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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Wedding Rehearsal remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for vintage black-and-white comedies where everyone speaks like they’ve just finished a debate at Oxford, you’ll probably get a kick out of Wedding Rehearsal. It’s got that specific, dry wit that’s polite but sharp.
However, if you need your movies to have stakes higher than "who will this rich guy date next," you are going to be bored to tears within twenty minutes. This isn't exactly Youth or anything remotely heavy.
The best part of this flick isn't even the plot. It’s the 1930s London scenery. You get these little glimpses of streets and interiors that feel like a dusty postcard brought to life. It’s lovely to look at, even when the dialogue starts to drag a bit.
There’s a scene where they’re walking through a park, and the way the light hits the trees is just... nice. It feels less like a set and more like they just wandered into a real place. I found myself ignoring the actors to just look at the background extras in their hats.
The pacing is honestly all over the place. Sometimes it snaps, and you’re laughing at some dry remark. Other times, a scene hangs around for way too long, like a guest who doesn't know when to leave the party.
Roland Young is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. He has this way of looking perpetually exhausted by his own family, which is a mood I think we can all relate to at some point.
It’s not a masterpiece, and it doesn't try to be. It’s just a bit of fluff. Sometimes that's exactly what you need on a rainy Tuesday. Just don't go in expecting something like Faithless; this is strictly for people who want to watch wealthy people argue about tea and marriage.
It reminded me a bit of the lightness in A Blonde for a Night, though definitely more stiff-upper-lip. I’d say watch it for the costumes and turn your brain off for the rest. 🎩
