The Big Wedding 2013

As the past converges with the present, Ellie (Diane Keaton) returns to her old stomping ground - Don’s (Robert De Niro) New England home - bringing with her a sense of nostalgia and a dash of awkwardness. This reunion is prompted by the impending nuptials of their adopted son Alejandro (Ben Barnes), whose wedding preparations are about to get a whole lot more complicated. Ellie finds herself face-to-face with Bebe (Susan Sarandon), Don’s girlfriend of eight years, who’s almost - but not quite - getting intimate in an upstairs room. The tension is palpable as Ellie takes in the unfamiliar surroundings and tries to make small talk.

Meanwhile, Alejandro and his fiancée Missy (Amanda Seyfried) are busy making their wedding plans with Father Moinighan (Robin Williams), a priest who’s well-versed in the intricacies of traditional family values. However, things take a dramatic turn when Alejandro learns that his biological mother Madonna (Patricia Rae) will be attending the ceremony - a revelation that sends him into a tailspin. You see, Madonna is a devout Catholic who disapproves of divorce, and her presence puts a significant strain on Alejandro’s desire to keep his unconventional family dynamics under wraps.

As the family navigates this emotional minefield, Lyla (Katherine Heigl) - Don and Ellie’s eldest child - finds herself at a crossroads. Fresh from a hospital visit with her 29-year-old brother Jared (Topher Grace), an obstetrician who’s still waiting for his “right one,” Lyla is grappling with the fear of having children of her own. Her struggles to conceive only add to the angst, and it becomes clear that this family is more dysfunctional than they initially let on.

Back at Don’s house, Alejandro confides in Ellie about his mother’s impending arrival, and asks them to put aside their differences for the next three days - a request that’s both understandable and excruciating. Bebe, however, has other ideas, and her departure from the scene leaves a palpable sense of unease hanging over everyone.

Just as things seem like they’re calming down, Alejandro’s biological sister Nuria (Ana Ayora) arrives on the scene, bringing with her a whirlwind of drama and flirtation. Her playful advances towards Jared only add to the chaos, culminating in a memorable moment of naked revelry by the family lake. As the wedding day approaches, it becomes clear that this family is about to get a whole lot more tangled up in their own emotional web.

As the evening unfolds, the family embarks on a dinner excursion with Missy’s parents, Muffin (Christine Ebersole) and Barry (David Rasche), where they’re unexpectedly served by Bebe. Meanwhile, beneath the surface of polite conversation, Nuria begins to subtly initiate Jared, her actions not going unnoticed by Ellie. The latter can’t help but intervene, taking Nuria aside for a candid chat about the unspoken norms governing American women’s behavior around men. Later that night, Jared’s eagerness for physical intimacy is met with Nuria’s sudden change of heart, as she instead requests romantic gestures from him, such as reciting poetry. Meanwhile, Don and Ellie’s lingering desire for each other culminates in a clandestine encounter in Don’s room.

As the family prepares for the impending nuptials, Ellie and Madonna embark on a reflective stroll through the woods, while Don has a private conversation with Lyla, where she reveals her unexpected pregnancy. On the eve of the wedding, Don confesses his infidelity to Bebe, who initially forgives him but then delivers a crushing blow by punching him in the face. This bombshell is followed by a stunning revelation: Ellie had previously cheated on Don with Missy’s father, only for Don to reciprocate by cheating on her as well. Muffin then drops a bombshell of her own, revealing her bisexuality and expressing interest in pursuing romantic connections with both Bebe and Ellie.

As the wedding day chaos ensues, Missy and Alejandro decide to bypass the main event and tie the knot on the family dock instead. The rest of the family gives chase, resulting in some spectacularly messy plunges into the lake. Eventually, the couple returns to the reception, where Jared seeks out Nuria and finds her transformed, having abandoned Ellie’s earlier advice and embracing a newfound sense of sexual empowerment. As the night wears on, Ellie and Bebe reconcile, while Don seizes the moment to propose to Bebe and the two get married on the spot. Lyla’s husband Andrew (Kyle Bornheimer) arrives just in time to learn about her pregnancy and patch things up with his wife.

In the midst of this pandemonium, Alejandro’s mother confronts him, only to reveal that she too has been less than forthcoming about her own past, having lied to protect him. In a stunning display of forgiveness, she absolves Alejandro of any wrongdoing, acknowledging the cyclical nature of secrets and deception. As the dust settles on this extraordinary day, the family is left to pick up the pieces and ponder the true meaning of love, loyalty, and commitment.

As the credits roll, a surprising revelation sends shockwaves through the narrative. The film’s protagonist, Lyla (character), is unveiled as a mother, albeit an unsuspecting one, with the arrival of a young daughter named Jane. This unexpected twist stems from Don’s (character) innocent yet profound gesture - the addition of both grandmothers’ names to their family tree, a sentimental act that unwittingly reveals the complex web of relationships and familial ties that bind them together. As this surprising truth comes to light, the audience is left pondering the ripple effects this revelation will have on the characters, setting the stage for a potentially game-changing trajectory in the story’s progression.