Confetti (2006)
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Theatrical Release: Sep 15, 2006 Limited
Box Office: $145,545
Synopsis: British actor Martin Freeman first came to the public's attention with his turn as the jaded and smitten Tim in Ricky Gervais's television mockumentary THE OFFICE. Freeman returns to the mockumentary format for CONFETTI, taking a leading role alongside a host of British actors, many of whom... British actor Martin Freeman first came to the public's attention with his turn as the jaded and smitten Tim in Ricky Gervais's television mockumentary THE OFFICE. Freeman returns to the mockumentary format for CONFETTI, taking a leading role alongside a host of British actors, many of whom are also making the transition from television to the big screen. The film revolves around three couples who have reached the final stages of a magazine competition to find the most unique and originally themed wedding; the prize is a multimillion dollar house. Jessica Stevenson from Britcom SPACED plays Freeman's other half, and their rivals are a tennis-obsessed couple played by Stephen Mangan (from dark comedy show GREEN WING) and Meredith MacNeill (MAN STROKE WOMAN), and a naturist duo brought to life by Robert Webb and Olivier Colman (who are both from BBC America's excellent PEEP SHOW). Director Debbie Isitt calls on her talented cast to improvise their dialogue throughout, veering close to Christopher Guest (BEST IN SHOW) territory at times. CONFETTI never quite manages to reach the effortless comic highs Guest's well-practiced troupe often attain, and the film ends up laying somewhere in-between traditional wedding farces like FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL and the awkward comedy of Larry David's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. This is no bad place to be of course, and avid anglophiles will be delighted to see a veritable who's who of British comedy filling out the cast, with Jimmy Carr (who Comedy Central viewers may recognize from his show DISTRACTION) and Felicity Monatgu (NIGHTY NIGHT) playing the two editors of the magazine, while smaller roles are taken by Julia Davis (NIGHTY NIGHT) and Mark Heap (BIG TRAIN). Ultimately CONFETTI is perfect fodder for a rainy afternoon spent in need of a few belly laughs, but hopefully it won't inspire too many people to get married in the nude. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Martin Freeman, Jessica Stevenson, Stephen Mangan, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman
DVD Info
Release:
Mar 4, 2008
DVD Features:
- Keep Case
- Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, Spanish, French
- Subtitles - English, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Additional Footage - "More Tears & Tantrums - Video Diary Entries"
- Alternate Endings - Choose Your Own Winner (3)
- Trailers
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
While the situations are pretty funny and the actors are committed, they're not ripe with hilarity.
... Confetti comes off more like a reality TV show, in which the participants just don't express their obsessive cluelessness as exquisitely as sharp writers can through trained actors.
Martin Freeman and Jessica Stevenson are unstoppably likeable. Confetti is a genuinely funny movie. Waiting for Guffman fans will love it.
Director Debbie Isitt’s improvised mockumentary is reminiscent of Christopher Guest’s movies but without the reservoir of comic invention [...] Still, there are nice moments and good performances [...]
Even if it's not quite an affair to remember all year, this BBC Films mockumentary about three wacky weddings is pleasant and enjoyably diverting...
Just when you think you've got Confetti completely pegged, it offers a surprise or two.
Confetti is the latest mockumentary to encounter the problem of reality, or reality TV, being more outrageous than the filmmaker's send-up.
Though it feels like it should be funnier, it is a smiley and amusing affair full of happy endings and goodwill.
Moderately amusing, but rather wan when compared to really inspired mockumentaries.
Confetti may be mostly forgettable, but like bubbly at a wedding, the impression it leaves is light and effervescent.
What works for Christopher Guest's dedicated comedy troupe (and it doesn't always work) isn't so easy to imitate, especially with actors lacking in basic improv skills.
There's some genuine heart here, particularly in Sam and Matt's subplot.
A few laughs are right on target; others go over or under it; and most are fairly predictable.
Featuring actors largely unknown here, it's filled with positive energy and wit and, eventually, warmth.
It is ultimately involving as a portrait of couples bound by the vulnerabilities that brought them together in the first place.
The characters are stereotypes and the action is mostly sitcom-ish, and the film seems to invite an audience to laugh at the characters rather than with them.
As is typical of many weddings, the planning drags, and so does the movie.
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