Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

BoardChiri Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

adamshl Since I missed John Stamos' reportedly groundbreaking stage Master of Ceremonies in "Cabaret," it was great seeing his work in this romantic caper. The man does light fare well, has a nice singing voice, and reportedly dances, too.As Shel, Stamos sets the tone and carries this film along. What could have been a broad performance is toned down to a naturalistic style. He and Eric Dane as his brother, Ben, blend nicely, playing off one another with ease. The rest of the cast likewise does a good job.The tone of this film, from Jim Fall's direction to Mervyn Warren's score, is reminiscent of the earlier "In and Out." It was as though the latter film was studied carefully down to the last detail--which is a credit more to "In and Out" than "Wedding Wars." Some of the situations are a bit silly, like the one-man-banner-carrying Shel at night with no one around. However, both sides of the marriage issue get due attention and, in the end, the "compromise" (about loosing the battle yet winning the war) is palatable.The dance finale with gender-switching partners is cute (another throwback to "In and Out") and the happy ending works smoothly. All in all a pleasant TV comedy.Incidentally--as of 2012--there is a noticeable absence of press reviews for this film: only one external review on IMDb, and none on either Metacritic or Rotten Tomatoes. This is too good and professional a product to so ignore.

gradyharp The added features on this very entertaining DVD of the brisk and light comedy WEDDING WARS bear watching: the producers, director and actors make the case for the approach of this quality film in tackling the issue of rights for gay marriage in a manner that could not offend anyone and at the same time create a more serious vantage from which to view the controversy. It is the only time in the 'film' that politics is the issue, a factor that makes the actual viewing of the story far more powerful. Credit the writer Stephen Mazur and director Jim Fall for a creating a frothy, fun story that has much more at its core than just entertainment.Ben Grandy (Eric Dane) works as the campaign manager for the Governor of Maine (James Brolin) and proposes to the governor's daughter Maggie (Bonnie Sommerville). The wedding will be at the waterside mansion of the Governor and when the need for a wedding planner is raised, Maggie insists they ask Shel Grandy (John Stamos), the openly gay brother of Ben, who as a party planner has always dreamed of doing a wedding. Shel is in a successful relationship with state prosecutor Ted (Sean Moore) who remains in the closet for career reasons. Shel jumps at the chance to do the wedding, hoping that in some way this event will mend the schism with his big brother who has been distant since Shel informed him he was gay. All goes well until Ben writes a speech for the Governor in which the Governor states he is against gay marriage. Shel is stunned, gathers up his plans for the wedding and begins a private strike for gay marriage, a strike that with television and media coverage soon spreads across the entire USA, the result being the closure of beauty salons, florists, restaurants, limo services (and all the stereotype gay run businesses, unfortunately). The crisis is ultimately resolved in a humorous yet very touching manner and to reveal more would diminish the impact for the viewer.John Stamos is superb as the radical Shel, but everyone in the cast is completely professional - James Brolin, Eric Dane, Bonnie Sommerville, Sean Maher, Claire Welling, Sean McCann, Jane Eastwood, Linda Kash, etc. The production qualities are polished, the story flows along at a fast clip, and in the end there are moments of truth that poignantly emphasize human rights to happiness for everyone. Would that there were more films of this caliber to deliver social comment without the preaching so often associated with message films. It is a delight to watch. Grady Harp

bkoganbing Wedding Wars is one of the first attempts to look at the same sex marriage struggle on a political level albeit it is done in a slyly humorous vein.John Stamos an openly gay man is a wedding planner and he's about to perform a labor of love, he's to organize the wedding of his brother who is marrying the daughter of the governor of his state. That governor is James Brolin who in his campaign for re-election has come out against same sex marriage.The important thing to remember here is Brolin is a fairly liberal fellow, but sees where the political current is running and decides not to swim against it. Stamos is upset with this turn of events though by someone who had been held out to him as gay friendly and decides to do something about it.He stages his own one man strike and his withdrawal from the wedding and picketing of the governor's mansion soon gets a lot of media attention. He doesn't win the immediate political war, but he does win the renewed love and respect from friends and family, including a brother who's life was made miserable by all the fuss.There are many things that can birth a political activist, nothing quite succeeds as when an issue involving who you are and the limits placed on your rights because of it, hits one unexpectedly. Stamos does not play a gay stereotype, he could easily have opted for that. His character grows and develops in proportion to the political awareness.Wedding Wars succeeds in delivering the message that rights and respect are not won from the closet. It's a nice made for TV film with a timeless message.

moo-mann John did a wonderful job as a gay man who stood up for what he believed. Shel(Stamos)is asked to plan his brother's(Eric Dane) wedding to the governor's daughter. The problems begin when Shel finds out that his brother doesn't believe that gay couples should not have the same rights as straight couples. That cause him to make a stand for what he believes in, and he goes on strike to protest the governor's position. He slowly begins to gain support from people around the country who feel the same way as he does. John's a great actor who doesn't always get the respect that he deserves. Everyone should see this film as it handles a tough issue in a light-hearted way, without it being tossed in your face. A fresh, funny and enjoyable film. Very well written. Bravo John!