movie drags when it focuses on the couple. It's not like their relationship is that compelling or dramatic. They are functional but the family is excellent.