My Best Friend’s Wedding Parent Guide

Julia Roberts holds the star position in this romantic romp that holds more surprises than most “chick flics” of this era. Robert’s character, Julianne Potter, made a pact with her college ex-boyfriend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) that if both of them were still single at 28, they would marry each other. Now the years have passed, and weeks before their 28th birthdays, Michael calls. Expecting a proposal, Julianne isn’t sure how to let the guy down easy. But the surprise is on her when Michael announces he’s getting married—to someone else.

If you have ever gone through the feelings of not really wanting something until you’re told you can’t have it, you will relate closely with Julianne. She has only a couple of days left to figure out how to destroy Michael’s wedding plans so that she can replace Kimmy (Cameron Diaz), the bride, with herself. This leads to some very funny antics, most of which backfire. The pinnacle scene for me was when Julianne’s gay boss (Rupert Everett), masquerading as her boyfriend, gets an entire restaurant singing Dionne Warwick’s sixties hit, Say A Little Prayer.

Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something different happens. It’s the plot twists that help this film feel fresh and alive, unlike most romances of this nature. Even more interesting are the feelings the audience has for Julianne. We watch her attempts to thwart the marriage move from funny to ridiculous until finally her actions become downright manipulative.

Teenage girls will be the most likely group of young people attracted to this movie, however the humorous story has content that parents may not find funny. The classic sexual expletive is used once in a sexual context along with other minor profanities and innuendos. Sexual relationships before marriage are discussed and parents concerned with homosexual themes should note that a major male character portrays this lifestyle in a positive, although not sexually descriptive way.

If your teens decide to attend this wedding, it’s best if mom or dad escort them down the aisle.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.