My Big Fat Greek Wedding

It's not surprising that My Big Fat Greek Wedding grew more popular over the course of its US theatrical release (whereas most blockbusters open big and then drop precipitously)--not only does it have believable situations and engaging characters, but these characters (particularly our romantic heroine Toula, played by writer/performer Nia Vardalos) look like actual human beings instead of plastic movie stars. The result is the very accessible tale of a Greek-American (whose family sees her as over the hill at 30), who falls for a WASPy guy named Ian (John Corbett) and then has to endure the outrage, doubt, and ultimate acceptance of her deeply ethnically-centred family. The actors invest their wildly stereotypical portrayals with sincerity and compassion, giving the movie honest warmth instead of Hollywood schmaltz. But My Big Fat Greek Wedding ultimately succeeds because of Vardalos; with her intelligent, down-to-earth presence and charm carrying the film. --Bret Fetzer