Madison Messenger - November 27th, 2022

PAGE 4 - MADISON MESSENGER - November 27, 2022
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Actors save ‘e People We Hate at the Wedding’
The potential to be entertained
abounds when there are the reel deal England with her father, Hen-
Eloise spends half the year in
impending nuptials, especially
rique (Isaach De Bankole). That
when they are explored through By Dedra Cordle bond began to unravel when
the lens of books, cinema, or the
Alice and Paul noticed the
small screen. For centuries,
wealth disparity between their
these matrimonial events have showcased genuine and
respective families. While they
heartfelt expressions of love, mined the dynamics of a
had always tried to maintain
dysfunctional family, and have descended into the
some warmth toward their halfsister,
Alice and Paul grew to re-
realm of absurdity with bizarre plots that revolve
around romantic rivals stealing the faces or bodies of
sent Eloise for her “ostentatious
the bride as they prepare for their big day.
displays of wealth, her haughty
Prime Video’s new original movie, “The People We
manner, and her meddling in
Hate at the Wedding,” leans heavily on the comedic side their lackluster jobs and lives.”
of the aisle with strong focus on the dynamics of a dysfunctional
family. The result is a mostly humorous and get along which is why she is beyond ecstatic when she
Like most mothers, Donna just wants her children to
occasionally charming look at some unlikeable characters
doing unlikeable things. They try to resolve their all of my kids to come together and repair their relation-
learns Eloise is getting married. “It will be a chance for
differences as the wedding of a once dearly loved sister ship,” she says. For her part, Eloise feels the same way,
approaches.
hoping her wedding will be a catalyst for reconnection.
At the center of this saga is the relationship between For their part, Alice and Paul want nothing to do with
siblings, Alice (Kristen Bell), Paul (Ben Platt), and their it, their sister, and, frankly, their mother who they feel
half-sister, Eloise (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). Sharing has moved on too quickly from the death of their father.
the same mother, Donna (Allison Janney), the trio had Naturally, the duo ends up going, mostly because it is
a tight bond throughout childhood despite the fact that an all-expense paid trip to London. But that doesn’t
Turkey contest winners announced
The Madison Messenger held its annual Turkey Contest.
Entrants submitted their names at participating
merchants. Each merchant drew a winner. Each winner
received a $30 gift card toward the purchase of their
Thanksgiving turkey.
• Buckeye Ford—Don Hartley, London
• Buckeye Realty—Denise Congleton, London
• Chaney & Thomas Ins.—Jeanette Pass, London
• Dwyer’s Hardware—Joan Bodgue, London
• Eades Insurance—Karen Butchco, London
• Ernie’s Pharmacy—Linda Dunn, London
• Kronk and Scaggs Insurance—Chris Daugherty,
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London
• Lifetime Vision—Eileen Duncan, London
• Madison County Senior Center—Greg Moxley, London
• Merchants Bank—Lou Robinson Baker, London
• Midland Title West—Roberta Little, West Jefferson
• Peart State Farm Insurance—Eric Bush, Springfield
• Phat Daddy’s Pizza—Rick Dickerson, London
• ReMax Leading Edge—Henry Lindsey, London
• Quick Lane—Leonard Barcus, London
• Wilson Printing & Graphics—Mikki Budd, London.
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Messenger Word Search
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INHALE
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Solution on page 16
mean they are going to like it, nor does it mean they are going to be
well-behaved.
It is a good thing almost all of the actors in “The People We Hate
at the Wedding” are charismatic because the characters they play
tend to act out in ways that are hard to sympathize with. That is
not to say every book, film, or television show has to have likeable
characters at its center, but you end up with a harder read or watch
without them.
The fact that the audience can, at times, feel sorry for the characters
is another testament to the skill and charm of the actors, but
it does bring up script issues. Although wickedly sharp at times,
the story (adapted by Lizzy Molyneux-Logelin and Wendy
Molyneux from a novel by Grant Ginder) does not delve too deeply
into the characters’ motivations. So, we cannot fully embrace their
acts of rebellion. At times, it just feels too bratty and unjustified,
which I suppose can be a form of entertainment if the mood hits
just right.
Not everyone can enjoy watching films filled with awkward moments—director
Claire Scanlon has a true talent for staging cringeworthy
scenes—but I think those who can tolerate it will find some
enjoyment from “The People We Hate at the Wedding.” Not everything
the film does hits, and some of the more sincere and dramatic
moments feel out of place, but the film will make you laugh, smile,
and thank a deity that your immediate family is not like theirs. And
if it is, well, try to turn that dynamic into a book or a script because
some people would really enjoy it.
Grade: C+
Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist.
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