Why My Best Friend's Wedding Remains a Timeless, Feel-Good Romcom Classic
For many of us who spent our formative years in the 90s, when romcoms were at their most vibrant and over-the-top, My Best Friend's Wedding still holds up as one of the most iconic, entertaining, and emotionally resonant films of that era. Released in 1997, PJ Hogan's masterpiece has aged remarkably well, retaining its lighthearted charm, witty dialogue, and memorable characters.
Julianne (played by Julia Roberts) is the quintessential, slightly unhinged best friend who finds herself caught up in a complex web of emotions when her college sweetheart Michael (Dermot Mulroney) announces his engagement to a woman half her age. As Julianne's jealousy gradually gives way to love for her former flame, she embarks on a series of increasingly manic attempts to sabotage the wedding and win him back.
Roberts shines as the unpredictable and charismatic Julianne, imbuing her character with a depth and nuance that makes it impossible not to root for her. Alongside her is a talented supporting cast, including Cameron Diaz as Kimmy, Michael's bubbly but vulnerable fiancée; Rupert Everett as George, Julianne's exasperated editor who becomes an unlikely confidant; and Burt Bacharach classics that add to the film's nostalgic appeal.
One of the key reasons My Best Friend's Wedding remains a standout in the romcom genre is its refusal to rely on tired tropes or clichés. The film's central conceit – a female best friend trying to win back her former love at the altar – has been revisited many times since, but Hogan's clever script and deft direction make it feel fresh and original.
What sets My Best Friend's Wedding apart from other romcoms is its willingness to subvert expectations and challenge traditional notions of love and relationships. Julianne's descent into chaos is both hilarious and heartbreakingly relatable, as she struggles to reconcile her feelings for Michael with her loyalty to their friendship pact. The film's message – that sometimes, the most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself – feels both timely and timeless.
The movie's tone is expertly balanced between comedy and drama, with a healthy dose of absurdity thrown in for good measure. Who can forget the iconic scene where Julianne and Michael share an intimate moment with an ice sculpture of Michelangelo's David? Or the hilarious sing-along lunch featuring dancing lobster claws?
In the end, My Best Friend's Wedding is a true feel-good film that will leave you smiling long after the credits roll. Its flawed but lovable characters, witty dialogue, and unforgettable performances make it a must-watch for anyone who loves romcoms or just needs a good laugh.
If you're due for a nostalgic fix, My Best Friend's Wedding is available to rent digitally in the US and UK and on Stan in Australia – so go ahead and indulge in this delightful, over-the-top classic that still steals hearts today.
For many of us who spent our formative years in the 90s, when romcoms were at their most vibrant and over-the-top, My Best Friend's Wedding still holds up as one of the most iconic, entertaining, and emotionally resonant films of that era. Released in 1997, PJ Hogan's masterpiece has aged remarkably well, retaining its lighthearted charm, witty dialogue, and memorable characters.
Julianne (played by Julia Roberts) is the quintessential, slightly unhinged best friend who finds herself caught up in a complex web of emotions when her college sweetheart Michael (Dermot Mulroney) announces his engagement to a woman half her age. As Julianne's jealousy gradually gives way to love for her former flame, she embarks on a series of increasingly manic attempts to sabotage the wedding and win him back.
Roberts shines as the unpredictable and charismatic Julianne, imbuing her character with a depth and nuance that makes it impossible not to root for her. Alongside her is a talented supporting cast, including Cameron Diaz as Kimmy, Michael's bubbly but vulnerable fiancée; Rupert Everett as George, Julianne's exasperated editor who becomes an unlikely confidant; and Burt Bacharach classics that add to the film's nostalgic appeal.
One of the key reasons My Best Friend's Wedding remains a standout in the romcom genre is its refusal to rely on tired tropes or clichés. The film's central conceit – a female best friend trying to win back her former love at the altar – has been revisited many times since, but Hogan's clever script and deft direction make it feel fresh and original.
What sets My Best Friend's Wedding apart from other romcoms is its willingness to subvert expectations and challenge traditional notions of love and relationships. Julianne's descent into chaos is both hilarious and heartbreakingly relatable, as she struggles to reconcile her feelings for Michael with her loyalty to their friendship pact. The film's message – that sometimes, the most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself – feels both timely and timeless.
The movie's tone is expertly balanced between comedy and drama, with a healthy dose of absurdity thrown in for good measure. Who can forget the iconic scene where Julianne and Michael share an intimate moment with an ice sculpture of Michelangelo's David? Or the hilarious sing-along lunch featuring dancing lobster claws?
In the end, My Best Friend's Wedding is a true feel-good film that will leave you smiling long after the credits roll. Its flawed but lovable characters, witty dialogue, and unforgettable performances make it a must-watch for anyone who loves romcoms or just needs a good laugh.
If you're due for a nostalgic fix, My Best Friend's Wedding is available to rent digitally in the US and UK and on Stan in Australia – so go ahead and indulge in this delightful, over-the-top classic that still steals hearts today.
i mean julia roberts is just iconic as ever 
her character julianne is soooo relatable u feel like u would do the same thing if ur bestie was gonna get married to someone u just cant deal with 
and cameron diaz as kimmy is EVERYTHING 
rupert everett as george tho, that guy is just the best 
... just kidding! I'm actually kinda surprised how well My Best Friend's Wedding has held up over the years. It's always been one of those films that you could quote lines from to this day, and it's still got a lot of charm. But I'm not convinced it's as timeless as everyone makes out 
... don't get me wrong, Julia Roberts is amazing in it, but I think some of the jokes feel a bit dated. And what's up with the "ice sculpture of Michelangelo's David" scene? 
. My Best Friend's Wedding is one of those movies that'll always make me laugh and feel all the feels. Julia Roberts is perfection as Julianne - she's so crazy, I love her! And can we talk about how iconic that ice sculpture scene is? 
I've rewatched this film at least 5 times and I still can't get enough!
julia roberts is just perfection as julianne her crazy antics are so relatable but also super funny i love how the movie balances comedy and drama it never feels too cheesy or forced. and can we talk about that iconic scene with michelangelo's david? 
. I mean, I love Cameron Diaz as Kimmy, but come on! The movie's been out for like 28 years, can't we have a decent nostalgia section with better quality? And those dancing lobster claws? Still cringy 
. But hey, at least it's still funny and lighthearted, even if the romcom genre has changed so much since the 90s. I'm all for watching some old-school Julia Roberts shenanigans 
Still get chills thinking about Julia Roberts' iconic performance as Julianne 
The movie's message about self-love and acceptance feels just as relevant today as it did back in 1997 
Anyway, I'm so glad this film is still widely available to stream 
. What I love most about Julianne's character is how she's not just a one-dimensional "damsel in distress" trope, but rather a multidimensional character with flaws and quirks that make her relatable 
and how they have a flavor called 'Love Potion' 
I mean, can you imagine being able to just grab someone and kiss them without any of the awkwardness or uncertainty? 
But then again, sometimes those awkward moments are what make relationships interesting... or so I've heard 
!
. Plus, the supporting cast is fire! I'm obsessed w/ Cameron Diaz's quirky character Kimmy - she's like, the perfect combo of sweet & sassy 
.
, but I gotta say, the 20yr age gap between her and Dermot Mulroney's character does kinda feel off... idk, maybe it's just me 
.
Cameron Diaz as Kimmy? ICONIC 
Go watch it now and get ready for a good laugh and some serious feels 
.