While there are moments in “You’re Cordially Invited” that may seem entertaining if you really focus, like Reese Witherspoon beating her chest like King Kong and declaring herself a “chaos monkey,” or Will Ferrell wrestling a ridiculously fake alligator, the overall experience falls flat.

The film, written and directed by Nicholas Stoller, lacks the clever charm of his earlier works like “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Neighbors.” “You’re Cordially Invited” (★½ out of four; rated R; now streaming on Prime Video) feels like one of the most awkward weddings you’ve ever attended. The tone frequently shifts from forced heartfelt moments to outright meanness, and despite a few funny scenes and quirky side characters, even two major stars feel lost in this confusing narrative.

Jim (played by Ferrell) is a devoted father, skilled in baking and household duties, who has raised his daughter Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan) alone after his wife passed away. When she visits with her boyfriend Oliver (Stony Blyden) to announce her surprise engagement, Jim, being supportive, decides to have their wedding at the same picturesque island inn where he and his late wife tied the knot.

Margot (Witherspoon) is a successful reality TV producer with a strained relationship with her unusual Southern family, except for her younger sister Neve (Meredith Hagner). When Margot learns that Neve is engaged to her Chippendale boyfriend Dixon (Jimmy Tatro) and pregnant, she impulsively plans their wedding at the same location where she spent time with her grandmother as a child, not knowing it’s also booked by Jim.

It turns out both weddings are scheduled for the same day, much to the frustration of Leslie (Jack McBrayer), the overworked manager of the inn. As Jim struggles to connect with Jenni and Margot finds herself as the black sheep of her family, tensions rise. After some disagreement, they agree to split the venue, but the stress, bad weather, misunderstandings, and an open bar result in a chaotic competition to sabotage each other’s ceremonies.

If the film had committed to either dark satire or lighthearted romance, it might have fared better. The blend of the two genres fails, as does the chemistry between the leads. Ferrell and Witherspoon struggle to develop a believable relationship, whether as allies or adversaries, leading to perplexing narrative choices. The supporting cast, however, brings some laughs: Tatro provides grounded wisdom, Leanne Morgan steals scenes as Margot’s raunchy older sister, and Celia Weston shines as their tough-love mom.

Some scenes hint at Ferrell’s awkward, quirky charm reminiscent of his previous hits like “Anchorman,” “Wedding Crashers,” and “Old School,” including an oddly uncomfortable daddy-daughter duet of “Islands in the Stream” (which recurs throughout the film). More often than not, Jim comes off as unlikable, while Jenni is only slightly more relatable — a departure from the endearing, goofy persona Ferrell usually portrays.

“You’re Cordially Invited” attempts to balance screwball comedy with cringe-inducing moments but struggles to find a coherent tone. It resembles an NFL legend attempting to sing a classic duet, resulting in a painfully awkward experience.