Brother Works Overtime to Save Sister’s Big Day in ‘Love Wedding Repeat’

Sandra Miska

The impact that our words, quick decisions and actions can have on our lives and that of others is explored in “Love Wedding Repeat,” Netflix’s latest romantic comedy. Sam Claflin stars as Jack, a Brit in Italy for the wedding of his only sister, Hayley (Eleanor Tomlinson). As their parents are no longer around, Jack serves as Hayley’s main support system. She has a man of honor, Bryan (Joel Fry), but the aspiring actor is initially more interested in impressing a famous director on the guest list than he is in helping out the neurotic bride. Hayley has a bag full of meds, but no pills or powders can prepare her and Sam for the parade of exes and other oddballs who come through for the big day.

“Love Wedding Repeat” opens with a flashback to three years prior, during a previous visit to Italy when Sam fell for Dina (Olivia Munn), a sophisticated American journalist. Just when he is about to go in for a kiss on a picturesque Italian street, a goofy old-school chum of his arrives out of nowhere, and this sets the tone for the rest of the film. In present day, when Hayley informs her brother that the newly-single Dina will be at the wedding, he is understandably surprised and nervous.

Other guests include Amanda (Freida Pinto), Sam’s haughty ex, and her mismatched current boyfriend, insecure Chaz (Allan Mustafa), who is preoccupied with the size of Sam’s package and how it stacks up to his. There’s also Irish funny girl Rebecca (Aisling Bea), as well as Sidney (Tim Key), an awkward single guy who is probably the most realistic character of the bunch as he navigates the art of small talk. The groom, Roberto, blends into the background amongst this crazy cast of characters, and all hell breaks loose after Marc (Jack Farthing), Hayley’s coked-out ex, shows up determined to stop the nuptials.

Sam goes above and beyond his duties as brother to the bride when he agrees to dose Marc’s champagne glass with a strong sleeping potion. What he fails to consider is the fact that wedding place settings are never carved in stone, they always get moved around, and what transpires is two different versions of the same wedding, one in which Bryan ends up drinking from the glass meant for Marc, and another one in which Sam accidentally drugs himself.

While “Love Wedding Repeat” is being marketed as a straight rom-com focusing on Claflin and Munn, in actuality it is very much an ensemble dealing with the different moods and behaviors that weddings bring out in people. However, having three or more versions of the wedding receptions rather than jus the two may have allowed for writer/director Dean Craig, who adapted the story from the French comedy “Plan de Table,” to better explore the whole butterfly effect theme.

The heart of “Love Wedding Repeat” is no doubt the relationship between Jack and Hayley. Claflin and Tomlinson have a fun chemistry, and what the film does best is show how far a brother will go to ensure his sister’s special day is not ruined. When crisis hits, people often realize who they can truly count on, a message that is sure to resonate with many watching at home.

 “Love Wedding Repeat” is available to stream beginning April 10 on Netflix.