The story is a simple one: a determinedly-plain Greek girl (played by Nia Vardalos, who also wrote the movie) at last awakens to the prospect of love, transforms herself from dowdy waitress to glamourous travel agent, and obtains the object of her affections - a high school teacher. But alas! Scandal! He's not Greek. Instead, he sprang from WASPish parents who find the exuberant potential in-laws a bit hard to take even when self-lubricated with unexpectedly strong ouzo.
If you've seen it, you loved it or you wouldn't be clicking on this article to torture yourself with memories of a movie you couldn't stand. If you haven't seen it, suffice it to say it's a feel-good fairy tale and if you have any affection for Greece and Greek culture, you'll love it. If you have any affection for any country or culture, you'll love it. So will your yia-yia (or any other cultural equivalent of old-country grandma.)
This Greek-American family hails originally from the island of Mykonos, which accounts for the numerous seashell-adorned objets d'art decorating the already over-decorated house of the family patriarch, a Greek restaurant owner. There's already talk of a sequel - can we hope it includes a return to the Greek homeland? In that case, it's a shame that Nia Vardalos didn't choose a Greek island actually in need of more visitors - surely there is an obscure uncle they can visit on Samothrace!
The "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" soundtrack is available, filled with Greek songs and a sprinkling of other tunes featured in the movie.
The DVD and video are now available.
Still not enough "Big Fat Greek Wedding" for you? There's also a spin-off television series set to debut later this fall as being Greek finally becomes a "hot" ethnicity. Star Nia Vardalos will reprise her role, along with most of the movie's original cast.
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" - Trailers, Interviews, Links, Buy the DVD, Video, or Soundtrack
Greek Singles
Getting Married in Greece
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