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Remembering the film, "Polish Wedding"

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The last time a Hollywood movie was made here, a whole lot of folks were bitterly disapointed.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

 




 


By Charles Sercombe – August 26, 2008
The making of the movie “Whip it” – well, at least two small scenes – in Hamtramck this week got me to thinking about the last big-time Hollywood film crew that set up here in town.

Back in 1997, hometown gal Theresa Connelly was given the chance to direct her first feature, called “Polish Wedding.”
Now for some who have seen the movie, just that title alone makes them cringe. The movie was bitterly criticized by Polish-Americans as being offensive and even blasphemous.

I thought the critics were too harsh and were lacking in humor. But then, I’m not Polish so I saw the movie in a different light. But Polish friends here in Hamtramck also agreed with me.
In fact one woman said scenes of the movie were right from her youth.
In its own way, it’s a sweet coming of age story. It was shot largely in Hamtramck, and it was amazing to see so many locations of Hamtramck featured. Heck, parts of it even looked lush and other-worldly.

I remember watching those Hamtramck scenes and getting goose bumps. A pride for Hamtramck swelled up in me, and frankly I was surprised how emotional I felt. After all, I thought, the whole world will have a chance to see this film and get a glimpse of Hamtramck. That was truly special.

The movie had some big names: Lena Olin, Claire Danes and Gabriel Byrne.
The title of the movie is a pretty sly joke and some folks didn’t even get it. The plot of the movie is the Claire Danes character is a beautiful young teen who starts to have an affair with a young cop.

She gets pregnant by the cop and her brothers set out to force the young man to do the right thing and marry her.

OK, I’m going to divulge why the title is a joke – so consider this a SPOILER ALERT.
You see, the teen’s mother also had been an out of wedlock pregnant teen and had to get married. So, the point is, a Polish wedding means the girl is likely pregnant.

I can see why Poles would be offended by that, but remember Theresa Connelly is Polish and she said the story was about her growing up here.

I don’t think Polish women are truly anymore likely to be pregnant at the time of their wedding than any other ethnicity. I don’t think Connelly seriously meant that. I just think she was having a little fun.

No matter, decide for yourself and rent the movie sometime – especially if you live here or once did. You’ll at least like picking out all the Hamtramck locations.
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1 Polish-American view on Polish Wedding

Posted by JAB at Aug 29, 2008 10:08 AM
The first time I rented this film (on VHS) my parents watched it ahead of me, and they didn't care much for it. I consider myself 100% Polish, though I am American born (1st Gen.) I, on the other hand, fell in love with the movie. I think, among the notable points of their dislike and my love of the film, is that it is an independent flick. It'd not your typical Hollywood blockbuster, nor is it chock full of typical comedy such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Instead, it's a tale of the lives of a Polish family who happen to reside in an outstanding example of a Hamtramck abode. While the roles of the characters might be exaggerated, I find them to be pretty poignant, hence the negative feedback from some of the Polish community (it's tough to face our faults). However, this film could be a play on almost any nationality. We all have our ways, and we all have our faults. The bottom line, in my opinion- that is, one who adores independent, foreign and classic films over what gets churned out of "Hollywood" these days- is that this is a beautiful movie. And the number of times I've watched the DVD copy I own could prove that. Thanks for remembering this film!!

Why I enjoyed the "Polish Wedding"

Posted by Michaeline Montezinos( neeKaraszkiewicz) at Sep 01, 2008 02:29 PM
    I liked this movie because I lived in Hamtramck for half my life Recalling the familiar sights made me a little homesick. I was graduated form St. Ladislaus High School. I remember the Polish bakery where my Mother and I shopped for the fresh homemade bread. Most of all, I enjoyed the scene where Claire Daines ran down Joeph Campau in her bridal gown. For a brief moment, I saw the Polish meat market with Mr. Ciemniak standing in front. He had been my boss for over a year when I worked there as "butcherette." Good memories come to mind whenever I watch this movie on my VCR. My daughter just happened to find the last copy and gave it to me as a gift.

how do we know when we are crossing the line when the line keeps moving?

Posted by boyce at Sep 02, 2008 03:10 PM
Okay, I have never actually seen the movie in question. But I have seen movies that are based on an experience that the writer had become ruined, misinterpreted and degraded because of someone else's interpretation of what the movie was "saying about everyone". While, I believe, few artists set out to actually upset others with their views, we seem to keep thinking some line has been crossed. How do we know we are crossing a line when the line keeps moving? That an artist opens a dialogue is great....that they get slammed for doing it is hurting us all.
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