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"You're Cordially Invited" is a standard comedy and that's perfectly fine

DERRICK DUNN

Director and writer Nicholas Stoller brings his talents to Prime Video for his latest comedic effort, "You're Cordially Invited," starring comedy legend Will Ferrell and Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon.


Jim (Will Ferrell) is eager to give his daughter, Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan), the perfect venue for the wedding of her dreams. However, the blissful day takes a turn when Jim discovers that a calamity error leads to television executive Margot's (Reese Witherspoon) younger sister Neve's (Meredith Hagner) wedding being accidentally booked on the same day and at the same venue!


Both bridal parties face preserving their families' special moments while adapting to the unexpectedly crowded space. This turn of events sets the stage for a humorous showdown between the father of the bride and the sister of the other bride, as they both go to great lengths to ensure their loved ones have an unforgettable celebration.


"You're Cordially Invited" follows the template of Nicholas Stoller's previous comedies. While this premise could have easily been dumbed down for a PG-13 fare, Stoller goes all out for this R-rated flick. It's always good to see Ferrell deliver an F-bomb, and he provides the goods here. Fans of Ferrell's comedy style will also enjoy tapping into physical comedy norms and hyperactive persona.


Initially, I thought Witherspoon was wrong for the role, but the Oscar winner won me over with her charm by the end of the film's first act. Witherspoon plays an LA-based driven career woman to a T, somewhat estranged from her Southern family. Some of Witherspoon's best moments involve the banter with her kinfolk.


The supporting cast has moments here and there, and I commend Stoller's script for avoiding the tropes of economic class for the sake of a joke. The gags do come in rapidly, and my audience was laughing so loud at some moments that I knew a few jokes were missed at my screening.


One aspect of the film that disappointed me was the predictable romantic pairing of the lead characters. Although I generally appreciate familiar clichés in storytelling, their relationship felt contrived and lacking in depth. This plot point felt especially jarring, as the script took an unusually long time to drop hints about their potential romance, making the eventual connection feel unearned and somewhat forced.


Nevertheless, as the old saying goes, "laughter is the best medicine," and seeing this with a regard boosted my mood. So in that regard, "You're Cordially Invited" is an RSVP worth accepting .


"You're Cordially Invited" arrives on Prime Video tomorrow.




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