Review of Bridesmaids (2011) by Joanna B — 01 Mar 2016

Exploring the secret desires, wants and fears of women the world over, set in the vein of Hangover Franchise, Bridesmaids replaces the concept of male pre-wedding antics in favour of an unflattering look at women and their love-hate relationships whilst in pre-weeding mode. A hilariously course comedy about friendship, love, laughs and jealousy, Bridemaid's is more than just a chick-flick.

Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph) have been best friends since childhood, sharing everything and embracing life's ups and downs together. Now entering their early 30's, their paths have become quite different.

As a failed small business owner of a wonderful patisserie, Annie's life is on an out-of-control downward spiral. When not pining over her old venture, she 'works' an unsatisfactory dead-end job at a jewellery shop, endures uncomfortable encounters with her disrespectful roommates and mildly enjoys awkward "adult sleepovers" with her handsome sex-buddy but not boyfriend Ted (Jon Hamm).

After a particularly heinous day, Annie meets up with Lillian for a girly night, only to receive news that is the icing on her dreadful cake. Sparkling rock on display, Lillian announces she is getting married and of course Annie is to be her maid of honour. After the obligatory thrilled hugging, it is obvious Annie is a little reluctant for the enormous responsibilities, but embraces the role for her BFF.

Attending the engagement party, Annie is introduced to Lillian's rag-tag bridal party when her nose is completely put out of joint in meeting Lillian's futures husbands boss's wife, the wealthy, skinny, attractive and sumptuously dressed new perfect friend Helen (Rose Byrne).

Instantly threatened for the Lillian's affection's, her role in the wedding and the ultimate BFF title, a rivalry between the two breaks out a series of inappropriate and non happy-wedding conducive situations leaving Lillian disgruntled and Annie maid of dishonour.

Adding insult to injury, Annie is pulled over for a broken taillight by an officer Rhodes (Chris O'Dowd), a likeable crumpled Irishman who remembers and loves her pastries, letting her off with a warning things might just get better, but is Annie her own worst enemy? Will Lillian make it down the isle with her bridal party in tact? Can Helen and Annie co-exist?

Playing out as a loosely drawn string of Saturday Night Live (SNL) skits, Bridesmaids is an overly crass offering of gross-out slapstick gags employing elements from high fashion to toilet humour. The sharply satirical screenplay has great foundations in situational comedy but meanders and the 125 minute film drags losing momentum in bad editing.

SNL's Kristen Wiig is well casted in first leading role, with good timing and a wonderful personal balance between her self-deprecating style and deadpan charm, her character Annie is endearing. Aussie Rose Byrne is well cast, embracing the snotty-rich-bitch character and finally fitting into a role. However, the stand-out scene stealer is Melissa McCarthy, playing Lillian's overtly sexual soon-to-be sister-in-law.

With men sidelined in the plot, the improvisational tragic humor explodes in some rather unique scenes for a female movie including a washbasin used as a toilet, an off-the-rails rant leaving a demolished cookie at an expensive engagement party and some bizarre unnecessary scenes with some English flat mates. None of which seem to reach expected heights.

The Verdict: As Annie tries to get Officer Rhodes attention by speeding, illegal phone use, drinking, U-turns and texting, Bridesmaids tries to get our attention with women hitting rock bottom. I am sad to say, for me this movie was rock bottom, however in the interest of writing and unbiased review, my movie going gal-pal adored it and came out saying "I've got to see that again" "that's definitely one for my DVD collection" in which I admit I scoffed at. In this case, the bouquet is in your court.

Published: The Queanbeyan Age.

Date of Publication: 24/06/2011.