My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Based on the one-woman stage play of the same improbable name, this ethnic marriage comedy centres on the poignantly plain Toula (played by the writer Vardalos) who made for a ‘swarthy six-year old with sideburns’ and at thirty is even more badly in need of industrial-strength mustache bleach than ever.

Sick of her single status and the oppressive aroma of garlic bread at her unrewarding waitressing job in her dad’s restaurant, she enrolls in college and ultimately meets her dream man, Ian (Corbett from Sex In The City).

Unfortunately, Toula’s father sees the world in terms of Greeks and non-Greeks, and Ian is decidedly in the latter camp. Cue much ethnic mismatch comedy and fondly realised stereotypes, accompanied by constant (and frequently overbearing) observational quips in voice-over form.

As a result this Tom Hanks produced flick is a quite likable, if slushy Cinderella-inspired rom-com, boasting cameo roles from just about every character actor of Greek extraction in the business, including Joey Fatone of N’Sync fame. Though why anyone would make a movie about Greek weddings without a single plate being smashed is most perplexing.