Thursday Movie Picks: Meet The Parents
In a relationship there are few things as nerve wracking as meeting your partner's parents for the first time. You've probably been there. You want them to like you, but how do you know you can be yourself right away? Will you get lucky? This week, Wanderer wants us to talk about movies where the characters have to do just that. I was excited for this week because I get to talk about one big hit, and two little seen films that I enjoyed.
1) Lilting
Ben Winshaw plays a man who's Chinese/Cambodian boyfriend dies, and he meets his lover's mother. She's also grieving, but they don't speak the same language and she didn't know of their relationship. It's a very quiet and beautiful film.
2) The Big Sick
I'm sure everyone saw this last year. Kumail Nanjiani details meeting his now wife's parents for the first time while she falls into a coma. This was a great film and I'm still so happy they got an Oscar nomination for writing.
3) The Greatest
This film is admittedly pretty cliched, but I just adored it. Carey Mulligan plays a teenager who finds out that she's pregnant after her boyfriend is killed. With nowhere to go, she approaches his parents, whom she hadn't met before.
1) Lilting
Ben Winshaw plays a man who's Chinese/Cambodian boyfriend dies, and he meets his lover's mother. She's also grieving, but they don't speak the same language and she didn't know of their relationship. It's a very quiet and beautiful film.
2) The Big Sick
I'm sure everyone saw this last year. Kumail Nanjiani details meeting his now wife's parents for the first time while she falls into a coma. This was a great film and I'm still so happy they got an Oscar nomination for writing.
3) The Greatest
This film is admittedly pretty cliched, but I just adored it. Carey Mulligan plays a teenager who finds out that she's pregnant after her boyfriend is killed. With nowhere to go, she approaches his parents, whom she hadn't met before.
I've been wary of The Big Sick, just the title gave me pause but I'm sure I'll see it eventually. I'm unfamiliar with the other two but I'm intrigued by both particularly the Carey Mulligan film. Love her.
ReplyDeleteI went lighter with mine choosing all comedies.
Lovers and Other Strangers (1970)-As young couple Mike and Susan (Michael Brandon & Bonnie Bedelia) go through their wedding festivities (rehearsal, ceremony and reception) a cauldron of familial lunacy swirls around them as they meet for the first time. VERY 70’s fashions and interior design is offset by a cast that includes Beatrice Arthur, Cloris Leachman, Gig Young, Anne Meara and in her screen debut Diane Keaton.
The In-Laws (1979)-Nebbishy dentist Sheldon Kornpett (Alan Arkin) finds himself with major reservations to his daughter's upcoming marriage after meeting her future father-in-law, Vincent Ricardo (Peter Falk). At first thinking Vince is mobbed up he is no less distressed when Vince reveals that he's actually a CIA agent investigating an international counterfeiting plot, and that he will need Sheldon's help. Next thing he knows Sheldon is off on a crazy adventure.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)-Toula (Nia Vardalos) is a sweet, somewhat frumpy 30ish Greek girl who works in her family’s restaurant and is dominated by her parents. Frustrated by being stuck in place she pulls herself together, goes to work in her aunt’s travel agency and meets school teacher Ian Miller (John Corbett) and they quickly get serious. That’s where the trouble starts since Ian isn’t Greek, no problem for Toula but a huge one for her family especially when they decide to marry. Her boisterous clan basically take over the title event while Toula and Ian try to stand up against the onslaught. Low budget good natured comedy with a sunny outlook made a mint on its release.
I definitely recommend The Big Sick, I loved it. I'm 0/3 with your picks this week, even though I feel like I probably should have seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding by now.
DeleteI have not seen any of these but all sound quite good especially the first one. Thanks for bringing these to my attention:)
ReplyDeleteIf you can find them I hope you like them!
DeleteThe Big Sick is an amazing pick. I can't believe I didn't come up with that one. I've heard about The Greatest as it's from the same director who did ugh... Country Strong so no thanks.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of Lilting but I do like Ben Whishaw as I'm adding it to my watchlist.
Oh many that guy did Country Strong? I did not know that lol. I'm sure Greatest is better.
DeleteActually, it was a woman who did both of those films as she also directed that awful remake of Endless Love.
DeleteI went to educate myself on this director and I see Endless Love has Alex Pettyfer in it so hard pass.
DeleteI think I was one who recomended Lilting to you :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful film.
You probably were. I loved it. Thank you! :)
DeleteOoh, i have no idea about the other two, but the one we matched this week, I approve of! :D
ReplyDeleteThey're good!
DeleteI've never heard of Lilting but it sounds interesting and I really like Winshaw. I'll definitely check it out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it!
DeleteHave not heard of the first one. Still have not seen The Big Sick but want too. The Greatest is the only one I've seen, I don't remember much of it anymore, but I think I did like it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy The Big Sick!
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