Confetti
is a British mockumentary that takes a chapter out of the Christopher Guest book
of film making. As was the case with Waiting For Guffman and A Mighty Wind, Confetti
is a mostly improvised comedy that coasts along on the considerable talents of
an up to the challenge cast. The Chris Guest film Confetti most resembles is Best
in Show with it’s zany glimpse into offbeat characters and intense competition.
Confetti’s
premise is a simple one. Three couples compete for the title of “Most Original
Wedding of the Year”. The winner will find themselves on the cover of Confetti,
a legendary magazine with a – you guessed it – wedding theme.
The
three couples are extremely diverse. The first pair consist of a selfish (but
ultimately, insecure) and extremely competitive tennis player and his flighty,
wide-nostriled fiancee. The second couple are bonafide music lovers who struggle
to keep meddling relatives from ruining their big day. The final couple are a
pair of naturalists who become agitated when they’re told they can’t
appear nude at their own wedding.
Through
the help of a kooky pair of wedding planners these three couples plan their respective
weddings as they’re followed around by a camera crew.
Confetti
is sweet enough and it isn’t without it’s charms. It also deserves extra
props for pushing the boundaries of nudity in film. I don’t think I’ve
ever seen this much male genitalia in an R rated flick - what a thrill. What’s
more, these actors have rapport and keen comic timing.
Writer/director
(I use the term writer loosely–after all, most of this film is improvised)
Debbie Isitt makes an earnest attempt at being equal parts funny and endearing.
There are some truly inspired moments here. From the wedding competition set pieces,
to the hilarious tunes sang by one of the grooms’ brothers, to a nudist de-robing
during a corporate magazine meeting (prompting my buddy Jeff to make a hilarious
bubble gum reference), to a nose job gone horribly wrong. On the other side of
the coin, Confetti has an undeniable charm. I really enjoyed watching these nutty
wedding planners put it all on the line, and their little moment at the end of
the picture is particularly delightful without feeling stereotypical. What’s
more, I really bought into one of the couples’ plight. I won’t reveal
which one, because it would give too much away, but the pair in question truly
do appear to be in love.
While
we’re on the topic of giving things away, that’s a big issue I have
with Confetti. Unlike Christopher Guest’s Best in Show – in which the
winner of the competition not only feels right but completely unpredictable –
this movie all but telegraphs who’s going to win. It’s completely evident
within the first thirty minutes of the film. The proceedings would have been far
more effective had Confetti been more balanced.
As
it stands though, there’s quite a bit to enjoy here. Confetti is light and
breezy, and the cast do seem to be enjoying themselves. I wouldn’t put this
in the same league as Guest’s films, but it’s still worth a look.
