My Big Fat Greek Wedding -- Introduction

Have you ever been embarrassed by your family?

By the overwhelming acceptance of this lovable flick, it is clear most of us can relate to the humiliation that is most painful when it comes from the quirky behaviors of our family members. Showcasing the most awkward moments possible involving a culture clash, this film is ripe with hilarious moments from start to finish.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is the highest growing independent film to date, and the 5th highest grossing film overall for the year 2002. It brought in a whopping $241 million at the box office. The writer, Nia Vardolos, also starred in the film as Toula Portocoulas opposite Hollywood hunk, John Corbett, as Ian Miller.

Some of the most humorous and memorable moments of this picture include the moment when Ian and Toula make meaningful eye contact and smile at one another for the first time. He walks back and forth in front of the travel agency where she works. Walking like a chicken to make her laugh, with his eyes glued on Toula, he bumps into an elderly lady who immediately begins beating him with her purse. Then, when he walks into the travel agency to introduce himself, she clotheslines herself with the phone headset.

It is romantic slapstick at its finest.

Later on in the film, we are more than amused when Toula’s brother Nick teaches Ian some phrases in Greek. When Ian asks how to say “Thank you” Nick teaches him a phrase which he dutifully repeats to his future mother-in-law. “Nice boobs” is what he unknowingly says, and Maria promptly smacks her son upside the head.

Never tiring of the ruse, Nick tells Ian at a large family gathering to call everyone into the house for dinner using a Greek sentence. Onto his plan, Ian calls Cousin Angelo over to confirm what the phrase means. Angelo verifies it means “Come into the house everyone, it is time for dinner.” However, when Ian confidently shouts out the announcement, everyone dissolves into laughter. What he has said is, “I have three testicles.”