Review: Hulu Original "Four Weddings and a Funeral"

by Ananya Panchal

Photo courtesy of Hulu

Last Wednesday, September 11, I sat curled up in my tiny Kilachand TwinXL bed and sobbed happy tears as I watched the final episode of Hulu’s miniseries, Four Weddings and A Funeral.

Tons of entertainment makes me cry––even Bachelor in Paradise brings out the hopeless romantic in me. So when I say I spouted tears each Wednesday night for the past couple months, it really shouldn’t be a surprise. However, no show has repeatedly taken my emotions on a complete rollercoaster with each 60 minute episode.

The 10-episode series is inspired by, but loosely related to, the 1994 classic rom-com film Four Weddings and a Funeral. To be quite honest, co-executive producers Mindy Kaling and Matt Warburton really only took the film’s name and genre and created a TV show with it. The series premiered July 31.

The show follows four friends from college as they navigate their professional and personal adult lives in London. Protagonist (and somehow, sometimes, also antagonist) Maya, played by Nathalie Emannuel, is an American political consultant and aspiring speech-writer. Her storyline begins in New Jersey at the end of a messy relationship with her boss, lover, politician and jerk, Ted. Stuck and confused with life, she moves to London to join her best friends Ainsley (Rebecca Rittenhouse), Duffy (John Reynolds) and Craig (Brandon Mychal Smith). Somewhere along the way, she falls in love with investment banker Kash Khan, played by Nikesh Patel, who happens to be Ainsley’s boyfriend at the time. Their complicated love story pans out over the course of the 10 episodes and culminates in a predictable happy ending, which is exactly what I needed and wanted.

Patel’s character is charmingly stubborn, witty and charismatic. Although he is far from the traditional “Prince Charming,” Kash checks off every item to being a rom-com hero. Crashing a wedding? Check! Defying cultural stereotypes? Check! Following his unorthodox dreams? Check! Impulse decision making that leads to a classic airport scene? Check (with a bit of a twist)! He is, in my opinion, the absolute star of the show and deserves to be America and Britain’s new heartthrob––he already is mine.

Every other main character is also just as well-developed. Duffy’s dorkiness, Craig’s confidence, Ainsley’s affection and Gemma’s (Zoe Boyle) grace all complement each other so well as their own plotlines intersect.

Four Weddings and a Funeral really is a modern take on classic rom-coms. It subtly but effectively touches on political issues like LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and racism. With the lead actor and actress being two shades of brown that “normally don't get to be in a love story together” the cast considers the show to be groundbreaking in the entertainment industry, and just like the original movie, also a win for LGBTQ+ representation.

Although there has been talk about a second season, nothing is confirmed. I can confidently say this is my new favorite TV show, so, Mindy Kaling, if you’re listening, please write me another 10 episodes.