What’s worse than wedding plans not falling into place? Having to share your time with a whole different group of people who are not related whatsoever. That is the storyline in You’re Cordially Invited. Written and directed by Nicholas Stoller, this R-rated comedy is filled with lighthearted joy. You’re Cordially Invited made me think of the saying, “It takes two to tango!” The double-booked wedding is at the center of what must come together to make the scenario work. It is a clever comedic setup. All the moving parts, including disasters and disagreements, create a chemistry that works. There is sporadic stupidity, however it’s mostly funny and adds to the film’s comedic charm. 

The idea of weddings and marriage makes for an interesting theme. Happiness in life (and in this movie) hits many plateausand it is a mad world at one wedding venue in Your Cordially Invited. The film focuses on Jim (played by Will Ferrell) and Margot (played by Reese Witherspoon). Jim’s daughter Jenni (played by Geraldine Viswanathan) is getting married, and Margot’s daughter Neve (played by Meredith Hagner) is also getting married. One small error has led to a double-booking of the weddings. From this point on, the reality of having a wedding to remember goes into high gear with so many issues at hand. It is boisterous and entertaining. It all comes down to money and tradition—both of which play key roles and are portrayed in egotistical characterizations.

With Ferrell and Witherspoon playing the parents who mustlearn to share the venue, they both have personalities to causeanxiety to go awry. The wedding is on an island, and a lot can go wrong in that setting. For example, an alligator falls into Jim’s bed. The dim-wittedness of You’re Cordially Invited is different because it navigates new territory instead of only what many expect in family conflicts. It keeps the laughs coming by having the two opposing parties falling apart and then learning to work together to share the venue again. The common ground of family turmoil finds a relatable place in You’re Cordially Invited.

The drastic scenarios throughout You’re Cordially Invited had me sold. Surprisingly, I went in with mixed expectations, but I walked out feeling positive. With Ferrell and Witherspoon playing parents going through treacherous disasters, I felt the sense of lines being drawn and the idea of the saying, “You only live once!” The film finds itself on a mission to keep its audience in tune with the hope that happiness will eventually come around. It was sometimes hard to maintain hope given all the weird moments in the film. The stressful scenes were a little bonkers at times and had wedding bells ringing in some crazy ways in You’re Cordially Invited. It seemed like just when oneagreement was made a new can of worms opened where disasters and uncharted, yet hysterical, perils were inevitable.

This is a film where a comedy and drama combine in a lighthearted flow of writing and characterization. The wedding setting provides perspective. In the end, You’re Cordially Invitedis appealing. Three out of four stars.