You’re Cordially Invited – A Pedestrian Comedy (Early Review)

You’re Cordially Invited sees Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon together onscreen for the very first time. From writer/director Nicholas Stoller, when two weddings are accidentally booked on the same day at the same venue, each bridal party is challenged with preserving their family’s special moment while making the most of the tight quarters and unanticipated mishap. In a battle of determination and grit, the father of the bride Jim (Ferrell) of one wedding party and the sister of the bride Margot (Witherspoon) from the other wedding party go head-to-head as they stop at nothing to uphold an unforgettable celebration for their loved ones. Despite the heap of talent both in front of and behind the camera, the result is a disappointingly dull, pedestrian comedy that, at the end of the day, is another formulaic streaming release destined to disappear into obscurity shortly after dropping.

Stoller, one of the most consistent and solid directors in comedy filmmaking since the late 2000’s, has failed to make a bad film but there’s just something different about his latest effort. Lacking his signature style, the film lacks energy where it desperately needs it and feels like it could have been directed by any filmmaker. However, the biggest disappointment of all is that, for a Stoller film and a comedy in general, it is not very funny and the few laughs it does offer are in very short supply. While a film with this premise and with the talent on both sides of the camera, it should have been such a layup. Though for whatever reason, its humor misses more often than not and the “whacky” situations its characters keep getting themselves into just aren’t all that funny. Similarly, the film’s characters themselves aren’t very likeable and seemingly only exist to make poor decisions intended to sabotage others, while its moments of heart feel so forced and manufactured as its final act enters schmaltzy territory.

In terms of performances, Ferrell and Witherspoon are their reliable selves and have decent chemistry with one another. That being said, they’ve both been far better countless times before and can’t quite provide the kind of jolt the film so desperately needs. Meanwhile, it also boasts a stacked supporting cast, but none are given nearly enough to do and it essentially strands some very funny people. Big names such as Viswanathan (Jenni), Jimmy Tatro (Dixon), Meredith Hagner (Neve), and Jack McBrayer (Leslie), are saddled with thankless roles that give them little opportunity to show off their many talents. Also working against the film is the fact that there is no reason why it had to be 109-minutes long as it does start to drag, starting in the second half. But all things considered, it is still far from a terrible film with some redeeming qualities. Living in a sort of middle ground between good and bad, it simply exists, which some might consider an even worse fate than if the film itself had just been straight up bad.

Ultimately, those who go into You’re Cordially Invited with very low expectations, unless they are fans of either Ferrell or Witherspoon, are sure to have an okay time with this one. Otherwise, most other viewers will find it to be yet another forgettable streaming release that will cease to be relevant as soon as the credits begin to roll. All in all, given the cast and crew assembled and all the confidence that was shown towards the film prior to its release, it should have at least been better than it was.

still courtesy of Prime Video

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Connor Carey

www.connorsmoviereviews.com/