“Jenny Farrell has led an openly gay life – except with her conventional family. When she finally decides to start a family and marry the woman they thought was just her roommate, the small, safe world the Farrells inhabited changes forever. They are left with a simple and difficult choice – either change with it or drown.” –IMDb
Jenny’s Wedding
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Alexis Bledel, Tom Wilkinson, Grace Gummer and Linda Emond
Written and Directed: Mary Agnes Donoghue
$42,927
Many people have mentioned this movie as “That movie that stars that chick from Grey’s Anatomy and the daughter from Gilmore Girls”. While they are not wrong, I think it deserves more than just being related to those two stars.
The movie that could have been amazing does fall just a bit flat. It touches on a subject that I find very important- how love is love. How people need to stop criticizing when it comes to who anyone is “allowed” to fall in love with.
I can appreciate Kathrine Heigl for the roles I have seen her in. As for Alexis Bledel, I will admit- I am a huge Gilmore Girls fan. Although it’s hard to stop thinking of her as the teen-aged Rory, I liked seeing her in a role where she was more of an adult. (It was a nice way to ease into her in Handmaid’s Tale– yikes!) Seeing the two actresses together is a very refreshing way to see them, both individually and in an attempt to be a couple for the film.
I can only imagine what it would be like to lie to your family about your sexual orientation and about who you want to spend your life with, for so many years. The fact that this is still an issue today drives me up the wall. It is not the first time a film has revolved around this topic. I just hope the fact that this film has so many well-known actors in it, is going to get a few of the “younger groups” to be interested in watching. All the while, hopefully learning while keeping an open mind.
Heigl and Bledel have great chemistry.
However, when it comes to more intimate scenes- they still seem awkward. I can’t fully blame them though. If it’s not something you’re used to doing, it’d be awkward for anyone!
Tom Wilkinson has always been one of my favorite actors. I believe that both he, and Linda Emond, do marvelous jobs at portraying parents who are given shocking news. They have a hard time with it but they both stand up for their daughter. Almost, as though it is just by instinct- even when they may not be exactly “warm” to the idea. Isn’t that what parenthood is?
The whole film has a hint of comedy to it, which is a relief.
I teared up a few times. Especially, when there were parts between Heigl and Wilkinson. Anything that involves family is a huge tear jerker for me. It may not be this way for everyone who watches the film.
Overall
While it wasn’t a bad movie in the slightest, I think Jenny’s Wedding could have been much better. It gets points for achieving what they set out to do. They got me upset, then made me laugh. I felt sad, but then there were touching moments. Angry, saddened, empowered, happy… you really go on a rollercoaster with this one!
Whether you are someone who is going through it themselves, or is merely supportive to those who are, you can’t help but feel something towards this film. I don’t mean to make it seem like there is no humor at all; I did laugh quite a bit. If you watch the film after reading this review, just keep in mind, “That grass is so dead.”
Some parts seem like they were added just to have even more drama included. I felt this to be unnecessary because the topic itself is hard enough.
I would give it a 7 out of 10.
Have you seen Jenny’s Wedding? Did you like it?
See Also:
Ticket to Paradise (2022) Movie Review
Belfast (2021) Movie Review
Enough Said (2014) Movie Review