Name: The People We Hate at the Wedding
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2022-11-17T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Kristen Bell, Ben Platt, Allison Janney, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Dustin Milligan

The opening scene of The People We Hate at the Wedding is a whirlwind of familial dysfunction, setting the tone for Claire Scanlon’s 2022 romantic comedy. As siblings Alice (Kristen Bell) and Paul (Ben Platt) bicker over dinner with their mother Donna (Allison Janney), it’s clear that this family reunion will be anything but smooth sailing. Adapted from Grant Ginder’s novel by the Molyneux sisters, the film is a messy exploration of estrangement, forgiveness, and the complexities of family dynamics.

At its core, The People We Hate at the Wedding is about the Stevensons, a family that has spent years avoiding each other. Alice, an executive assistant having an affair with her married boss Jonathan, and Paul, a rehab center worker in a relationship with his neurotic partner Dominic (Karan Soni), are both struggling with their own issues. When their half-sister Eloise (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) invites them to her wedding in England, hoping to bridge the gap between them, the stage is set for a chaotic reunion.

What makes this film compelling is its exploration of family dynamics. The themes of estrangement and reconciliation are timely and relevant, resonating with anyone who has ever struggled with familial relationships. The film’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor and heart, making even the most dysfunctional moments feel authentic. However, the execution of these themes is where the film stumbles.

The performances in The People We Hate at the Wedding are a mixed bag. Allison Janney as Donna is the standout, bringing a layer of complexity to her role that makes her more than just a dysfunctional mother. Her scenes with Kristen Bell are some of the film’s highlights, as they navigate their strained relationship with a mix of humor and pathos. Cynthia Addai-Robinson also shines as Eloise, bringing a sense of warmth and genuine care that makes her character the emotional anchor of the film.

Kristen Bell delivers a solid performance but is given little to work with beyond the typical rom-com tropes. Her character, Alice, is often reduced to a series of clichés— the woman having an affair with a married man, the woman who lies to get what she wants. While Bell infuses Alice with a certain charm, the character lacks depth and development.

Ben Platt’s performance as Paul feels uneven. While he has his moments, particularly in scenes where he confronts his mother about their strained relationship, his character often comes across as whiny and unsympathetic. Platt’s portrayal of Paul’s struggles with his neurotic partner Dominic is somewhat compelling, but it’s overshadowed by the film’s tendency to paint Paul as the victim.

The film’s structure is another area of concern. The narrative juggles multiple subplots, from Alice’s affair with her married boss to Paul’s struggles with his neurotic partner Dominic. While these threads could have added depth, they often feel tacked on and underdeveloped. The pacing is erratic, with the film rushing from one dramatic moment to the next without allowing any of the emotional beats to resonate fully.

The comedy in The People We Hate at the Wedding is hit-or-miss. Some scenes, like Paul urinating on his stepfather’s shoes, are meant to be outrageous and funny but come across as forced and juvenile. The humor that lands tends to be more subtle, rooted in the characters’ interactions rather than slapstick or shock value. For example, the dynamic between Alice and Dennis (Dustin Milligan), a Nebraskan she meets on the plane, is genuinely amusing and adds a layer of complexity to her character.

Where the film does succeed is in its exploration of family dynamics. The themes of estrangement, forgiveness, and reconciliation are timely and relevant. The scene where Paul confronts his mother about her past actions is a standout moment, as it cuts through the chaos to reveal the heart of the story. This moment, along with others like Donna’s reunion with her ex-husband Henrique (Isaach de Bankolé), highlights the film’s strengths in balancing humor and emotional depth.

However, these moments are too few and far between. The film often gets bogged down in its own chaos, with subplots that feel unnecessary and characters that lack development. For instance, the subplot involving Alice and Dennis is intriguing but ultimately feels underutilized. Similarly, Paul’s relationship with Dominic is given limited screen time, making it difficult to invest in their dynamic.

The direction by Claire Scanlon is competent but unremarkable. While she manages to capture the film’s chaotic energy, she struggles to bring cohesion to the narrative. The film often feels like a series of loosely connected scenes rather than a cohesive whole. This lack of cohesion is particularly evident in the film’s third act, which rushes through its emotional beats without allowing them to fully resonate.

In terms of genre fit, The People We Hate at the Wedding strives to be a romantic comedy but often veers into dramatic territory. While this blend of genres can be effective, it feels disjointed here. The film’s attempts at humor are overshadowed by its more serious moments, making it difficult to find a consistent tone.

Comparing The People We Hate at the Wedding to other films in the genre, it falls short of the mark set by similar family-driven comedies like Little Miss Sunshine or Youth in Revolt. These films manage to balance humor and heart with a level of cohesion and emotional depth that The People We Hate at the Wedding lacks.

Ultimately, The People We Hate at the Wedding is a film that tries to do too much but ultimately falls short. It has moments of brilliance, particularly in its performances and thematic depth, but these are overshadowed by a cluttered narrative and uneven execution.