The movie Three Many Weddings (3 bodas de más) is a 2013 romantic comedy directed by Javier Ruis Caldera. Its vibrant colors and use of music as transitions help tell the story of Ruth (Inma Cuesta), a marine biologist who is invited to three of her ex boyfriends' weddings. The movie is full of jokes and exaggerated interactions, all within a classic story of a woman who struggles to find love in the midst of what seems to be a never-ending cycle of weddings. Although she does not want to show up single, her appeasing nature does not allow her to refuse the invitations. Some of the movie's themes include marriage, relationships, work life, independence and feminism. Each ex-boyfriend represents a different part of Ruth's life and the evolution of her identity, but the audience must work diligently through the film's crude jokes to fully discover the depths of character development.
The opening scene of the movie shows the untimely breakup between Ruth and her then-boyfriend, Pedro. In the middle of a friend's wedding, Pedro confesses that Ruth is too compliant and lacks spontaneity. Given Ruth's supportive nature, she listens contently to his concerns. At another point in the film, we meet Mikel, an ex- boyfriend who happens to be an adventure-seeking surfer with a relaxed, sex-oriented personality. From the pictures we see of his relationship with Ruth, it appears that she was once both intrigued and uncomfortable by these traits. As for the third ex-boyfriend shown in the plot, the writers stay true to their frequent use of gender-related jokes as they reveal that Alex has undergone a sex- change operation. Lastly, the audience witnesses Ruth's everlasting hope for love as she begins a new relationship with Jonas, a neurosurgeon who hides the fact that he already has a girlfriend. Throughout the entire plot, the audience hears raunchy jokes that either revolve around sex, the physical body or personal relationships. Some of the experiences are unrealistic while others show a sense of relatability. For example, the idea that Ruth can breastfeed another woman's baby in the bathroom seems absurd, as well as the fact that this action did not bother Jonas. An example of a relatable encounter can be seen when Ruth wakes up after a one- night stand hoping to forget the whole mistake ever happened and ends up walking in the same direction as the character she slept with. However, feminist ideas also play a role in this comedy. When Dani begins his internship at Ruth's laboratory, he realizes that the only man on the team is the one without a salary. Another comedic interaction between characters occurs during the first wedding when Ruth talks about children with another guest, who says, "The only ones who have kids nowadays are the immigrants, gypsies and Opus Pei". This reference is not only funny to an audience member familiar with Spain's childbirth statistics, but also to those who enjoy learning about Spain's history.
In order for a movie to be truly successful and memorable, there needs to be an element of surprise that differentiates it from similar stories that utilize the same attractive plot lines. All of the men in Three Many Weddings (3 bodas de más) have distinct personalities, but appear two-dimensional. Each wedding is set in a different location with its own unique environment. The diverse settings offers variety in scenery and exemplifies the transition between relationships. The first wedding's environment is especially exaggerated through effects which make it appear as if the bride arrives to her wedding through the water. The cinematography is visually accomplished with high lighting and vibrant colors in location, costume, and household décor. Both Spanish and English- language music are utilized from the beginning to the end of the film, but one song in particular shows character revelation. Although "When Lights Go Down" is a song played throughout the movie, Ruth realizes that she deserves more in life when it plays one final time.
Overall, I would recommend this movie to someone who enjoys classic story lines revolved around love and matrimony. Independence and identity are two vague themes which are often overpowered by crude jokes, so audience members must have an appreciation for slapstick comedy. The camera style is easy to follow and the character interaction varies from cringe-worthy to endearing, as intended by the director. Since this movie appears to be mainly based on the quest for love, it should have strived for an element of surprise within the character relationships in order to appeal to a more widespread audience. However, some of the movie's comedic points have a shock factor that is likely to please spectators. Anyone who is interested in a light-hearted foreign comedy would benefit from the cultural references and fun atmosphere presented in Three Many Weddings (3 bodas de más).
The opening scene of the movie shows the untimely breakup between Ruth and her then-boyfriend, Pedro. In the middle of a friend's wedding, Pedro confesses that Ruth is too compliant and lacks spontaneity. Given Ruth's supportive nature, she listens contently to his concerns. At another point in the film, we meet Mikel, an ex- boyfriend who happens to be an adventure-seeking surfer with a relaxed, sex-oriented personality. From the pictures we see of his relationship with Ruth, it appears that she was once both intrigued and uncomfortable by these traits. As for the third ex-boyfriend shown in the plot, the writers stay true to their frequent use of gender-related jokes as they reveal that Alex has undergone a sex- change operation. Lastly, the audience witnesses Ruth's everlasting hope for love as she begins a new relationship with Jonas, a neurosurgeon who hides the fact that he already has a girlfriend. Throughout the entire plot, the audience hears raunchy jokes that either revolve around sex, the physical body or personal relationships. Some of the experiences are unrealistic while others show a sense of relatability. For example, the idea that Ruth can breastfeed another woman's baby in the bathroom seems absurd, as well as the fact that this action did not bother Jonas. An example of a relatable encounter can be seen when Ruth wakes up after a one- night stand hoping to forget the whole mistake ever happened and ends up walking in the same direction as the character she slept with. However, feminist ideas also play a role in this comedy. When Dani begins his internship at Ruth's laboratory, he realizes that the only man on the team is the one without a salary. Another comedic interaction between characters occurs during the first wedding when Ruth talks about children with another guest, who says, "The only ones who have kids nowadays are the immigrants, gypsies and Opus Pei". This reference is not only funny to an audience member familiar with Spain's childbirth statistics, but also to those who enjoy learning about Spain's history.
In order for a movie to be truly successful and memorable, there needs to be an element of surprise that differentiates it from similar stories that utilize the same attractive plot lines. All of the men in Three Many Weddings (3 bodas de más) have distinct personalities, but appear two-dimensional. Each wedding is set in a different location with its own unique environment. The diverse settings offers variety in scenery and exemplifies the transition between relationships. The first wedding's environment is especially exaggerated through effects which make it appear as if the bride arrives to her wedding through the water. The cinematography is visually accomplished with high lighting and vibrant colors in location, costume, and household décor. Both Spanish and English- language music are utilized from the beginning to the end of the film, but one song in particular shows character revelation. Although "When Lights Go Down" is a song played throughout the movie, Ruth realizes that she deserves more in life when it plays one final time.
Overall, I would recommend this movie to someone who enjoys classic story lines revolved around love and matrimony. Independence and identity are two vague themes which are often overpowered by crude jokes, so audience members must have an appreciation for slapstick comedy. The camera style is easy to follow and the character interaction varies from cringe-worthy to endearing, as intended by the director. Since this movie appears to be mainly based on the quest for love, it should have strived for an element of surprise within the character relationships in order to appeal to a more widespread audience. However, some of the movie's comedic points have a shock factor that is likely to please spectators. Anyone who is interested in a light-hearted foreign comedy would benefit from the cultural references and fun atmosphere presented in Three Many Weddings (3 bodas de más).