A Wedding

A Wedding

Year: 1978

Runtime: 125 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Altman

ComedyDrama

Behind Muffin’s elaborate wedding to Dino Corelli lie multiple family secrets. An aging priest doubts the ceremony, only the two families actually arrive, and the Corelli family’s Italian ties raise suspicion. Over‑eager security guards scrutinize the gifts, and just as the reception begins, Dino’s grandmother dies peacefully in her bed, adding a somber note to the celebration.

A Wedding (1978) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at A Wedding (1978) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the manicured gardens of a sprawling mansion, an elaborate celebration is about to take place, uniting two families whose histories could not be more different. Muffin Brenner arrives from a newly affluent Louisville clan, while Dino Corelli represents a lineage steeped in old‑world Chicago tradition. Their impending marriage is billed as the perfect merger of new money and aristocratic pedigree, but the very notion of a seamless union feels as fragile as the lace‑trimmed invitations.

The ceremony unfolds under the watchful eye of an aging priest whose quiet doubts echo the uncertainty humming through the crowd. The guest list is surprisingly sparse—most invitees have declined amid whispered rumors about the Corellis’ Italian connections—leaving the two households to shoulder the weight of the occasion alone. Both sides bring their own baggage: longstanding family expectations, hidden grievances, and a network of relatives whose loyalties shift as easily as the wind through the marble corridors.

A cadre of over‑eager security guards scrutinizes every gift, turning what should be a joyful exchange into an exercise in vigilance. The ambiance is a delicate blend of opulent ceremony and an undercurrent of tension, amplified by the knowledge that a beloved matriarch of the Corelli family passes away peacefully as the reception begins. This quiet loss casts a somber shade over the festivities, reminding everyone that celebrations are often woven with threads of sorrow.

The film moves in a tone that balances darkly comic observation with earnest drama, allowing the audience to peer into a world where love, legacy, and secrecy collide. As the day unfolds, the characters navigate a maze of expectations and unspoken truths, setting the stage for a wedding that will be remembered far beyond the vows themselves.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 17:59

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Claustrophobic social farce movies like A Wedding

Social events spiral into chaos as secrets and dysfunction are forced into the open.If you enjoyed the chaotic energy and satirical take on family dysfunction in A Wedding, you'll find similar experiences in these films. This collection features movies where a single event, like a wedding or dinner party, becomes a claustrophobic stage for secrets, scandals, and social satire to collide.

awkwardsatiricalchaoticclaustrophobicuncomfortabledysfunctionalcringe comedy

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a formal social occasion that forces a large, often dysfunctional, group of characters into a confined space. The narrative unfolds through rapid-fire revelations, exposing hidden affairs, rivalries, and secrets. The plot is driven by the escalating tension between public appearance and private reality, culminating in a disastrous but revealing collapse of social decorum.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together by their shared focus on using a single, stressful event as a microcosm for broader social critique. They blend cringe comedy with dramatic tension, creating an atmosphere of sustained unease and satirical observation of human behavior under pressure.

Ensemble family satire movies similar to A Wedding

Large casts and interwoven scandals paint a cynical portrait of family life.Fans of A Wedding's intricate web of character secrets and its satirical look at family will appreciate these films. This selection highlights movies with complex ensemble casts, where multiple storylines converge to deliver a witty and often bleak commentary on modern relationships and familial obligations.

satiricaldysfunctionalensemble castcynicalcomplexunsettlingweb of secrets

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves introducing a large cast of characters, each with their own hidden motivations and flaws. The story complexity arises from the careful interweaving of these separate arcs, which collide and complicate each other. The emotional journey is less about a single protagonist and more about the collective portrait of dysfunction, often ending on an ambiguous or bittersweet note that reflects the unresolved nature of family conflict.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films that share a specific narrative structure (large ensemble) and a consistent satirical tone. The similarity lies in the experience of navigating a complex web of relationships and the thematic focus on exposing the gap between family ideals and messy realities.

Unlock the Full Story of A Wedding

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Wedding in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Wedding is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Wedding Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Wedding, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Wedding Summary

A Wedding Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Wedding with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Wedding Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Wedding

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape A Wedding. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in A Wedding

More About A Wedding

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Wedding: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Wedding

Similar Movies to A Wedding

Discover movies like A Wedding that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.