Wedding Crashers still slays almost a decade and a half after it knocked ‘em dead in theaters. But it also feels suddenly dated, and not just because it harks from BI (Before iPhone). No, it’s a fossil because it makes light of womanizing, a comedy topic that’s decidedly unwelcome in the post-2017 #MeToo era.
Think of it as a period piece, a very very funny period piece. Owen Wilson & Vince Vaughn peaked as law partners who lived to get over on unsuspecting bridesmaids. Passing themselves off as Jewish, Irish, blue bloods, you name it, their quest was to bed the hottest women at the clannish weddings they’d crash.
It’s a brilliant film, opening with Rebecca DeMornay and Dwight Yoakam arguing about their marriage. The LOLs come quickly thereafter, starting with the very gentile Wilson & Vaughn introducing themselves as Lou Epstein & Chuck Schwartz, the first of many noms de guerre they’d assume.
The classic scenes follow along rat-a-tat-tat, including their argumentative breakfast at separate tables, complete with a bromantic “I love you man.” No, I love you man, er, men, er, Wedding Crashers.
Owen Wilson & Vince Vaughn had their roguish charm turned up to 11, scummy but oh so lovable. In large measure, this is because they were the very personification of extremely extroverted heteronormative men.
Their supporting cast is not in the same league, but strong nonetheless.