Muriel's Wedding (1994)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

P.J. Hogan

Writer:

P.J. Hogan (written by)

Release Date:

10 March 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

She's not just getting married, she's getting even.

Plot:

Muriel finds life in Porpoise Spit, Australia dull and spends her days alone in her room listening to Abba music and dreaming of her wedding day...

Plot Keywords:

ABBA | Wedding | Marriage Of Convenience | Makeover | Betrayal

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Sophie Lee	...	Tania Degano
Roz Hammond	...	Cheryl
Toni Collette	...	Muriel Heslop / Mariel Heslop-Van Arckle
Belinda Jarrett	...	Janine
Pippa Grandison	...	Nicole
Bill Hunter	...	Bill Heslop
Jeanie Drynan	...	Betty Heslop
Daniel Wyllie	...	Perry Heslop
Gabby Millgate	...	Joanie Heslop
Gennie Nevinson	...	Deidre Chambers
Rachel Griffiths	...	Rhonda Epinstalk
Matt Day	...	Brice Nobes
Chris Haywood	...	Coach Ken Blundell
Daniel Lapaine	...	David Van Arckle
Susan Prior	...	Girl at wedding

Also Known As:

Muriel (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for sex-related dialogue and some sexuality.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

Australia | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-8 | Germany:12 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

CentrePoint Tower, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

CiBy 2000

Trivia:

The writer/director P.J. Hogan wanted to use the music of ABBA in the film. At first, permission for the music to be used was denied. When the director promised to fly to Europe to plead his case to the founders of the band, permission was granted, as long as the band received a percentage of the film profits. The film turned out to be a big international hit. The film helped inspire the very successful Broadway show "Mamma-Mia".

Goofs:

Continuity: The evening after Rhonda reveals to Tania that Nicole was having the affair with her husband, Muriel and Rhonda are playing Abba in a talent contest. Tanya and Nicole start fighting during the song, but when you cut back to Muriel and Rhonda, you can clearly see the girls still sitting there just watching.

Quotes:

Muriel: I can't stay married to you, David. I have to stop lying now. I've told so many lies... I don't love you.
David: I don't love you either, but I think I could like having you around.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dancing with the Stars: (#7.7)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

We've only just begun

Great movie as the Aussies can only do!

A dark comedy it is but it really touches the heart and it can be quite sad at times. There are many levels that you can watch this movie on and many do say there is a superficialness to it. However, there are core human elements that clearly ring through in this movie. Friendship, compassion, empathy. Toni Colette and Rachel Griffths both make this movie stellar. It is heartbreaking at times to watch Muriel (Collette) wanting to be someone of value. Her feelings are so true to her heart and I am sure many can relate. Griffith's character is portrayed with such humor and honesty. She also has some of the funniest lines I have heard in a movie in a long time.

Please watch this! It does offer meaning and you certainly can't go wrong with the music of ABBA!