In thinking that Muriel's Wedding is the most heartbreaking film

[Needhelp101]

Watching it tonight. It's so bloody sad.
But equally funny.
Her poor mum.
She's a beautifully written character, very flawed, and Toni Collette plays her perfectly.

Brilliant film - funny and heartbreaking at the same time.

The burnt grass in the yard when Muriel goes home after her mum's death always got to me - when Muriel's siblings tell her that her mum burned it because she kept asking one of the sons to cut it but he wouldn't. Poor woman was shat on by her whole family.

One of my favourite films it’s so touchingly sad and funny without trying to be.

Toni Collette is a brilliant actress but she has never been better than in this

Every character is great so well written and honest makes me laugh and cry

I remember a friend telling me to watch it- an amazing comedy she said. It broke my heart. My heart properly hurt. Her poor Mum.

I love the vulnerability of all the characters though- even when her Dad is being appallingly obnoxious you can see the insecurity and fear that is fuelling it.

A stellar production all round.

And yes, "you're terrible Muriel" is a real catchphrase here.

It is

I love Toni Collette

@groovergirl

Australian here. My mum and I love this film; I think we both understand the heart of darkness behind the sunshiny illusion. Director P.J. Hogan based it on his own family, including his older sister who stole money and ran off to Sydney, as Muriel does.

Jeanie Drynan (Betty Heslop) is the most awesome actor and we, her fans, keep waiting for her to re-surface. Maybe it's her choice to lie low, but she deserves a major role in something huge. Perhaps Hollywood could tap her, as it did Jacki Weaver, another brilliant Australian actor who can ably play those mature roles -- with a natural face!

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9847067/amp/Where-Jeanie-Drynan-mother-Muriels-Wedding-back.html

The beanbag. I nearly wet myself laughing at that the first time I saw it.

"Let her finish her orgasm"

It’s one of my favourite films too. Funny, and then so sad.

Rhonda: I had cancer. It’s all right. They cut it out.

Cheryl: You were so full of life!

Rhonda: I’m not DEAD, Cheryl!

An extraordinary film. Fantastic acting and such a heart wrenching story on so many ways but with chinks of brightness too.
Highly rated by Ridley Scott apparently. He was asked what moment from a film would he put in a time capsule for future generations and he said "The whole of Muriel's Wedding"

I saw it at the cinema and I have never cried so much at a film in my life. My poor friend hardly knew what to do with me although I somehow managed not to cry out loud until it was over and then I was utterly inconsolable.

It hit a massive nerve for me on several levels at that particular time in my life. It's one of my favourite films and I would say it was largely responsible for the revival of Abba love.

@PineappleSituation

We still say, "Deirdrie Chambers! What a coincidence!"

It has some great lines but Muriel's mother is such a heartbreaking character.

Yes we say that too! Usually to people who probably have no idea what we mean!

Watched Muriels Wedding so many times as a teenager and didn’t really understand most of it. Recently rewatched it and realised how sad it was.
But I have just googled Toni Collette and can’t believe I didn’t know she was Muriel! And I don’t think I realised her mum commuted suicide either

Love this film, always makes me cry though, her poor mum, they're all vile to her and don't even get me started on the emotionally abusive piece of shit that is Muriels dad.
One thing I never understood though is why Muriel invited the bullying bitches that are her so called friends to her wedding, I'd have told them where to go lol

I love this film. There are laugh out loud bits but also heartbreakingly sad parts.
I've seen it loads of times over the years and now that I'm a bit older and have had depression I find the mothers storyline particularly sad.
I adore ABBA and the Waterloo scene is one of my absolute favourite movie moments ever.

It’s one of my favourites too but rewatching as an adult it all resonated so much more. So sad but beautifully done. Lots of little details, often things left unspoken which adds to its power.
Also helped cement my lifelong love of abba.
Goodbye Porpoise Spit!

I love it! I’m going to watch it tomorrow with my 14 yo, see what she thinks.
The scene with her mum stealing the shoes in the supermarket was so sad.

Yes, I can still see the mum's feet in the sandals. She invited them because she wanted them to be impressed by her and to finally feel accepted. The beanbag scenenwas hilarious. I also watched itnin the cinema and remember walking home discussing it afterwards.

@PeachesandCream2020

I love it! I’m going to watch it tomorrow with my 14 yo, see what she thinks. The scene with her mum stealing the shoes in the supermarket was so sad.

That’s the bit that always sticks with me - the most memorable scene of the whole film - just so sad. Too sad for me.

I absoluttely love Marie's wedding. The mum does break my heart though.

I also find it interesting that the dad was filming Muriels wedding and Priscilla Queen on the Desert at the same time. He was awful in Muriels wedding but lovely in Priscilla.

What a coincidence!
It's one of my very favourite films. But so sad... Her mum and Bryce Nobes at the wedding, her horrible father and Deirdre bloody Chambers. I always cry when she tries on the first wedding dress and I don't even want to get married.

@Floogal

Muriel's wedding discussion has reminded me of Tim. A bitter sweet romance with Australian humour. Mel Gibson plays a man with learning issues who begins a relationship with an older woman.

Such a lovely film!

Mel was a dead set spunk back in the day.

I can see Rhonda's point too tbh, she rescued her. That Waterloo scene is fantastic, just watching it now, thanks to this thread.

My two favourite scenes:

On holiday when Muriel and Rhondda are doing Abba while the bitches are watching. Camera pans to Nicole to reveal a black eye. Her and Tania pull angry faces at each other and they end up brawling on the floor

Muriel walking down the aisle to "I do, I do, I do, i do."

The final scene was fab also!