Betsy's Wedding
| Betsy's Wedding | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Alan Alda |
| Written by | Alan Alda |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Kelvin Pike |
| Edited by | Michael E. Polakow |
| Music by | Bruce Broughton |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $19.7 million[1] |
Betsy's Wedding is a 1990 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Alan Alda. The film stars Alda, Joey Bishop, Madeline Kahn, Catherine O'Hara, Joe Pesci, Ally Sheedy, Bibi Besch, Burt Young and Molly Ringwald. It was theatrically released in the United States on June 22, 1990, by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
Plot
Eddie Hopper is a construction contractor from Long Island, New York, and dad of two daughters, Connie and Betsy, who is about to be married. Money is tight in the Hopper household, but Eddie, much to the dismay of his wife, Lola, decides that it is important to throw a lavish wedding to impress the wealthy family of Betsy's fiancé Jake Lovell. Everyone in the family is throwing advice Eddie's way, even his father's ghost.
A new house Eddie is building is adding to his financial and emotional woes. In desperation, he turns to his corrupt brother-in-law, Oscar Henner, who ends up getting Eddie involved with loan sharks. Stevie Dee is sent to keep an eye on Eddie, but instead turns his gaze to Connie, who is a police officer. Betsy's wedding ultimately goes ahead as planned but is disrupted by a torrential downpour of rain.
Cast
- Alan Alda as Eddie Hopper
- Joey Bishop as Mr. Hopper
- Madeline Kahn as Lola Hopper
- Anthony LaPaglia as Stevie Dee
- Catherine O'Hara as Gloria Henner
- Joe Pesci as Oscar Henner
- Molly Ringwald as Betsy Hopper
- Ally Sheedy as Connie Hopper
- Burt Young as Georgie
- Julie Bovasso as Rose Hopper
- Nicolas Coster as Harry Lovell
- Bibi Besch as Nancy Lovell
- Dylan Walsh as Jake Lovell
- Camille Saviola as Angelica Hopper
- Allan Rich as Nate Tobias
- Sully Boyar as Morris
- Frankie Faison as Zack Monroe
- Tom Mardirosian as Dale Delahaas
- Larry Block as Barber
- Helen Hanft as Fitter
- Samuel L. Jackson as Mickey
Production
The plot was reportedly inspired by the marriage of Alan Alda's youngest daughter Beatrice.
Reception
Critical response
Betsy's Wedding received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it has an approval rating of 56% based on reviews from 16 critics.[2] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 52 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "mixed or average" critics.[3] Reviews of the film included comments such as "threadbare concoction",[4] "narcissism flourishing like ragweed" and "unctuous".[5]
Betsy's Wedding has been cited as launching the film career of Anthony LaPaglia.[6] Joe Pesci was asked about the film in interviews and declined to discuss it.
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991
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Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Most Promising Actor | Anthony LaPaglia | Nominated | [7] |
| Golden Raspberry Awards | Worst Actress | Molly Ringwald | Nominated | [8] | |
| Worst Supporting Actress | Ally Sheedy | Nominated |
References
- ^ "Betsy's Wedding (1990)". The Numbers. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ "Betsy's Wedding (1990)". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ "Betsy's Wedding Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ Benson, Sheila (June 22, 1990). "MOVIE REVIEW : Alan Alda's Talents Spread Too Thin in 'Betsy's Wedding'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Rea, Steven (July 1, 1990). "Newcomer Is the Life of 'Betsy's Wedding' the Film Hasn't Won Raves from Critics, But Anthony LaPaglia Has Caught Their Eye". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
- ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (April 26, 1991). "At the Movies". The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
- ^ "1988-2013 Award Winner Archives". Chicago Film Critics Association. January 1, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "11th Golden Raspberry Awards". Golden Raspberry Awards. Archived from the original on February 21, 2006.