It’s hard to find someone who isn’t aware of at least one Keanu Reeves movie, as he’s made a name for himself in cult classic movies like The Matrix franchise, The Devil’s Advocate, Speed, Point Break, and the ever-so-popular action movies of John Wick. Amid the actor’s ability to take on serious, rigorous, and intense roles that require gun and combat training, Reeves isn’t opposed to more lighthearted and comedic roles.
Reeves is also known for the well-loved 1989 sci-fi comedy movie Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and starred in Ali Wong’s Always Be My Maybe. His latest role will be as a low-grade angel in Good Fortune; and while fans are seeing a lighter side to Reeves, he certainly did quite a good job in the comedy-romance drama genre in Destination Wedding alongside Winona Ryder.
What Is ‘Destination Wedding’ About?
The 2018 movie is a dry, offbeat romantic dramedy that reunited Reeves and Ryder for their fourth on-screen pairing. Written and directed by Victor Levin, the movie strips the rom-com genre down to its bare bones, literally focusing almost entirely on two characters. Reeves plays Frank, a cynical, antisocial man reluctantly attending his half-brother’s wedding in Paso Robles wine country; Ryder stars as Lindsay, a sharp-tongued, equally disillusioned woman who happens to be the ex-fiancée of the groom. From the moment they meet at the airport, it’s clear Frank and Lindsay aren’t the typical movie lovebirds—they quickly clash and realize they’re both headed to the same wedding. Over the weekend and a deep conversation, they reveal more to each other than expected, turning a reluctant companionship into something more.
‘Destination Wedding’ Is a Realistic Romance With Witty Humor
What makes Reeve’s Destination Wedding work so well as a comedy is that it’s not the cliché love story or head-spinning romance often seen in a Lifetime-esque movie. It’s real, raw, incredibly resonating, and above all, about two people who are like oil and water but somehow mix to create a worthwhile relationship.
What sets it apart is how unapologetically prickly both characters are; neither is particularly likable at first glance, yet, refreshingly, the movie doesn’t try to soften them with grand romantic gestures or montages. It has a form of dry, down-to-earth humor that thrives on awkward pauses (without any sappy romance ballad in the backdrop), sarcastic jabs, and brutally honest conversations. There’s nothing like watching Reeves become overwhelmed by Ryder’s character at the airport and very obviously step away from her before being called out on such a move. Reeves and Ryder seem to exist within their own little world in Destination Wedding, where there aren’t sparks or forced gags or plot twists, just two people’s personalities genuinely clashing, which earns its fair share of laughs. The comedy aspect between the two actors comes from stillness. Long takes, awkward silence, and lingering shots that let the sarcasm linger and punchlines hit harder.
The movie leans into its comedy naturally—the same way a couple who have been together for years bicker and make fun of other people. There’s a scene at one of the wedding events where Reeves’ character tells Ryder that it’s egotistical for people to believe their lives will be so different from the mistakes someone else made and that heartbreak is pointless. Mind you, Ryder’s character was once engaged to the groom, and in a comical pause, she doesn’t take offense but simply says, “That does help, thank you.” Reeve answers, “No problem,” without missing a beat.
It’s these oddly bizarre, confusing, yet understandable conversations that make the movie comedic in its own way. Destination Wedding also doesn’t glorify the sex scenes, but that’s better left for audiences to watch on their own and think, “Wow, that wasn’t sexy at all,” but was it meant to be?
Keanu Reeves Delivers Effortless Dry Humor in ‘Destination Wedding’
Bill & Ted was the start of Reeve’s acting career, where he played a lovable goof well, but as he ventured into more serious roles, audiences grew to know him as an actor made for the action genre. Always Be My Maybe and Good Fortune helped audiences see Reeves back in his comedic element, but a perfect testament to his abilities is in Destination Wedding. For this particular dramedy, Reeves relies on his bone-dry delivery, sharp timing, and almost theatrical back-and-forth with Ryder without it feeling grandiose or overdone. His understated approach perfectly complements Ryder’s quicker, more neurotic energy. Together, they create a rhythm that turns even the pettiest arguments into comedic gold, proving that sometimes the funniest moments come from two people simply talking. You can’t help but giggle at how a normally romantic scenario in any other movie comes off as robotic when Reeves delivers a line.
A prime example is when his character Frank describes how Lindsay is attractive thanks to the golden ratio, before he cites a complicated math equation. He describes how her facial features have the Folds of Aphrodite and describes them nonchalantly without much merit. It’s a simple fact: there is no romance nuance, and Reeves makes it convincing. He sees love as an obstacle, with Ryder being just as realistic as he is, but with more carefree charm, and it works. Destination Wedding is one of Reeve’s best when it comes to understanding how he tackles the comedy genre in between all the action-packed roles in his career. Comedic Reeves a bit outlandish, tongue-in-cheek, witty, and dry, but over it all is a subtle warmth that makes his humor feel human rather than performative or scripted.
