The Nia Vardalos family comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 has a lot to live up to as the film sequel to 2002’s breakout comedy hit, with Toula and Ian trying to rejuvenate their marriage, while letting their college-bound daughter find her own way and dealing with an ever-present extended Greek family.
Find out who’s new and who’s returning to the film, who’s behind it, and whether it’s any good.
Who’s in it
Vardalos returns as Toula, along with most of the original cast from 2002’s breakout comedy hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding, such as John Corbett (Sex And The City) as husband Ian Miller, Vardalos’ real-life husband Ian Gomez as Miller’s best buddy Mike, and N’SYNC alumnus Joey Fantone as her cousin Angelo.
There’s more, with half a dozen names providing continuity through both My Big Fat Greek Wedding movies and its 2003 TV series follow-up My Big Fat Greek Life, including Gia Carides as best friend and cousin Nikki, Emmy Award winner Michael Constantine as her father Kostas, Lainie Kazan (St Elsewhere) as mother Maria, and Louis Mandylor (Gerald) as brother Nick.
Among those new on the scene are Elena Kampouris of American Odyssey and Jason Reitman’s Men, Women And Children as Toula’s teenage daughter Paris, Alex Wolff of The Naked Brothers Band and In Treatment as Bennett, and John Stamos, as well as Rita Wilson.
Who wrote it
Vardalos is to thank for the sequel’s screenplay, having already written and starred in the first movie. She’s supported by the same producers from the first film, and rather well known ones at that.
Though Gary Goetzman might not be as well known as his business partner, he set up the Playtone production company with two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks.
Reuniting with them for this second film is Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson, who also has a significant supporting role as a member of its cast (above).
There’s a change behind the camera, though, with Kirk Jones, whose previous film was another family comedy in What To Expect When You’re Expecting.
Is it any good
Early reviews for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 suggest that it will have a little trouble living up to the high standards set by its theatrical predecessor, according to scorecards collected by Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes; fans of the TV series, however, shouldn’t be too disappointed by the continuing adventures of the Portokalos family. – AFP Relaxnews
