Would-be bride Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan) and her father Jim (Will Ferrell) discover their dream wedding venue has been double booked for another bride Neve (Meredith Hagner) and her wedding-planner sister Margot (Reese Witherspoon), with hilarious consequences.

In the vibrant world of wedding comedies, You’re Cordially Invited stands out as a delightful romp that delivers laughter in spades. Directed by Nicholas Stoller, this Prime Video gem pairs the comedic talents of Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell, resulting in a film that’s both heartwarming and hilariously chaotic. The narrative centres on an unfortunate double-booking: two weddings scheduled at the same picturesque venue on the same day. Ferrell embodies Jim, the quintessential well-meaning, slightly overbearing father, eager to see his daughter Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan) wed her DJ fiancé, Oliver (Stony Blyden). Opposite him, Witherspoon shines as Margot, a meticulous and high-powered TV producer, orchestrating her sister Neve’s (Meredith Hagner) nuptials to her stripper fiancé, Dixon (Jimmy Tatro). The clash between Jim’s affable nature and Margot’s corporate precision sets the stage for a series of comedic mishaps.

The chemistry between Ferrell and Witherspoon is brilliant, with their characters’ contrasting personalities leading to uproarious confrontations. Jim’s earnest attempts to bond with Margot are met with her exasperation, culminating in scenes that lead to all kinds of chaotic hilarity. One standout moment involves an ill-fated father-daughter dance that spirals into a comedic-cringe-worthy disaster, showcasing the film’s knack for blending humour with heartfelt moments.

Supporting performances further elevate the film. Viswanathan captures the essence of a Gen-Z bride overwhelmed by wedding planning, while Hagner’s portrayal of Neve, who is now ‘showing’ and is determined to wed before her conservative family discovers her shock pregnancy, adds depth to the ensemble. Leanne Morgan also steals scene after scene as Margot and Neve’s vivacious cousin Gwyneth, a thoroughly Southern belle who infuses the film with her signature charm and wit. Stoller’s direction ensures a brisk pace, with each scene seamlessly transitioning into the next, keeping audiences engaged throughout. The screenplay is peppered with sharp dialogue and situational humour, from a sunset vow showdown to Jim’s unexpected encounter with an alligator, each incident escalating the comedic tension.

You’re Cordially Invited is a testament to the enduring appeal of well-executed romantic comedies. With stellar performances, sharp writing, and a storyline that balances humour with heart, it’s a film that invites viewers to laugh, relate, and perhaps even shed a tear.

Image: Prime Video

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After believing they are about to be killed by an avalanche during a family ski vacation in the Alps, a married couple is thrown into disarray as they are forced to reevaluate their lives and how they feel about each other.

Best described as a ‘thinking man’s’ comedy, Downhill is a savage, satirical critique of modern marriage and the rifts that can form between partners in our modern world. Directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, bring new energy to their adaptation of Force Majeure, a Swedish film from director Ruben Östlund which was regarded as a festival darling. Here, Faxon and Rash, dig at the boiling tension and unresolved afflictions of married couple Billie and Pete Staunton, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell, who after suffering a near-death experience in their family, finds that any kind of family unison is suddenly thrown out the window in disarray and all that is left is an uncertain and chaotic landscape that leads to some very interesting viewing for audiences.  Faxon and Rash play up the chaos of this marriage gone astray and the result is incredibly interesting to watch.

Standing front and centre in Downhill is Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Billie Staunton, and she completely owns this movie. Louis-Dreyfus’s Billie is an over-worked control freak who after suffering through this freak occurrence with her husband Pete (Will Ferrell) begins to lose it with him, and it’s from here that things start to get interesting. What starts out as a misunderstanding soon turns into a fight and then becomes a game of silence and isolation as it appears that this couple may not have been as close as they ever thought they were. Louis-Dreyfus pushes in on Ferrell and her bossiness shines through in her performance as she goes at it with her husband.

Next to Louis-Dreyfus is Will Ferrell as her husband Pete and Ferrell mixes it up here with this character. While he once again channels his normal ‘beta male’, slightly loser-husband character, what’s fun with Pete is that he doesn’t contain his emotions and he becomes the more over-the-top of the two characters. Ferrell has a great flow for performance alongside Louis-Dreyfus and even though this is a film about two people falling apart from one another, you can easily tell that each character aids the other in bringing out a stronger performance. Downhill also allows for Ferrell to get brutally honest as a character, something I haven’t seen him do before as an actor, which is a terrific way for him to break away from his usual comedic routine and invest in some quality drama with this performance.

While both Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell are both terrific in Downhill, if this film does have a scene-stealer then it is most certainly Miranda Otto as the completely forward Charlotte. In her role as the concierge of their hotel, Charlotte is there to make sure things are perfectly comfortable for the Staunton’s and she quickly showcases how open and flirty she is with both Billie and Pete. Otto’s Charlotte is best described as filterless, and with her aggressive sexuality and ‘go-time’ personality, she’s certainly out for a party, and her actions don’t help Billie and Pete towards any kind of reconciliation thanks to all the temptations that she puts in their way.

If you’re looking for some laughs that will sneak up on you then Downhill makes for a perfect watch. Its comedy is unexpected in the best way and its ending will make you think and ponder on just exactly what the future holds for Billie and Pete.

Images: 20th Century Studios

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If you’re looking for a bit of laugh-out-loud comedy then you’ve come to the right place with Daddy’s Home 2. I was a huge fan of the original film and was more than excited for the sequel. Returning director Sean Anders certainly knows how to push the buttons of Wahlberg and Ferrell, and he’s taken both of them in a terrific direction with the film’s sequel. Part of what makes a sequel great in my opinion is that characters grow, and this is especially true of Dusty and Brad. Wahlberg’s Dusty is a lot more laid-back this time around, and Brad is ever-so-slightly more masculine (but only a little).

But all of this changes when their own Dad’s arrive.

While Wahlberg might have been in peak alpha male form in Daddy’s Home, he’s got nothing on Mel Gibson’s Kurt Mayron. This former astronaut and all-around womaniser is a grad-A prick and really socks it to his adult son for plenty of laughs. Old Mel doesn’t take to fondly to his son’s ‘co-Dad; lifestyle and throws plenty of shade at Wahlberg.

Then there’s John Lithgow as Brad’s dad Don Whittaker. If you’re looking for a snowflake, well you’ve found it with Don. This big’ol softee is a bit of a nincompoop, and well he brings out Brad’s more pathetic attributes as a result. Lithgow really lets loose with Don and his cringe-worthy behaviour, which includes full-lip kissing with his adult son, and you’ll find yourself crying with laughter.

Did I mention that Daddy’s Home 2 is packed out with comedy? Yep. There’s plenty of it, and without giving anything away I have to mention that Ferrell and Lithgow lead the way. Some of my favourite moments include Lithgow’s ‘wolf experience’ and Ferrell’s Christmas tree shopping. Trust me, you’ll howl with laughter. And while inevitable jealousies arise, it’s not just the daddy’s who are taking part this time. That’s right Linda Cardellini and Alessandra Ambrosio wage their own step-parent war, and their constant bickering it pretty hilarious to watch.

I also have to mention John Cena, who is Dusty’s mortal enemy Roger, and who continues to showcase his wild comedy talent. Again not giving too much away let’s just say Cena has real range and he can definitely carry a note.

Sometimes with a film, you just need something simple and completely over-the-top. Well, that’s exactly what Daddy’s Home 2 does and the holiday season will be a whole lot funnier for it.

Image: Paramount Pictures 

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