You’re Cordially Invited

          They say timing is everything, and I couldn’t help but think about what a big deal a Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon movie would have been in the early 2000s. Better late than never I say, and we’re finally getting that movie—even if some might think it’s too late. I’m not in that club. Ferrell has proven he can still carry a film, delivering the outrageous moments he’s known for. So, what has finally brought these two together? A wedding, of course—but you know things aren’t going to go as planned. Would you expect anything less?

Jim (Will Ferrell) seems like the ideal dad. Ever since his wife passed away, he has done everything to make his daughter’s world perfect. That daughter, Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan), has grown up and met a boy named Oliver (Stony Blyden), whom she is now engaged to. After getting over the initial shock, Jim suggests they get married at the same spot he and Jenni’s mother did. He then books the first weekend in June for her magical day.

Meanwhile, Margot (Reese Witherspoon) has just found out her younger sister Neve (Meredith Hagner) is about to marry Dixon (Jimmy Tatro). Being the best big sister, she decides she wants to plan the wedding—which, of course, includes holding it on the same island she and her sister share so many memories of. The date? You guessed it—the first weekend in June.

The problem? They’ve both booked the same venue on the same day. At first, they try to work out a way to share the space, but chaos inevitably prevails, resulting in a wedding neither party will soon forget.

Written and directed by Nicholas Stoller, You’re Cordially Invited spreads its focus a little too wide and often struggles to keep the chaos in check—but that’s not entirely a bad thing. We’ve all been to weddings and witnessed the inevitable shenanigans, and we’ve seen plenty of movies that depict them. However, You’re Cordially Invited adds some fresh comedic chaos to the mix, including strip-club dancing groomsmen, a saboteur in a zebra costume, and more attention to the song Islands in the Stream than it has received in the last thirty years. All of this leads to a pretty good time, even if you can predict where things are headed. I just wish it had more of that “you never know what will happen at a wedding” feeling.

Despite its structural issues, You’re Cordially Invited does a good job of hitting its emotional moments, especially when focusing on the characters who are alone and searching for connection. The film’s biggest weakness is its sprawling plot, which tries to juggle too much at once—but luckily, the cast saves it. Ferrell and Witherspoon have excellent chemistry, and even though they approach comedy from different angles, their styles complement each other perfectly. This dynamic is further elevated by the strong supporting cast, filled with funny characters and the actors who bring them to life.

My only real complaint about the comedy is that I wish it leaned more into its R rating. Just when it starts to push boundaries, it seems to pull back. That being said, this is the kind of film that plays even better with a crowd—something I was lucky enough to experience in a theater, which enhanced my enjoyment. However, you’ll still have a great time watching it at home. You’ll be glad you got this invite.