Muriel's Wedding is truly nothing more than a Ugly Duckling story, but you know you are in for a bit of fun when you are see the welcome sign for the town of Porpoise Spit. Muriel is not only a frump, she's pathetic and really you can't blame people for not liking her. Not that you care much for the others as well. They are all hysterically funny caricatures. But after enough times of being told she's too pathetic she goes a little haywire, absconds with the family savings, puts her family in hot water, and heads off to change her fortunes. Along the way she meets up with another dropout from her high school and a true friendship is formed. The story takes interesting turns, and Muriel has her moments of growth, and other moments that make you groan. And even when Muriel has her Swan moment, underneath she's still a little annoying and "ugly duckling"ish. And maybe that's what makes it a different sort of movie. Muriel is most likable when she's halfway between duckling and swan.
7/10