The Wedding Party Reviews

A coming-of-age comic nightmare in which young groom-to-be Charlie (Charles Pfluger), accompanied by two close friends, journeys to the posh estate of his fiancee, Josephine's (Jill Clayburgh), parents two days before his nuptials. Revelations of reality flood the youth's memory as he is alternately ignored by his busy future in-laws and darkly counseled by his friends. Portents of his future life prompt him to try evading the inevitable. He tries to push Josephine back together with former suitor Jean-Claude (Richard Kollmar, Jr.), then makes a brazen pass at the quite-plain organist (Judy Thomas), clearly hoping to be caught in the act. Despite all his evasions, Charlie finds himself propelled inexorably toward his impending marriage; desperate for freedom, he makes a run for it. But he's pursued, captured, and brought to the altar in time for the ceremony. A Sarah Lawrence College student project made by graduate student De Palma (his first feature) in collaboration with fellow student Munroe and faculty member Leach, this landmark film marks the first screen appearances of Clayburgh (a Sarah Lawrence alumna with a cultivated background, like that of her character) and of De Niro (spelled "De Nero" in the film's credits). Completed in 1967, the film's release was delayed; two of De Palma's other features preceded this one in release. Technically well done, the picture is episodic and was in part ad libbed to a pre-written outline.