A small island, an accidental double booking, and two families hell-bent on having their weddings. What could possibly go wrong?
From Nicholas Stoller, writer-director known for his work on comedies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Bad Neighbours, You’re Cordially Invited stars Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell as Margot and Jim, two people who are determined to see their weddings to fruition no matter the cost, with Geraldine Viswanathan and Meredith Hagner as Jenni and Neve, the unfortunate brides caught in the middle.
Jim, a widow and devoted father to Jenni, is preparing for his daughter’s move back home. When she arrives with her boyfriend Oliver in tow, Jim is shocked to discover that they’re engaged despite being so young. Wishing to be supportive, Jim books the island inn where he and Jenni’s mother married for the following summer. Around the same time, reality TV executive Margot receives a surprise visit from her younger sister Neve and her fiancé Dixon. Excited by Neve and Dixon’s engagement, Margot announces that she will plan the wedding, and they will have it on the island they used to visit as children, booking the inn for the same day as Jim and Jenni.
When both families arrive at the remote island, chaos quickly ensues as Margot and Jim first make attempts to share the venue before devolving into all-out sabotage. From drunken shenanigans to cases of mistaken identity, Margot and Jim’s feud not only risks the safety of their guests but their relationships with their family.
In the vein of Stoller’s previous works, You’re Cordially Invited includes all the classic markers of a ridiculous comedy romp; liberal use of foul language, slapstick violence and half-cocked plans of payback. It’s a pretty solid recipe, and honestly, I can’t fault the results! You’re Cordially Invited sits neatly in its little comedy pocket, delivering well-timed laughs with some classic one-liners from bit characters and excellent background scene work from the supporting cast. It’s one of those films that does what it says on the tin, really.
With the key cast being Ferrell and Witherspoon, you can easily expect to sit through an hour and a bit of silliness, and both are well on their game here. I absolutely reveled in Witherspoon being foul-mouthed and bratty, while Ferrell so stealthily walked the line between pathetic and endearing. Somehow, this film is the first time the two are paired together in their illustrious careers. Both Witherspoon and Ferrell show great comedic chemistry within their one-upmanship, though the ham-fisted romantic subplot between them could have been done away with. While it’s not unbelievable, it didn’t feel entirely necessary, and the ending could have been equally heartwarming without it.
One thing You’re Cordially Invited really has going for it, outside of its A-list top bill stars, is in its solid supporting cast. Small parts from comedy heavyweights like Fortune Feimster and Jack McBrayer absolutely shine, while Leanne Morgan and Rory Scovel deliver some of the funniest scenes as Margot’s older siblings, Gwyneth and Colton.
A particular standout from the extended cast was Neve’s fiancé Dixon, played by actor and YouTube personality Jimmy Tatro. Having no real familiarity with his work, I was genuinely surprised by how funny he was with his straight-faced, dry delivery of both his lines and physical comedy.
Despite how stacked the comedy deck is for this film, young Aussie actress Viswanathan far outpaces the majority as Jenni, the young and naive bride to be. Her on-screen chemistry with Ferrell is unbelievably good, with the pair going from vicious yelling matches to compassionate apologies in a matter of seconds. Viswanathan, who cut her teeth in the raunchy teen comedy Blockers alongside Leslie Mann and John Cena, has an incredible grasp of her craft and with her upcoming role in Marvel’s Thunderbolts*, she will no doubt cement herself as a household name and face.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to say that You’re Cordially Invited is as memorable as Stoller’s other works, it is still an enjoyable time in front of the TV. If you’re a fan of silly laugh-fests, You’re Cordially Invited will tick all the necessary boxes for your next movie night.
You’re Cordially Invited is available for streaming on Prime Video from January 30th.