Written by Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live) and Annie Mumolo (The Groundlings), Bridesmaids is a wild comedy that not only touches on bitter female jealousy, but also teaches us the strengths of a lifelong friendship between females.
Guys, be warned, this chick flick is filled with coarse language that might make a sailor blush, hilarity and tacky situations that both sexes will enjoy. Producer Judd Apatow dredges up elements from his previous blockbusters (The 40 Year Old Virginand Knocked Up) for Bridesmaids.
Wiig is undoubtedly a talented writer-cum-comedian and this time round, she is confident of making use of that comic opportunity by portraying her character, Annie, as horrifically awful.
Annie (Kristen Wiig) started off as a woman who suffered setbacks, like losing her money in an unsuccessful bakery venture, sharing her apartment with 2 ‘weirdos’, Gil (Matt Lucas) and his sister Brynn (Rebel Wilson), and having a non-satisfying sexual relationship with her narcissistic boyfriend Ted (Jon Hamm). Only her best friend Lilian (Maya Rudolph) keeps her sane by giving advice on her life.
And now the best and worst (mostly worst) time of Annie’s life approaches, when Lilian is engaged to her boyfriend, whom she had been dating for years. Annie gets to be her maid-of-honour, naturally, but that’s not as good a thing as you might think.
Because Lilian has friends – other Bridesmaids- whom Annie has no clue about. Joining in the planning of Lilian’s wedding are rich Helen (Rose Byrne), the groom’s sister Megan (Melissa McCarthy), innocent Becca (Ellie Kemper) and Rita (Wendy McLendon-Covey).
Annie’s worry isn’t prepping for the bridal shower or the bachelorette’s party, butcompetitive Helen who is bent on ruining Annie’s reputation in Lilian’s eyes. The rivalry between both ladies consumes a great segment of the film but it all zooms down to Annie whose insecurity leads her to destroying her own friendship with Lilian.
Along the way, she came across Officer Rhodes (Chris O’Dowd), a charming police officer who takes an interest in her but was ‘dumped’ by Annie in the middle of the show.
The characters in this film are very different aspects but this is what makes the film work, as each actress showcases their acting skills and leaves us with a strong ensemble piece.
A scene where Megan visits Annie, who has caused chaos in Lilian’s bridal shower, gives us a applause-worthy performance by McCarthy (Megan) when Megan steps out of the group of bridesmaids and snapped Annie out of her life simply by saying, “I’m your friend”. It’s a sublime moment.
When asked about a sequel, director Paul Feig said: “It would have to be better than Bridesmaids to make another one.”
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Movie: Bridesmaids
Rating: 4/5
Opens: 21st July 2011
Duration: 124 minutes
Language: English
Age Rating: M18
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Chris O’Dowd, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Melissa McCarthy, Matt Lucas, Jill Clayburgh, Rebel Wilson, Michael Hitchcock