'I'm orange and you're apple, but above all we're fruit.' It's one of the classic lines from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. My Big Fat Greek Wedding deals with the encounters of Greek culture and American culture . The leading role named Toula though was born and lived in America, however, she was set in a Greek family background, which made her look rather different from other students in clothes, food, language, or something else all through her teens. When 30 years old, Toula appeared dirty and fat, and miserably unmarried, which worried her parents a lot. It's was after Toula decided to have a change that she broke her stubborn father's rule to study computer technology at college and then work at a travel agency instead of spending the rest of her life in her father's restaurant. Also,learning how to make up and changing wearing styles turned Toula into a charming lady. And soon she fell in love with a handsome American man called Ian, teaching at college. But their relationship was no smooth since great culture shock existed between the two completely different families. Toula was told again and again that all nice greek girls are supposed to do 3 things in life: marry great boys, make great babies, and feed everyone. Also, great boys only refer to Greek guys. Toula's father, a totally religious Greek always considering Greek to be the most brilliant and accentuating that Greek is the birthplace of the world's culture, didn't want Toula to leave him, on the other hand, urged Toula to marry, of course, a good Greek man. In his eyes, a good boy must come to ask for his permission before dating his daughter. Besides,Ian's appearance even eating habits did violence to Greek traditions. Ian was a vegetarian, which was almost unbelievable to Greeks who would never discomfort their stomach and will manage to be always full even until the last day of the world. Toula had 27 cousins while Ian only 2. Even the meeting of both parents ran into lots of trouble and dilemma. When Ian's parents came into Toula's house, they were so surprised to see such a large number of invited relatives. At the party, Ian's parents remained dizzy and all at a loss. For many times, Ian was tricked and laughed at for his little knowledge of the Greek language. Even though full of challenge, Ian and Toula went through all barriers, won their parents' acquiescence, and married as Toula's father demanded, at a Greek church,in the manner of a traditional Greek Wedding. Yeah, as Toula's father said at the wedding, I'm orange and you're apple, but above all we're fruits. Toula and Ian came from two absolutely different backgrounds, but they ended up with a happy marriage. Cultural encounters ran through the whole film. However, a happy ending was shown on the screen. I figure that it indicates a view that cultural encounters were unavoidable and sometimes rather suffering, but to some degree, cultural diversity made the world colorful, interesting, and joyful. In addition, cultural shocks are unnecessarily unable to solve. No one, even in the same region, the same country, the same city, the same family, is completely the same as anyone else, that's to say, the difference comes into existence anytime anywhere. Only understanding, respect,adaptation, and tolerance can solve the conflicts in between. Toula and Ian, orange and apple, their combination is a golden example! A review written by our English teacher
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