Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Director:

Mike Newell

Writer:

Richard Curtis (written by)

Release Date:

9 March 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

He's quite engaging. She's otherwise engaged.

Plot:

Comedy-drama about a group of British friends... the title says the rest.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Wedding | Funeral | Hiding In Closet | Aristocracy

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 23 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Hugh Grant	...	Charles
James Fleet	...	Tom
Simon Callow	...	Gareth
John Hannah	...	Matthew
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Fiona
David Bower	...	David
Charlotte Coleman	...	Scarlett
Andie MacDowell	...	Carrie
Timothy Walker	...	Angus the Groom - Wedding One
Sara Crowe	...	Laura the Bride - Wedding One
Ronald Herdman	...	Vicar - Wedding One
Elspet Gray	...	Laura's Mother - Wedding One
Philip Voss	...	Laura's Father - Wedding One
Rupert Vansittart	...	George the Boor at The Boatman - Wedding One
Nicola Walker	...	Frightful Folk Duo - Wedding One
Paul Stacey	...	Frightful Folk Duo - Wedding One
Simon Kunz	...	John with the Unfaithful Wife - Wedding One
Rowan Atkinson	...	Father Gerald - Wedding Two
Robin McCaffrey	...	Serena - Wedding One
Michael Mears	...	The Boatman Waiter - Wedding One
Kenneth Griffith	...	Mad Old Man - Wedding One (as Kenneth Griffiths)
David Haig	...	Bernard the Groom - Wedding Two
Sophie Thompson	...	Lydia the Bride - Wedding Two
Corin Redgrave	...	Hamish - Wedding Two
Donald Weedon	...	Master of Ceremonies - Wedding Two
Nigel Hastings	...	Tea-Tasting Alistair - Wedding Two
Emily Morgan	...	Vomiting Veronica - Wedding Two
Amanda Mealing	...	Naughty Nicki - Wedding Two
Melissa Knatchbull	...	Mocking Martha - Wedding Two
Polly Kemp	...	Miss Piggy - Wedding Two
Anna Chancellor	...	Henrietta - Wedding Two
Hannah Taylor-Gordon	...	Young Bridesmaid - Wedding Two (as Hannah Taylor Gordon)
Bernice Stegers	...	Shop Assistant - Wedding Two
Robert Lang	...	Lord Hibbott - Wedding Two
Jeremy Kemp	...	Sir John Delaney - Wedding Two
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Mrs. Beaumont - Wedding Two
Ken Drury	...	Vicar - Wedding Three
Struan Rodger	...	Best Man - Wedding Three
Lucy Hornack	...	Married Woman - Wedding Three
Randall Paul	...	Chester - Wedding Three
Pat Starr	...	Gareth's Dance Partner - Wedding Three
Tim Thomas	...	Doctor - Wedding Three
Neville Phillips	...	Vicar - Funeral
Susanna Hamnett	...	Deirdre - Wedding Four
John Abbott	...	Polite Verger - Wedding Four
Richard Butler	...	Vicar - Wedding Four
David Wright	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Ray Uren	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Gordon Blackwell	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Ron Griffiths	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Richard Allen	...	Rock and Roll Band Member - Wedding One
Mark James	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Jason Bruer	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Simon Wallace	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Jason McDermid	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Bryn Burrows	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
Paulette Ivory	...	Swing Band Member - Wedding Two
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Christine Hewett	...	Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Juliette James	...	Bride's Mother (uncredited)
Duncan Kenworthy	...	Matthew's Gorgeous New Boyfriend (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Newell

Writing credits
Richard Curtis		(written by)

Produced by
Tim Bevan	....	executive producer
Richard Curtis	....	co-executive producer
Eric Fellner	....	executive producer
Duncan Kenworthy	....	producer

Original Music by
Richard Rodney Bennett

Cinematography by
Michael Coulter

Film Editing by
Jon Gregory

Casting by
Michelle Guish

Production Design by
Maggie Gray

Set Decoration by
Anna Pinnock

Costume Design by
Lindy Hemming

Makeup Department
Ann Buchanan	....	chief hair designer
Ann Buchanan	....	chief makeup artist
Francesca Crowder	....	hair stylist
Julia Fetterman	....	hair production assistant
Julia Fetterman	....	makeup production assistant
Melissa Lackersteen	....	assistant hair stylist
Melissa Lackersteen	....	assistant makeup artist
Tracey Lee	....	assistant hair stylist
Tracey Lee	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Mary Richards	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Oscar Beuselinck	....	third assistant director
Peter Freeman	....	co-second assistant director
Kieron Phipps	....	first assistant director
Trevor Puckle	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Dave Allen	....	construction
Paul Cheesman	....	dressing props
Ken Hawkey	....	stand-by painter
Charles Ixer	....	storeman (as Charlie Ixer)
Gary Ixer	....	stand-by propman
Simon J. Lycett	....	flowers
Brian Mitchell	....	stand-by stagehand
Con Murphy	....	stand-by rigger
Philip Robinson	....	assistant art director (as Phil Robinson)
Peter Wallis	....	dressing props
Tommy Westbrook	....	stand-by carpenter
Barry Wilkinson	....	property master
Jamie Wilkinson	....	dressing props
Simon Wilkinson	....	chargehand stand-by propman

Sound Department
Sue Baker	....	supervising sound editor
Gerry Bates	....	sound maintenance
Mick Boggis	....	assistant dubbing mixer
Nick Flowers	....	boom operator
Andrew Glen	....	foley editor
Diane Greaves	....	foley artist (as Dianne Greaves)
Derek Lomas	....	assistant sound editor
Peter Maxwell	....	dubbing mixer
Sarah Rains	....	assistant dialogue editor
Colin Ritchie	....	dialogue editor
Jupiter Sen	....	second dialogue editor
David Stephenson	....	production sound mixer
Jack Stew	....	foley artist

Special Effects by
Ian Wingrove	....	special effects supervisor

Visual Effects by
Peter Tyler	....	motion control camera

Stunts
Clive Curtis	....	stunt driver
Wendy Leech	....	stunt driver (as Wendy Leach)
Wayne Michaels	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Broome	....	camera grip
Vince Clarke	....	rigging gaffer
Jim Coward	....	generator operator (as Jimmy Coward)
Terry Edland	....	gaffer
Simon Finney	....	second assistant camera
Darren Gatrell	....	electrician (as Darren Gattrell)
Jeremy Gee	....	second camera operator
Peter Howard	....	camera trainee
Paul Kemp	....	electrician
Wayne Leach	....	best boy
Mark Milsome	....	clapper loader
Stephen Morley	....	still photographer
Chris Plevin	....	focus puller
Philip Sindall	....	camera operator
Malcolm Smith	....	second camera grip

Casting Department
Sarah Beardsall	....	casting assistant
David Rubin	....	casting: USA
Louis Elman	....	adr voice casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Nigel Egerton	....	wardrobe assistant
Odilon Rocha	....	wardrobe runner
Debbie Scott	....	assistant to costume designer
John Scott	....	wardrobe supervisor
Allison Wyldeck	....	wardrobe assistant (as Alison Wyldeck)
Dan Grace	....	additional wardrobe assistant (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Valentina Giambanco	....	second assistant editor
Ian Macbeth	....	editing jobfit
Ian Seymour	....	first assistant editor

Music Department
Dick Lewzey	....	score mixer
Dick Lewzey	....	score recordist
John Lunn	....	music researcher
Neil Richardson	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Mike Beaven	....	unit driver
Jed Bray	....	unit driver
David Carr	....	driver: mini-bus
Roy Clarke	....	unit driver
Ted Debrera	....	stand-by construction driver
Nick Heather	....	wardrobe bus driver
Tom Innes	....	stand-by property driver
Dave Jones	....	driver: trailers
Tony Marshall	....	driver: mini-bus
Enyo Mortty	....	unit driver (as Enyonam Mortty)
Martin O'Connor	....	driver: grip truck
John Ott	....	driver: camera truck
John Squires	....	driver: make-up/hair bus
Terry Stinson	....	driver: props runaround
Ian Clarke	....	vehicle technician (uncredited)
Stanley Sirkin	....	unit driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Chris Allies	....	title designer
Rosie Bedford-Stradling	....	unit nurse
Diane Christian	....	assistant accountant
Wendy Dade	....	assistant: Mr. Kenworthy
Justin Davies	....	production runner
Patsy de Lord	....	production coordinator
Juliette Dow	....	assistant to executive producers: Working Title
Wendy Ebsworth	....	consultant: sign-language
Leah Foley	....	stand-in
Jane Frazer	....	production executive: Working Title
Emma Freud	....	script editor
Vikki Gee-Dare	....	consultant: sign-language (as Vicki Gee Dare)
Marilyn Goldsworthy	....	cashier
Clare Greenwood	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Deborah Harding	....	production executive: Working Title
Debra Hayward	....	head of development: Working Title
Natasha Hudson	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Christian James	....	floor runner
Michael Kuhn	....	big cheese
Charlotte Laughton	....	assistant: Mr. Curtis
John Locke	....	stand-in
Andy Mayson	....	financial controller: Working Title
Christian McWilliams	....	assistant location manager
Angela Morrison	....	legal and business affairs: Working Title
Kevin O'Shea	....	insurance
Steve Pasmore	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Ruby Rawlins	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Steve Ricard	....	stand-in (as Steven Ricards)
Elaine Robertson	....	publicist
Julie Robinson	....	script supervisor
Kay Robinson	....	assistant: Mr. Kenworthy
Amber Rudd	....	aristocracy coordinator
George Schembri	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Paul Shersby	....	location manager
Caroline Southey	....	legal and business affairs: Working Title
Jon Symonds	....	caterer: Busters on Location
Michele Tandy	....	production accountant
Natascha Wharton	....	assistant to executive producers: Working Title
Steven M. Smith	....	runner (uncredited)

Thanks
Clive Banks	....	thanks
Claire Christie	....	thanks (as Clare Christie)
John Fishlock	....	thanks
Toni Gard	....	thanks: assistance with Ms. MacDowell's wardrobe
Alison O'Brien	....	thanks
John Reid	....	thanks
Kathryn Smith	....	thanks
Stewart Till	....	thanks
Mark Wolfe	....	thanks

Production Companies

• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (presents)
• Channel Four Films (presents)
• Working Title Films

Distributors

• Gramercy Pictures (I) (1994) (USA) (theatrical)
• Pan Européenne Distribution (1994) (France) (theatrical)
• REP Distribution (1994) (Australia) (theatrical)
• J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (1994) (UK) (theatrical)
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Distribution (1994) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Prooptiki (199?) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Ufilms (1994) (Spain) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1996) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (199?) (Australia) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (199?) (UK) (VHS)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Distribution Company (video)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (199?) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (199?) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (1994) (UK) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (199?) (UK) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (1994) (USA) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• PolyGram Video (199?) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Prooptiki Video (Greece) (VHS)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (199?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Vídeo Arte (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Angels & Bermans  costumiers
• Busters on Location  catering
• Capital FX, London  subtitling
• Capital FX, London  titles and opticals
• D&D Transport  location transport
• De Lane Lea Sound Centre  post-production facilities
• De Lane Lea Sound Centre  sound recording
• Dennis Davidson & Associates Public Releations (DDA)  public relations consulting
• Hills of Hersham  crowd coaches/crew minibuses
• International Film Guarantors  completion guaranty
• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment
• Location Facilities  location transport
• London Records  soundtrack
• Louis Vuitton  thanks
• Movietech  camera equipment provided by
• RHH/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance
• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services
• Shepperton Studios  movie studio
• Tru-Cut  negative cutting

Also Known As:

Cuatro bodas y un funeral (Argentina) (Mexico) (Peru) (Spain) [es]
Fyra bröllop och en begravning (Finland: Swedish title) (Sweden) [sv]
Quatre mariages et un enterrement (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Quatro Casamentos E Um Funeral (Brazil) (Portugal) [pt]
Vier Hochzeiten und ein Todesfall (Germany) (Switzerland: German title) [de]
Arba Hatunot V'Levaya Ahat (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]
Cztery wesela i pogrzeb (Poland) [pl]
Fire bryllup og en gravferd (Norway) (TV title) [no]
Négy esküvö és egy temetés (Hungary) [hu]
Neljät häät ja yhdet hautajaiset (Finland) [fi]
Quatre bodes i un funeral (Spain: Catalan title) [ca]
Quattro matrimoni e un funerale (Italy) [it]
Tesseris gamoi kai mia kideia (Greece) [el]

MPAA:

Rated R for language, and for some sexuality.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | British Sign Language

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:6 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Iceland:L | Brazil:14 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Singapore:PG (original rating) (cut) | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 (TV rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-10 | Germany:6 | Norway:10 | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | France:U | Portugal:M/12 (original rating) | Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Albury Park, Guildford, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

The first British film to win a Cesar - the French equivalent of the Oscar. It won for Best Foreign Film and Best Original Screenplay.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: At the second wedding, Charles and Scarlet are depicted as sprinting to the church from their house. They live in Highbury and the church in the EC2 area of London - a distance of almost three miles which - whilst not impossible - is improbable.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Charles: [wakes up and looks at his bedside clock] Oh... *fuck*! Fuck!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 'Billy Elliot': Breaking Free (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

STAND BY YOUR MAN

Rich In Story and Characters

The effects of personal want, need, love and desire on the friendships of a circle of eclectic individuals is examined with a spot of humor in the witty, clever and oh-so-British comedy of love, romance and finding that special someone, `Four Weddings and a Funeral,' directed by Mike Newell. Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell head a delightful ensemble cast in this story of a group of long-time friends, all single, who watch and participate over a period of months as one by one those amongst them step up at last to the altar. Of them all, Charles (Grant) seems the most likely-- and at the same time the least likely-- to be next. Young, handsome and charismatic, Charles has no problem developing a relationship (he's had a number, in fact, as we learn in one particularly hilarious scene), but sustaining one is seemingly beyond his grasp. Until, at the wedding of one of his friends, he meets Carrie (MacDowell), an American, and she quickly enchants him. It is not the end of the story, however; for Charles, Carrie and the audience, it's only-- as they say-- the beginning.

Set in contemporary England, one of the aspects of this film that makes it so engaging is the propriety with which the humor is presented. Refreshingly subtle, there's more of Noel Coward than Tom Green or Rob Schneider to it; a matter of manners, mores and innuendo taking precedence over gross-out, in-your-face, shock schlock humor. And though Grant and MacDowell are at the forefront of the piece, Newell does an excellent job of developing all of the characters, succinctly supplying enough detail to each individual to give the film some depth and dimension, without having to actually go too deep. He never lets you forget that first and foremost, this is a comedy. There's some insight provided, but this is not an in-depth commentary on human nature, though there are some overtones and implications in that direction (Charles is always late to the weddings, for example; perhaps a subconscious denial of the impending nuptials?). Most importantly, the characterizations are rich, and the story is involving and presented with an even flow that allows you to effortlessly be swept away with it.

Certain actors make a career out of playing a variation of the same character in film after film, striving for that definitive portrayal. W.C. Fields played the hen-pecked husband in a number of films, finally perfecting that particular character in the person of Harold Bissonette in `It's A Gift.' For Hugh Grant, it's the retiring, somewhat self-conscious and stammering, eyelid fluttering charmer, of which he's done a variation in such films as `Sense and Sensibility,' `The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill, But Came Down A Mountain,' Notting Hill' and `Mickey Blue Eyes.' But Charles is his definitive portrayal of that character, the one in which he achieves the balance and honesty that makes the character so believable. It's a good bit of work by Grant, and definitely one of his most memorable performances.

Andie MacDowell, meanwhile, gives a rather composed performance as Carrie, the quiet American with a reserved bluntness who captivates Charles. MacDowell brings a sense of quietude to the role that is sensuously seductive, which lends credibility to Charles' infatuation with her. It's a role for which MacDowell is perfectly suited, as it allows her to play effectively to her naturally calm demeanor and exquisite beauty and femininity.

In a part that has to be an actor's dream, Simon Callow is absolutely exuberant as Gareth, one of the fixtures of Charles' circle of friends. More than just an effervescent character, Gareth is something of the conscience of the film, laughing away and laying bare any and all pretense or hypocrisy like a modern day flesh-and-blood Spirit of Christmas Present. It's a character that gives needed balance and perspective to the film, and he's wonderfully played by Callow.

Also turning in especially noteworthy performances are John Hannah as Matthew; Kristin Scott Thomas, who is quite alluring as Fiona; James Fleet as Tom, a character very reminiscent of his Hugo in the TV series `The Vicar of Dibley,' (and very effective here); Charlotte Coleman, memorable in the role of Scarlett; and Rowan Atkinson as the hapless Father Gerald.

Rounding out the supporting cast are David Bower (David), Timothy Walker (Angus), Sara Crowe (Laura), Anna Chancellor (Henrietta), Simon Kunz (John), David Haig (Bernard), Sophie Thompson (Lydia Jane) and Corin Redgrave (Hamish). There's enough twists and turns along the way to keep this film unpredictable, including one scene near the end that initially seems so mean-spirited that it may have you biting your fist and crying, `Oh, NO!' But, not to worry, Newell provides an instant resolution consistent with the rest of the film, and it not only works but gets a good laugh to boot. Entertaining, pleasant and funny, `Four Weddings and a Funeral' makes for a satisfying, feel-good cinematic experience that just seems so wonderfully civilized amid the seemingly endless rancor abounding in our world today. It's what's known as the magic of the movies. I rate this one 9/10.