Muriel's Wedding
Some movies you can just watch over and over. Muriel's Wedding is such a film.
This is the story of a ‘battler.” "Battler" is an emotionally charged Australian term, referring to someone (usually, but not exclusively, of the working class) who struggles continually and with great perseverance against heavy odds. Such is the life of Muriel (Toni Collette of "Connie & Carla") and thus begins her escape from small town Porpoise Spit and its dull, dreary existence to the fairy tale wedding of her dreams. Ah, but do fairy tales come true?
This movie is moving, funny, dark, sad and ultimately redeeming. But then life can be quite complicated. It is not until Muriel's search for self-esteem through getting married starts to collapse, that a true sense of her self-worth begins to emerge.
My favorite scene is where one of the "pretty" girls is amazed that Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths) would pick the ever plain and chubby Muriel over the former beauty queen and her coven. This results in perhaps one of the best movie lines ever - Tania's hoarse and affronted shriek of "But, I'm beautiful . . ."
In a world where it seems pretty girls get whatever they want, Muriel learns the truth and discovers herself along the way. She finds her own strength and beauty from within. And for all you closeted “Dancing Queens” there is a special ABBA tribute you won’t want to miss.
Goodbye, Porpoise Spit!