A Wedding is a 1978 film directed by Robert Altman. The film is an ensemble comedy set during a lavish wedding and features a wide range of eccentric characters and comedic situations. 

Plot

The film is set during the extravagant wedding of Dino Corelli (played by Desi Arnaz Jr.) and Muffin Brenner (played by Amy Stryker), two young lovers from wealthy families. The ceremony takes place at the luxurious residence of Muffin's parents.

As the guests gather for the wedding, a series of complex family dynamics and shocking secrets emerge. The Brenner family is eccentric, with a hypochondriac mother, a control-freak father, and an exuberant aunt who brings along a small army of dogs.

On the other hand, the Corelli family is of Italian descent and is equally peculiar, with a patriarch who has a dark past and a superstitious mother. The ceremony begins formally but quickly devolves into a series of chaotic and comedic situations due to arguments, infidelity, and misunderstandings.

The film explores family dynamics, cultural differences, and the hidden secrets of the two families as everything unravels during the course of the wedding. "A Wedding" is an ensemble comedy that offers an ironic and often bizarre look at wedding ceremonies and family relationships.

Director: Robert Altman

Writers: Robert Altman and John Considine

Producers: Robert Altman, John Considine, and Scott Bushnell

Music: John Considine

Cinematographer: Charles Rosher Jr.

Main Cast:

• Carol Burnett as Tulip Brenner
• Desi Arnaz Jr. as Dino Sloan
• Geraldine Chaplin as Muffin Brenner
• Mia Farrow as Buffy Brenner
• Paul Dooley as Luigi Corelli
• Vittorio Gassman as Luigi Corelli Sr.
• Lauren Hutton as Florence Farmer
• Lillian Gish as Nettie Sloan

Major Awards: The film did not win major Oscars but was appreciated for its satirical portrayal of family dynamics.

Box Office Gross: The film collected approximately $8,000,000 at the box office.

Critical Reception: The film is known for its satirical portrayal of family and social dynamics, with a particular focus on critiquing societal conventions. Although it did not win major Oscars, the film was praised by critics for its complexity and achieved moderate box office success.

Style and Themes.

Altman was known for his unique style, and "A Wedding" is no exception. The film uses overlapping dialogues, an Altman trademark, to bring to life the confusion and chaos of a large family event. Social critique is palpable, with a satirical portrayal of the hypocrisies and vices of upper-class American society.

Reception and Legacy.

Upon its release, the film garnered mixed reviews. While some critics praised its sharp observation of society and its multilayered narrative, others found it sprawling. Over time, "A Wedding" has been reassessed and now stands as a salient example of Altman's unique and challenging style.