Muriel's Wedding

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Muriel's Wedding ★★★ 1994 (R)

Muriel (Collette) can catch a bridal bouquet, but can she catch a husband? Her blonde, bitch-goddess friends don't think so. But dowdy, pathetic, overweight Muriel dreams of a fairy tale wedding anyway. How she fulfills her obsessive fantasy is the basis for this quirky, hilarious, and often touchingly poignant ugly duckling tale with the occasional over-the-top satiric moment. Strong cast is led by sympathetic and engaging performances from Collette (who gained 40-plus pounds for the role) and Griffiths as her best friend, Rhonda. ‘70s pop supergroup ABBA lends its kitschy but catchy tunes to the plot and soundtrack. Not released in the U.S. until 1995. 105m/C VHS, DVD . AU Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths, Jeanie Drynan, Gennie Nevinson Brice, Matt(hew) Day, Daniel Lapaine, Sophie Lee, Rosalind Hammond, Belinda Jarrett; D: P.J. Hogan; W: P.J. Hogan; C: Martin McGrath; M: Peter Best. Australian Film Inst. ‘94: Actress (Collette), Film, Sound, Support. Actress (Griffiths).