Like a wedding reception without hors d’oevres or an open bar, You’re Cordially Invited provides a decent time, but could’ve been so much better. Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon spark a worthy rivalry, even when the movie around them fails to consistently match their energy.
This premise is a lot of fun - a wedding venue on a small island getting double booked, leading to a heated rivalry between the father of one bride (Ferrell) and the sister of the other (Witherspoon). The first act is actually pretty strong, especially watching these two Hollywood icons throwing insults at each other as they attempt to navigate the mess they’re in. From there, however, the movie drags the premise out in ridiculous ways, where much of the conflict feels forced, or is totally ignored. For example, it’s established early on that there isn’t enough room for everyone to stay on the island, but apart from a few characters having to share a bathroom, it’s never really addressed.
Director Nicholas Stoller is no stranger to R-rated comedies, and really knows how to expertly drop an F-bomb at the perfect moment. That’s once again true here, and while not all of the situational comedy is successful, the foul-mouthed banter between characters is frequently funny. This is pretty standard fare for Ferrell, but watching Witherspoon match that same crudeness is immensely entertaining. The supporting cast is really strong too, including the always reliable Jack McBrayer, the infectiously charismatic Geraldine Viswanathan, and the comedically underrated Jimmy Tatro. It’s a really solid ensemble led by two A-listers, that truly helps to overcome the film’s narrative shortcomings.
Many of Stoller’s previous films balance raunchy comedy with sincere, heartfelt character beats. Clearly he’s aiming for that same tone here, but it’s never achieved. The end result contains a few “awww” moments, but a lot of the sincerity feels awkwardly tossed in, losing its overall effectiveness. It’s a movie that takes big comedic swings peppered with sparks of sweetness, but with a far more jarring line drawn between them. The balance he struck in films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Bros is notably absent here, leading to a bit of tonal whiplash.
Wondering if you should RSVP when You’re Cordially Invited premiers on Prime Video January 30th? The answer is a hesitant “maybe”. The premise, cast and director should’ve been a match made in heaven, but the result feels a little closer to a drunken Vegas elopement instead.
2.5/5
Review by: Benjamin Garrett