YOU’RE CORDIALLY INVITED -- Fun, Familiar Comedy

Review by Adam Donato

Movies like this used to be released in theaters. You’re Cordially Invited is a classic comedy setup. Two weddings, one venue, one weekend, and hilarity ensues. This cliched story is given new life from writer/director Nicholas Stoller, who has been a reliable comedic filmmaker for two decades now. Speaking of reliability, Will Ferrell stars along with Reese Witherspoon as the representatives of the opposing wedding parties who are just trying to make this weekend the most magical it can possibly be. Amazon Prime regularly spits out these studio comedies that would normally be reliable box office bets, but are not given the time of day in theaters. Therefore they get forgotten in the void of streaming content. Does You’re Cordially Invited have the personality to make an impression on streaming audiences this weekend?

While You’re Cordially Invited isn’t a technical masterpiece, it does accomplish its job of providing consistent laughs. This is Ferrell’s funniest lead performance in over a decade. Not that this is close to prime Ferrell in the 2000’s though. It’s more that Ferrell has focused his efforts more on producing and supporting roles in the last decade. When he does choose to lead lately, he has fallen flat on his face so this movie is a cute return to form for the comedic legend. Coincidentally, this is also Witherspoon’s best leading role in a decade as she has also focused on producing and television roles. While Ferrell is only nine years older than No Witherspoon, this does feel like a mismatch of a couple here. Not a lot of chemistry between these two, but they’re at worst serviceable with each other and shine on their own. 

The film has a run time of 109 minutes and could use a shave down. The emotional and romantic beats in the film were underwhelming. Nobody is gonna shed a tear or fall in love because of this narrative. Therefore, the film could shed some of that weight and keep this simple story down to a tight ninety minutes. When the film isn’t trying to make you laugh, it kind of drags It's sweet enough, just nothing to write home about. 

There’s a prominent practical effect in the film that’s worth noting. While the scene is over the top ridiculous compared to the comedic tone of the rest of the film, the effect is pulled off quite nicely. It’s clear that the creature is some kind of puppet or animatronic, but has movements and texture that make it look as realistic as it can. This sequence may be where the film peaks comedically for some people, but it definitely feels like an excessive departure. This is much more of a situational comedy rather than a slapstick movie. 

It’s hard not to be romantic about a film like this. Two major movie stars teaming up together with a notable comedic director should be a lock at the box office. Seeing this Amazon Prime film at a press screening in a theater added to the experience. The audience was having a ball with the film and that won’t translate as well when you’re watching this film on streaming in the background. It’s trying to have heart and it’s genuinely funny throughout. A really good time for a movie and not a bad idea to flip on this Valentine’s Day season. 

​You’re Cordially Invited will be streaming on Amazon Prime on January 30.

Rating: 4/5