The following contains spoilers for You’re Cordially Invited, now streaming on Prime VideoYou’re Cordially Invited’slast minute romantic twist in the third act is the worst part of the movie, and the ending would have been better if it was different.You’re Cordially Invitedis a largely enjoyable comedy. Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon leadYou’re Cordially Invited’s castas Jim and Margot respectively, a father and sister of two different brides respectively. Their efforts to provide their loved ones with the perfect wedding pit them against each other when they’re forced to share a venue, with their escalating efforts setting up most of the film’s biggest laughs.
For the most part, this comedy ends up being a great surface-level vehicle for the film, while the cast find surprisingly effective emotional beats with one another. However,You’re Cordially Invited’s endingsuffers from one relationship turn that doesn’t quite work. In fact, it’s one of the worst elements of the movie, a moment of forced romance that doesn’t gel with the movie’s otherwise well-constructed relationships. A simple change to the ending could have improved it and made it flow better with the overall direction of the Prime Video film.
You’re Cordially Invited Is At Its Worst When It’s A Rom-Com
You’re Cordially InvitedDoesn’t Need A Romance Between Jim And Margot
You’re Cordially Invitedis a solid comedy with strong emotional beats, butthe decision to force it to become a rom-com in the third actis the worst aspect of the film. For the most part,You’re Cordially Invitedworks as a back-and-forth comedy of escalation between Will Ferrell’s Jim and Reese Witherspoon’s Margot. Their conflict only gets more intense as their personal hang-ups and family dramas become more overt, leading them to take things further in the conflict.It’s a frequently funny movie that benefits from a clear character focus and emotionally resonant performances.
However, this sweet moment of empathy between former enemies is quickly turned into a romantic beat that feels awkward and forced.
It’s also hinted throughout the film that Margot and Jim are “obsessed” with each other, the rest of the supporting cast eventually telling them they’re clearly attracted to one another. This leads to a surprisingly tender moment between the pair where Jimp empathizes fully with Margot and convinces her to let her guard down and express her emotions.However, this sweet moment of empathy between former enemies is quickly turned into a romantic beat that feels awkward and forced. It’s a shame too, because the rushed nature of the romance means the ending feels less effective than it could have.
You’re Cordially Invited Works Best When Ferrell & Witherspoon Are Fighting
You’re Cordially InvitedIs Better When Jim And Margot Are Rivals Who Empathize With Each Other
You’re Cordially Invitedis best when it allows Ferrell and Witherspoon to bounce off of each otherand their respective families. This sets up plenty of comedy and makes room for character drama that never feels all that romantic. The small moments of empathy between Jim and Margot humanize them and keeps the larger wacky antics they take part in from becoming too goofy that it makes the film unbelievable. However, those beats never feel romantic, and their moments of empathy feel more akin to a slow-burn friendship than a romantic relationship.
Instead, they reinforce the movie’s themes about being honest with loved ones and working to fix relationships instead of letting them fester or stagnate. Jim and Margot learn to be more honest with their loved ones, all spurred on by the escalating prank war between them that increasingly derails both weddings in spectacular fashion. Their fighting is frequently funny, and sets up many of the movie’s bigger emotional beats. It’s a good push and pull that makes the film entertaining, andthe possibility of a romance is almost completely absent from this rapport.
How You’re Cordially Invited Should Have Ended
There’s Even Way To Set Up A Romance Without Making It Needlessly Distracting
The big problem withYou’re Cordially Invitedbeing turned into a rom-com in the third act is the fact that it feels entirely unnecessary. Romantic tension and sexual chemistry are central to the success of a rom-com, playing out across the whole film. Making it a sudden turn in the third act makes the Jim/Margot romance feel rushed and inauthentic, as opposed to the effective emotional growth Jim and Margot experienced with their families.The ending could have not pushed the romance but made them friends, illustrating how opening up to others is always better than just fighting them.
You’re Cordially Invited Confirms The Secret Truth About Will Ferrell Movies That Everyone Forgets
You’re Cordially Invited highlights one of Will Ferrell’s most undersung qualities as a performer that has always helped elevate his comedic roles.
The ending ofYou’re Cordially Invitedshouldn’t have jumped ahead to Jim and Margot being such an established couple that they’re approaching marriage. If the movie still wanted to blend their families and have a romance reveal,the ending could have revealed that the pair were starting a romantic relationshipinstead of approaching marriage. It would have felt less rushed and sudden, and could have kept the focus on the positive effects of emotional honesty.You’re Cordially Invited’s romance doesn’t quite land right and remains the worst part of the otherwise entertaining film.
