Movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1064 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 4

Big Fat Greek Wedding directed by Joel Zwick [...] differences between Greek and American culture. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" is a funny movie about the differences in culture that can lead to unhappiness and lack of self-esteem. The main character grows up in a Greek family that wants to protect her, but she manages to find love and happiness anyway. While the film uses stereotypical examples of Greek and American culture to make its points, it is still charming, funny, and entertaining.

This film really plays up the differences between Greek and American culture, and makes them charming all the same. Poor Toula Portokalos, the main character, is trapped in her father's Greek restaurant. Over 30, her family considers her an "old maid," and it is clear she is not happy under her father's thumb. She is dowdy and timid, and afraid to stand up to her very strong and opinionated father. He thinks her only goal in life should be to get married and have lots of children. This is a very real example of Greek culture and how it looks at women in general. While her father thinks he is the one in control, and making all the decisions, his wife really influences him, and plays a major role while making him think he is the strong decision-maker of the family. This is another important illustration of Greek culture. The women are actually quite strong, but they play a game allowing the men to think they are the ones with the power and strength. Toula's mother recognizes she is unhappy and wants to help her, while her husband is oblivious to everything but his own beliefs and concerns.

Stuck Writing Your "Movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



These foundations build upon the differences between Greek and American culture. To most Americans watching this movie, the Portokalos family seems old-fashioned and a little silly. Most Americans give their daughters and wives more freedom, and most American women would not stand for the father's domineering role. Toula does not stand for it either, but she rebels in a different way, but she still gets what she wants.

Another important aspect of Greek culture portrayed in the film is how the family expects Toula to marry another Greek, and they have a hard time accepting the "outsider" she is dating. This also seems very old-fashioned compared to American culture, that is much more accepting about blending families and religious beliefs in most cases. Some of the scenes where Ian tries to fit into the Greek family are funny, and they show that Ian is open to new cultures, while the Greeks are stubbornly hanging on to their old ideas.

Another cultural difference in the film is the family. The Greek family is very large, loud, meddling, and sometimes obnoxious. They insist that their way is the only way, and do not understand Ian's vegetarianism any more than they understand tofu and organic beef. They are lusty, earthy, and opinionated, a far cry from Ian's family who does not fit in the Greek family's society any more than the Greeks fit in theirs. This is funny, but it is sad too, because both families eventually put up with each other,….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2004, October 05) Retrieved June 16, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/movie-big-fat-greek-wedding-176329

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding" 05 October 2004. Web.16 June. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/movie-big-fat-greek-wedding-176329>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding", 05 October 2004, Accessed.16 June. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/movie-big-fat-greek-wedding-176329
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example