By Lynn Venhaus
A silly but harmless light-hearted comedy, “You’re Cordially Invited” is a low expectation streaming movie that turns out to be a welcome diversion for the winter doldrums.
If I consistently laugh out loud during a predictable rom-com, then I consider it a victory. Because this is a personality-driven project, Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon are in their comfort zone – he plays the doofus helicopter widower dad Jim who is well-meaning and she’s Margot, an uptight high-strung career woman who is estranged from her family. Sound familiar?
His only daughter, Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan) is getting married, and so is Margot’s sister Neve (Meredith Hagner), and they have both booked a charming small inn on an idyllic island for the same weekend. Naturally, chaos ensues.
In wanting to throw unforgettable celebrations for their loved ones, the pair go head-to-head as they stop at nothing to make that happen. Both are tightly wound and kick it into high gear with their competing egos.
On the other hand, their relatives are horrified at their acting out, which makes for more awkward situations. But the families try to make the best of sharing the venue.
The venue is picture-perfect gorgeous, which is the real resort Lake Oconee, about 75 miles east of Atlanta, subbing for the fictional Palmetto House.
Of course, the story is goofy, featuring some good slapstick bits, but also stretched thin (and goes a tad too long – 110 minutes), but it’s fun to watch this ensemble.
Ferrell and Witherspoon have never worked together before, but they both have that Def-Con 5 tendency to go over-the-top, which suits their roles. They display their customary crisp comic timing, which makes their skirmishes funny.
Witherspoon’s job as a reality TV producer also provides some laughs, including a Bobby Moynihan-hosted show called “Is It Dead?”
The two brides-to-be are charming and sweet, unfortunately caught in the middle of the shenanigans.
The supporting players include Jack McBrayer, who was a hoot as Kenneth the page on “30 Rock,” as the inn proprietor; hilarious Tennessee comedienne Leanne Morgan who dryly delivers some of the best lines as Margot’s lonely sister Gwyneth; comedian Rory Scovel as her brother Colton; and Jimmy Tatro and Stony Blyden as the two grooms, Dixon and Oliver. Dixon works as a Chippendales dancer, so you know what will happen there.
Character actress Celia Weston hits the right notes as the judgmental Southern family matriarch Flora and Keyla Monterroso Mejia is loud as the excitable party-girl Heather, Jenni’s maid of honor. The bridesmaids, while not in many scenes, are their own comedy troupe.
There are also a couple surprise cameos that add to the fun. And the music soundtrack is an important element of the film. You’ll never quite hear the Dolly Parton-Kenny Rogers duet “Islands in the Stream” the same way again.
Nicholas Stoller, who wrote and directed “You’re Cordially Invited,” has made some crowd-pleasing hits including “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Neighbors” and “The Five-Year Engagement.” He also wrote “The Muppets” and its sequel.
The story gets a tad schmaltzy wrapping up all the families’ turmoil. Turns out Jim and Margot have more in common in their fear of being alone and not needed. The family connections add some warmth and sincerity.
Weddings are often fertile ground for wacky comedies, among them: “The Wedding Planner,” “Wedding Crashers,” “Shotgun Wedding,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Father of the Bride,” and “Bridesmaids.” This falls somewhere in the middle of the road. But at this time of year, it fits the bill for something amusing and mindless.
“You’re Cordially Invited” is a 2025 romantic comedy written and directed by Nicholas Stoller and starring Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Celia Weston, Leanne Morgan, Meredith Hagner, Geraldine Viswanathan, Rory Scovel, Jack McBrayer, Jimmy Tatro and Stony Blyden. Its runtime is 1 hr. 50 minutes and is rated R for language throughout and some sexual references. It began streaming on Amazon Prime Jan. 30. Lynn’s Grade: B-.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
