Parents' Guide to

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Iconic culture-clash romcom has innuendo, mild language.

Movie PG 2002 95 minutes
My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movie Poster: Toula stands in a wedding dress, Ian leaning in close to her and her large family behind her back

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 13 parent reviews

equinoxautumn
equinoxautumn Parent of 11, 13, 15, 18+, 7 and 9-year-old
March 25, 2022
age 8+

The family values outweigh the cussing. A family favorite in our house!

The very few "dirty" jokes will go over little ones heads and the cuss words are not that bad. The tight knit family values outweigh the negatives. We have 8 children and they've all watched and loved this and we watch it over and over. If you grew up in a Greek American family or a recently immigrated family from anywhere this will feel like home and will be a great way to open up opportunities to talk to your kids about how you grew up. Even if you don't fit that bill, everyone will see something of their family in the Portokalis and Miller families.
cprhd2
cprhd2 Adult
February 29, 2016
age 10+

Fantastc Movie About Love and Family

This movie is really fun and great for tweens. It is appropriate, but the main characters sleeping together was implies and one character wears revealing clothes. Otherwise, it is a sweet story perfect for tweens.
See all 13 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Nia Vardalos plays Toula, the shy, plain daughter of a loving but overpowering Greek family. Her family believes that Greek girls are meant to marry Greek boys, have Greek babies, and cook a lot of Greek food. In the unlikely event that they don't get married, Greek women are expected to work in the family business -- in this case, a Greek restaurant. But Toula dreams of more, and with the help of her mother and aunt, she manages to get her dad thinking that it's his idea to have her go back to school and get a job in her aunt's travel agency. Toula starts not only to bloom but to glow, attracting the attention of Ian (John Corbett), a handsome teacher. But falling in love is only the first step when you have Toula's family to contend with.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (13 ):
Kids say (46 ):

Viewers will find Vardalos and her family irresistible. And the story behind My Big Fat Greek Wedding is as remarkable as the film itself. Actress/writer Vardalos created a one-woman show about her Greek family and their response when she married a man who wasn't Greek. Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson (who's Greek), saw the show and decided to make it into a movie with Vardalos playing herself.

Vardalos and director Joel Zwick balance the specifics of the Greek American culture with the transcendent commonalities of family dynamics, and Vardalos and Corbett have a believable sweetness with each other. The movie is riotously funny but heart-catchingly touching, and it may make you want to go back and hug everyone you're related to. This is a terrific choice for families with older tweens: The romance is age-appropriate, and the characters are great role models for how to fall in love and treat each other right. This is one movie where no surprises lurk. Just grab the popcorn, put the phones away, and enjoy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the cultural differences on display in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Do you know of any families where the couples come from markedly different backgrounds? How have those differences created problems or opportunities for new, blended traditions?

  • What are some of the elements that make My Big Fat Greek Wedding a romantic comedy? How is it similar to and different from other romantic comedies?

  • How does the movie portray Greek American culture? Where might it have been exaggerated for the sake of comedy? Where did it seem like an accurate reflection?

  • Once Toula receives a makeover, she's able to find a husband. Can you think of other movies in which an "ugly duckling" gets a new look and suddenly enjoys a better life? What message does that send about body image?

  • Ian shows curiosity about Toula's Greek background. How does it benefit him to be open-minded? What are some things in your own life that you were curious about, and learning more led you to positive results? Why is curiosity a character strength?

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