My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

There’s not any doubt Julia Roberts was the queen of the 90s box office. Her power was so strong, she could take on a villain role, and still somehow come off likeable. 1997’s My Best Friend’s Wedding has her looking to steal her male best friend of the movie’s title, played by Dermot Mulroney, from his fiancée, Cameron Diaz because Ms. Roberts’ character realizes she’s in love with him. It was one of the biggest hits of the year, in a year when Titanic ruled the box office. Ms. Roberts’ charm is on full display here, even though you feel for Ms. Diaz’s character because of what’s going on. It’s certainly an interesting film to dissect for a modern audience. Would 2026 be that forgiving of someone trying to steal away a groom? It feels unlikely, and if it were made today, there would be some sort of repercussion for Ms. Roberts for it. But 1997 was a very different time when it came to things like that. If it were a thriller, then there would be some ironic demise for her. Being a rom-com, it’s destined for a happy ending for everyone. Even when it’s not earned. But you won’t care. The movie has enough light comedy that’ll make you smile. It’s also a nice cinematic history lesson of when Julia Roberts ruled the world. She had another four or five years of being a major bankable star before the natural evolution of audiences began looking for someone else. My Best Friend’s Wedding seems to be the peak she was heading for ever since Pretty Woman was released seven years earlier. It’s that perfect Tuesday night kind of movie when you need a break from the horrors of the real world and just want to turn off your mind for about two hours.