Movie review: Top End Wedding

For this week’s review, we’re going to be taking a look at the 2019 Aussie rom-com Top End Wedding.

The film tells the story of Lauren Ford (Miranda Tapsell), a diligent lawyer in Adelaide who has recently been proposed to by her boyfriend, Ned (Gwilym Lee).
Lauren’s dream is to get married among her family and friends in her hometown, Darwin, but when she and Ned arrive there, they are shocked to discover Lauren’s mother, Daffy Ford (Ursula Yovich), has run off.
With only 10 days to organise and hold the wedding, Lauren and Ned follow in Daffy’s steps across the Northern Territory to bring her back for the wedding.
Though this may be a romantic comedy, Top End Wedding is also a movie about home and belonging.
These themes are brilliantly woven into the story so that they feel natural and speak to the audience on a deep level.
It is refreshing to see a film set in Australia’s Northern Territory, with its spectacular locations and unique culture.
The characters of Lauren and Ned are both really likeable, as they have cute and awkward personalities that adds to the comedy of the various situations they find themselves in.
The supporting characters also heighten the film’s personality, being entertaining as well as complex and endearing.
Overall, Top End Wedding is a solid romantic comedy that manages to be genuinely funny while also delivering emotional moments not only once, but on multiple occasions.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt movie to watch in the evening, whether on DVD or through streaming, then I’d highly recommend this film to you.

FOUR-AND-A-HALF STARS OUT OF FIVE
OUT NOW ON NETFLIX
RATING: M
RUNNING TIME: 102 MINS