The Perfect Wedding

The Perfect Wedding is a heartwarming romantic comedy/drama movie that was released in 2012. Directed by Scott Gabriel, and written by Ed Gaffney and Suzanne Brockmann, the film stars Rico Aragon, Jason T. Gaffney, and Apolonia Davalos in lead roles.

The movie encapsulates a captivating journey about love, family, and acceptance which is set around the vibrant event of a Christmas wedding. The story shines a spotlight on the complexities of relationships, personal discovery, and the delicate topic of prejudice. The film’s strength lies in its unique approach to storytelling that seamlessly merges humor with deep, emotional moments, making it a gem in the LGBTQ+ cinema.

The Perfect Wedding introduces us to Paul Fowler, played convincingly by Jason T. Gaffney. Paul is a young gay man recovering from a recent broken relationship. His mental and emotional state is delicately portrayed with a sense of authenticity that grips the audience right from the start. When he returns home for the Christmas holidays and his sister's wedding preparations, he is anxious about bumping into his ex-boyfriend who also happens to be a close family friend.

On the other side of the equation is Gavin Greene, played by Apolonia Davalos, a charming writer who is ghostwriting the autobiography of Paul's father Richard Fowler, portrayed by James Rebhorn. Gavin is dealing with his own personal conflicts but remains compassionate and understanding. When Gavin is invited to the Fowler's family Christmas event, things start to take an interesting turn.

In comes the handsome and warm-hearted Zachary, played brilliantly by Rico Aragon. Zachary is a young man working hard to shake off his past and looking for a fresh start. He also happens to be Gavin's best friend but no one in Paul's family has met him before. As part of a seemingly foolproof plan, Gavin asks Zachary to pose as him during the weekend wedding events to avoid potential awkward encounters with Paul.

The storyline artfully encompasses the journey of these three central characters as they come together for the wedding, highlighting their personal growth, their struggles, and the romantic entanglements that unfold amidst the joyful chaos of the upcoming nuptials. With the wedding preparations in full swing, hidden feelings start coming to the surface leading to unexpected relationships, secrets, and a significant amount of holiday family drama.

The cinematography by Viking Almquist adds a warm charm to the film through its exquisite visuals and attention to detail, perfectly capturing the holiday atmosphere. The film also manages to flesh out all the secondary characters, which includes the bride, the groom, and the rest of the family, granting the audience multi-dimensional characters that reflect the richness and diversity of real-life relationships.

The Perfect Wedding explores the idea of self-acceptance and love in all its forms. The movie adeptly tackles the serious themes of homophobia, sobriety, and family acceptance. However, despite these intense subjects, it continues to be light-hearted and even comical in places which adds a beautiful balance to the overall storyline.

The performances by the main trio - Rico Aragon, Jason T. Gaffney, and Apolonia Davalos, are commendable. Their on-screen chemistry is believable and emotionally engaging, perfectly blended with the moments of humor and family banter. They manage to deliver their characters with such command that it invests viewers in their individual stories, relationships, and overall journey.

Furthermore, The Perfect Wedding is elegantly devoid of the usual clichés associated with the genre. The film abstains from overly-dramatic plot twists and instead focuses on realistic depiction of relationships and heartwarming storytelling. The movie celebrates love and acceptance in their simplest and most genuine forms.

In conclusion, The Perfect Wedding is an enchanting and emotionally rich film that beautifully blends romance, drama, and comedy to deliver a compelling message about love, acceptance, and the importance of family. It handles the complex emotions associated with love and family dynamics in a profoundly relatable manner, leaving a lasting impression in the minds of the viewers. This is a satisfying watch for not only those looking for LGBTQ+ cinema but anyone who appreciates a well-rounded and heartfelt story with endearing characters.