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Romantic comedy

A Simple Wedding (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

A Simple Wedding (2020) movie poster

A Simple Wedding is a 2020 romantic comedy directed by Sara Zandieh, starring Tara Grammy as Nousha Husseini, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Houshang Touzie. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
Echo Score
71
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A Simple Wedding (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Director
Sara Zandieh
Genres
Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Simple Wedding About?

The premise of A Simple Wedding without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A spirited Iranian-American woman finds herself at odds with her family's traditional expectations as she searches for independence and love. Navigating a complex web of cultural customs and modern desires, she embarks on a hilarious and heartfelt journey. The film explores themes of family, identity, and the challenges of forging one's own path.

A Simple Wedding Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • protest
  • culture clash
  • persian woman
  • mother daughter relationship
  • moving in together
  • man and woman shower together
  • wedding
  • woman's dress catches fire
  • jumping into a pool with clothes on
  • time jump
  • left at the altar
  • nightclub
+5 more
  • disc jockey
  • shared shower
  • jumping into a pool to put out a fire
  • bisexual
  • bisexual man
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Cast & crew

A Simple Wedding Cast & Characters

Tara Grammy leads the cast as Nousha Husseini, with Shohreh Aghdashloo as Ziba Husseini and Houshang Touzie as Reza Husseini. Directed by Sara Zandieh; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Sara Zandieh

More films directed by Sara Zandieh, best-rated first: The Other Zoey, Doin' It, Doin’ It and A Simple Wedding.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Simple Wedding Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Simple Wedding 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

71 /100

A Simple Wedding Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, A Simple Wedding delivers a sincere and engaging romantic comedy experience rooted in cultural interplay. While its straightforward narrative and moderate production values limit cinematic depth, the cast’s genuine chemistry and emotional sincerity sustain audience interest. Critics and viewers note uneven character layers for supporting roles but consistently praise its warm tone and inclusive approach. The pacing feels measured yet occasionally predictable, granting modest entertainment. Ultimately, the film’s approachable charm and cultural insights leave a generally favorable if unextraordinary impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film maintains a competent but unremarkable visual style. The direction emphasizes clear storytelling over stylistic flourishes, and the production design provides authentic cultural details without drawing attention to itself. Editing transitions are smooth but conventional, sustaining narrative flow without visual risks. Overall, the craft supports the story adequately but rarely departs from standard rom-com aesthetics.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the leads deliver warm and believable performances that anchor the film’s sincerity. The chemistry between the central couple is consistently noted as a highlight, and the familial relations introduce authentic emotional stakes. However, some supporting characters, particularly the secondary romantic figures, lack depth and occasionally feel one-dimensional. Overall, the dynamics drive engagement even when certain personalities remain lightly sketched.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Regarding Story & Flow, A Simple Wedding offers a coherent and accessible narrative that prioritizes emotional sincerity over complexity. The plot advances at a measured pace, allowing cultural tensions to unfold organically, though the second act may feel brief and the third act occasionally drags with predictable developments. Originality emerges through the cultural perspective, yet the overall structure adheres closely to familiar rom-com beats. In sum, the story engages but stops short of surprising viewers.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film employs a straightforward sound design and an unobtrusive musical score that support the emotional tone without standing out. Visual composition and color palettes are warm and balanced, reflecting the cultural setting with authenticity, yet they seldom venture into striking imagery. Soundtrack selections complement romantic and comedic moments appropriately. Overall, the sensory elements reliably underpin the narrative but do not leave a lasting aesthetic imprint.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    For Rewatch Factor, the movie’s accessible charm and cultural warmth offer moderate appeal for subsequent viewings. The relatable characters and lighthearted tone may encourage audiences to revisit memorable scenes of family interactions and romantic dialogue. However, the familiar narrative arc and absence of deep thematic complexity limit long-term curiosity. Overall, the film delivers pleasant moments deserving of a second pass but lacks elements that inspire frequent replays.

Plot

A Simple Wedding Plot Summary

What happens in A Simple Wedding from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Nousha Hassani, a determined Iranian-American housing attorney in her early thirties, is making her mark in Los Angeles while steadfastly resisting the idea of marriage. Her parents, Ziba Husseini and Reza Husseini, are relentless in their attempts to match her with traditional suitors, hoping she will find her ideal Persian husband. However, everything changes when Nousha meets Alex Talbot, a delightful bisexual artist and DJ, at a rally protesting against sexism and misogyny.

Full summary

The whole story of A Simple Wedding, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Simple Wedding?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Nousha's profession?

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FAQ

A Simple Wedding FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Simple Wedding, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Simple Wedding?

A Simple Wedding runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was A Simple Wedding released?

A Simple Wedding was released on February 14, 2020.

Who directed A Simple Wedding?

A Simple Wedding was directed by Sara Zandieh.

More films by Sara Zandieh

Who is in the cast of A Simple Wedding?

A Simple Wedding stars Tara Grammy as Nousha Husseini, Shohreh Aghdashloo as Ziba Husseini and Houshang Touzie as Reza Husseini, among 10 credited actors.

How is A Simple Wedding rated?

A Simple Wedding has 5.4/10 on IMDb and 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Does A Simple Wedding have a post-credit scene?

No. A Simple Wedding has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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