We are transitioning to a new mini-series, and we are calling it the Wedding Industrial Complex series.

Movies that don't just have weddings in them, but in which weddings play a major role.

Weddings in marriage are often part of the fabric of rom-cons.

We are choosing movies that put that front and center.

And we are starting in 1997.

In 1997, Julia Roberts was 30 years old and had been starring in rom-coms for a decade.

She had already been in big blockbuster hits, like Mystic Pizza,

which ends at a wedding, steel magnolias, which starts with a wedding, and pretty woman, which I hope

we talk about at some point soon. She had been on the cover of People magazine and at the top of the box office

charts. She was the queen of rom-coms, and with all of that clout behind her, she decided to make

the movie we are discussing today, my best friend's wedding. This is a remarkable choice for the 30-year-old Roberts, because Julianne, the character

she plays in the film, is the bad guy.

America's sweetheart, Julia Roberts, plots, schemes, lies, and manipulates in this fantastic

movie, using all of Roberts's megawatt charm to distract us from

the fact that she is playing the villain. The movie starts with Julianne at dinner with

George, played by a young and gorgeous Rupert Everett. George is Julianne's gay best friend and editor.

Apparently, the 27-year-old Julianne is already a successful food critic,

feared by top chefs and with a book tour behind her.

Julianne is telling George about her straight best friend, Michael.

She and Michael met in college.

They dated for one hot month.

They stayed friends and promised they would marry each other if neither was married by 28.

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