Wahre Liebe

As their wedding date draws closer, two youths grow increasingly uncertain about whether they are ready to get married in this debut feature from 'Dogfight' director Nancy Savoca. The script is by Savoca and her husband (Richard Guay) and the film benefits from showing both sides of the equation. As the boyfriend, Ron Eldard is torn between his bride and his unmarried friends who just want to party; as the girlfriend, Annabella Sciorra wonders if he is mature enough for her. There is some intriguing background information as it is revealed that her parents eloped and as they plan a larger-than-life wedding, it seems like they are mostly interested in making up for what they missed out on. Despite showing both sides though, the film is far more balanced in favour of Sciorra, which makes Eldard seem like a selfish jerk. A more interesting film may have given both sides equal weight rather than leave us wondering what she ever saw in him in the first place. If flawed though, the film survives well on account of great, naturalistic dialogue exchanges and memorable quirks like the option for blue potatoes at the wedding ceremony (!). The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival; no small feat considering that it was competing against 'Heathers' and 'Sex, Lies and Videotape' and other films that have gone onto become better known cult hits.