Review by Marty Mapes

We're all selfish and greedy, and we'd all compromise our principles for the right price. So says a fast-paced, densely packed black comedy from Poland called Wesele, or Wedding.

Our story takes place over the course of a single evening, beginning with a wedding. The priest sets the tone by working into the ceremony the maxim that the love of money is the root of all evil. Before long, the father of the bride interrupts the joyful proceedings with his lavish gift: a new silver Audi sports car. His generosity is competitive. It's self-aggrandizement through generosity.

Writer/director Wojciech Smarzowski keeps things moving like a screwball comedy, with one development after another introducing more and more chaos into the story. The Wedding is probably funnier in Polish, but even to this American the timing looks impeccable. The casting and costumes help the comedy immensely. There are rugged, authentic faces, women of impressive girth, and only-in-the-sticks hairdos like the greasy combover of the local notary public.

What makes The Wedding one notch better than a mere decent comedy is the careful that keeps most of the jokes and situations focused around greed. One guest, insincere but polite, unknowingly curses the family with "May your whole life be as beautiful as this night."

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