The Big Wedding Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Big Wedding" by Lionsgate Films, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.40:1 aspect ratio, leaves something to be desired when it comes to visual quality. Despite being a digitally shot feature, the resulting image lacks the vibrancy and sharpness that viewers might expect from modern high-definition content. While the picture quality is not appalling, its overall appeal is somewhat dulled by colors that appear muted, save for a few outdoor scenes where the palette momentarily brightens. The fine detail in the majority of scenes fails to captivate, often lacking the clarity that would make visuals pop off the screen. Furthermore, sharpness, although adequate, does not reach levels that would be considered remarkable by discerning viewers.

One commendable aspect of the video presentation, however, is the absence of aggressive color grading, which allows for a natural, if not particularly vivid, color representation. This choice by director Zackham ensures an accurate portrayal of the film's palette, despite its lack of luster. Nonetheless, there are notable deficiencies in shadow details, especially evident in darker sequences. An example of this can be observed in a scene featuring Seyrig and Barnes situated in a car, where visibility is compromised due to insufficient shadow delineation.

Overall, while the video quality of "The Big Wedding" on Blu-ray doesn’t fall into the category of being poor, it fails to impress with its visual presentation. The blunted colors, moderate sharpness, and an underwhelming handling of fine details prevent it from standing out. However, the accurate color palette might offer some solace to those seeking a faithful color representation in their viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "The Big Wedding" on Blu Ray, equipped with its lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, offers a competent yet unremarkable auditory experience. The dialogue is delivered with clarity, ensuring that every conversation, whether pivotal or trivial, is heard without impediment. This clear presentation extends to the film's environmental sounds, providing viewers with moments of immersive listening. Notably, during a scene where a character swims in a lake, the meticulous crafting of the sound field through the panning of water noises achieves an admirable sense of depth and realism.

However, while the mix effectively uses its surround channels to enhance the film's atmosphere, particularly through well-selected source cues, it doesn't consistently captivate or offer a dynamic range throughout. One of the audio highlights includes a standout performance of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" by Christine Ebersole, whose vocal talents shine in an otherwise underutilized role. This specific instance stands as a testament to the potential richness of the film's audio track when it fully leverages its components.

In essence, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix serves its purpose by providing a clean and clear auditory experience but falls short of being intrinsically memorable or pushing the boundaries of the home theater sound experience. The effort put into creating a detailed and immersive soundscape is apparent in specific segments, demonstrating what could have been achieved with more consistent attention to dynamic audio storytelling throughout the film.

The "Coordinating The Big Wedding" featurette offered on the Blu-ray presents a fairly standard yet insightful behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. Running just over sixteen minutes, it blends interviews with key cast and crew members with select clips from the movie, providing viewers with a glimpse into the creative process and logistical endeavors involved in bringing the story to life. While it doesn't break new ground in terms of extra content, it serves as an essential piece for fans interested in the film's production nuances and the collaborative effort required to coordinate such a cinematic event. Its direct and professional approach ensures that viewers gain a modest understanding of the filmmaking journey without veering into overly technical details.

Extras included in this disc:

• Coordinating The Big Wedding Featurette: A look into the making of the film through interviews and film clips.

The Big Wedding," an ensemble comedy showcasing an impressive cast of Academy Award winners including Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, and Robin Williams, navigates through the convoluted waters of a dysfunctional family's attempt to portray a harmonious facade during a wedding celebration. The movie ambitiously attempts to blend farcical elements with heartfelt moments but frequently stumbles, encumbered by trite writing and a series of implausible scenarios. Despite its intentions to evoke laughter and perhaps reflect on the nature of family bonds, the film is consistently bogged down by smarmy humor and an overreliance on sexual innuendos that seem more grating than amusing.

Central to the plot is a contrived setup where a long-divorced couple must pretend to be married to appease their adopted son's conservative biological mother, leading to awkward and sometimes borderline tasteless comedic situations. This premise is further complicated by subplots involving the couple's biological children facing their own personal crises, attempting to add depth but often ending up diluting the narrative focus. The film's attempts at tugging at the heartstrings with themes of acceptance and familial love are overshadowed by these overplayed gags, leaving much of its potential warmth and genuineness unrealized.

Despite the film's shortcomings, Diane Keaton emerges relatively unscathed, delivering a performance that hints at her iconic roles yet adjusting to the film's uneven tone. De Niro and Sarandon, however, seem out of place in this comedic milieu, their performances hinting at discomfort with the material. Essentially, "The Big Wedding" serves as a lesson in wasted potential, where star power and an intriguing premise are undermined by lackluster execution and a script that confuses crudeness for comedy, resulting in a forgettable entry in the rom-com genre.

The Big Wedding," a Blu-ray presentation that encompasses a mixture of expectations versus reality, attempts to bring the same vibrancy and star-studded appeal that Justin Zackham previously delivered with "The Bucket List." Unlike the latter, which benefited from both stronger writing and Rob Reiner's direction, translating into a product that was both more humorous and emotionally engaging, "The Big Wedding" falls short of these marks. The film, despite its attempt to mirror the allure of its French predecessor (which this review cannot comment on due to lack of familiarity), seems to have lost much in translation. Though it boasts beautiful scenery and manages to elicit at least one genuine laugh—assuming one has a penchant for lowbrow humor—the overall experience is predominantly lackluster and even awkward at times.

Analyzing the technical aspects of the Blu-ray presentation, it's commendable that the visual and audio quality serve well to highlight the film's few strengths, such as picturesque settings. Nevertheless, these technical merits alone cannot carry the weight of the film's underwhelming narrative and comedic execution. The ensemble of iconic actors, while promising on paper, unfortunately, does not translate into the dynamic or captivating performances one might expect. This discrepancy between potential and realization is a critical point of contention that significantly impacts the viewing experience.

In conclusion, "The Big Wedding" on Blu-ray is a product that seems to have all the right components—stellar cast, beautiful locations, and a premise with potential—but fails to coalesce these into a compelling or memorable cinematic journey. While technically polished, it lacks the emotional depth and comedic sharpness that defined Zackham's earlier work with "The Bucket List," resulting in a presentation that is, ultimately, rather forgettable. For viewers seeking a blend of laughter and heart, this title may not meet expectations, serving as a reminder that star power alone does not a successful wedding—or movie—make.