Neither the Oscar- winning expertise of Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland”) nor the charm of America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”) can save “Our Family Wedding,” a cringeworthy, unfunny example of a culture-clash romantic comedy.
African-American and Hispanic stereotypes assault the audience in this latest awful descendant of the ancient farce “Abie’s Irish Rose,” directed with sledgehammer subtlety by Rick Famuyiwa (“The Wood”).
Whitaker is a womanizing radio personality and father of the groom, who first encounters the bride’s Mexican-American father (awkwardly portrayed by stand-up comic Carlos Mencia) when the latter is hooking his Mercedes to a tow truck.
Chaos erupts, not for the last time, when they are formally introduced and trade insults at a restaurant dinner during which their children (Ferrera and a bland Lance Gross) announce their engagement — much to horror of both families.
This supposed comedy runs through every cliché in the book, from Whitaker ignoring his long-suffering BFF lawyer (Regina King) for a series of young white squeezes to the bride’s wacky, Spanish-spouting aunt (Lupe Ontiveros).
True to formula, this alleged comedy contrives to temporarily separate the engaged couple even as their parents (Diana-Maria Riva plays Mencia’s husband) work out their own romantic issues. Subtlety isn’t exactly the strong suit of “Our Family Wedding,” which manages to work Viagra, a live goat and a mariachi band into its sentimental climax.