May 8, 1995 -- ``Muriel's Wedding'' is a sort of sentimental romp of a film. Made in Australia, it stars the somewhat homely Toni Collette as Muriel, whose whole purpose in life is to get married. How she does that and what happens after that are a couple of the many delightful surprises in this film.

Muriel bumps along without much purpose in life in a town called Porpoise Spit, but then she meets Rhonda during a vacation financed with stolen money and she seems to come to life. That is because Rhonda is the first true friend she's ever had.

Muriel runs away to Sydney to escape the consequences of her theft and starts a new life, with a new name, ``Mariel.'' The movie becomes serious at that point, as a couple of tragedies strike. Muriel eventually realizes that she can't change anything by running and hiding, or even getting married. She has to earn respect for herself before she can advance.

This film rates an A.

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