Betsy's Wedding
Betsy's Wedding is a 1990 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Alan Alda. The film stars Alda, Joey Bishop, Madeline Kahn, Catherine O'Hara, Joe Pesci, Ally Sheedy, Bibi Besch, Burt Young, and Molly Ringwald. It was theatrically released in the United States on June 22, 1990, by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
| Betsy's Wedding | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Alan Alda |
| Written by | Alan Alda |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Kelvin Pike |
| Edited by | Michael E. Polakow |
| Music by | Bruce Broughton |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $19.7 million[1] |
Plot
Eddie Hopper is a construction contractor from Long Island, New York, with two grown daughters. One of them, Betsy, is about to be married.
Money is tight in the Hopper household, but Eddie, much to the distress of his wife, Lola, decides that it is important to throw a lavish wedding to impress the well-off family of the man Betsy is to marry. Everyone in the family is throwing advice Eddie's way, even the ghost of his father.
A new house Eddie is building is adding to his financial and emotional woes. In desperation, he turns to his crooked brother-in-law, Oscar, who ends up getting Eddie involved with loan sharks. A young man named Stevie Dee is sent to keep an eye on Eddie, but instead turns his gaze to Connie Hopper, who is not only a police officer but the bride's sister.
Betsy's wedding ultimately goes on as scheduled, but is disrupted by a torrential downpour of rain.
Cast
- Alan Alda as Eddie Hopper
- Madeline Kahn as Lola Hopper
- Molly Ringwald as Betsy Hopper
- Ally Sheedy as Connie Hopper
- Joe Pesci as Oscar Henner
- Anthony LaPaglia as Stevie Dee
- Catherine O'Hara as Gloria Henner
- Burt Young as Georgie
- Joey Bishop as Mr. Hopper
- Dylan Walsh as Jake Lovell
- Bibi Besch as Nancy Lovell
- Julie Bovasso as Grandma
- Larry Block as Barber
Production
The plot was reportedly inspired by the marriage of Alda's youngest daughter.
Reception
Critical response
Betsy's Wedding received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it has an approval rating of 56% based on reviews from 16 critics.[2] Reviews of the film included comments such as "threadbare concoction",[3] "narcissism flourishing like ragweed" and "unctuous".[4]
Betsy's Wedding has been cited as launching the film career of Anthony LaPaglia.[5] Joe Pesci was asked about the film in interviews and declined to discuss it.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 3rd Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Most Promising Actor | Anthony LaPaglia | Nominated |
| 11th Golden Raspberry Awards | Worst Actress | Molly Ringwald | Nominated | |
| Worst Supporting Actress | Ally Sheedy | Nominated | ||
References
- "Betsy's Wedding (1990)". The Numbers. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- "Betsy's Wedding (1990)". Rotten Tomatoes.
- Benson, Sheila (1990-06-22). "MOVIE REVIEW : Alan Alda's Talents Spread Too Thin in 'Betsy's Wedding'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
- Rea, Steven (1990-07-01). "Newcomer Is the Life of 'Betsy's Wedding' the Film Hasn't Won Raves from Critics, But Anthony LaPaglia Has Caught Their Eye". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
- Van Gelder, Lawrence (1991-04-26). "At the Movies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
External links
