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| Bridesmaids, 2011, Paul Feig |
The Gist
A comedy about the coming-of-middle-age drama that a person can have littered with affecting and real characters, Bridesmaids is a film with a punch, an oomph, and a genuine heart. Its own brand of humor, though not always high above there, is guaranteed to work.
The Good
- affecting characters, relatable and real
- great script; humor is incredibly good
- good acting
The Bad
- use of gross humor may not appeal to everyone
- not a lot of recognizable stars used, may be an off-putting factor for some
Synopsis
Annie (Wiig) was only too delighted when she found out that her childhood bestfriend Lillian (Rudolph) is getting married and that she has been selected as the maid of honor. What with nothing right happening in her life right now (her bakery closing down after the recession, losing her boyfriend, losing all her savings, being involved with an uncommitting single man, and working as a sales clerk in a jewerly shop), this is nothing but a welcome relief from all the plunge she's been having. During the preparations for the wedding, Annie meets the other bridesmaids: the perky Becca (Kemper), the hungry angry tired Rita (McLendon-Covey), the spirited Megan (McCarthy), and the beautiful Helen (Byrne). Throughout the whole preparation, Helen and Annie continue to argue on how to prepare for the wedding, with Helen almost always stealing and outdoing Annie's ideas. And while the whole ordeal of the wedding preparation is going on, Annie continues her descent to rock-bottom, which tests her faith in herself and in her friendship with Lillian.
There's Something About Annie
Kristen Wiig is just so charming here in her own screwed up "Carrie Bradshaw" way. Where Carrie makes The Annie she plays mirrors certain types of people who are really wonderful beings but don't see it and instead choose to screw up their lives. And basically, the whole film is like a de-glamourized Sex and The City with a character whose main goal in life is to make poor choices and mope about it. In a way, Annie is charming and annoying, and she alone runs this show. And until you're there watching the movie, you wouldn't know how compelling Wiig can be.
The Next Sweetest Thing
The movie gave its lead star, Wiig, enough floor to shine, but that didn't stop the others from being equally charming. Byrne had her screen time as the movie's main antagonist by simply being so enviable, rich, successful, and scene-stealing, she's evil. McCarthy plays an angst-ridden tomboy who's just about as annoying as she is surprising. Let's not also forget the men in the background: Chris O'Dowd plays a charming British policeman, Nathan Rhodes, and Jon Hamm's portrayal of Ted couldn't be any more detestable.
Some gags are reminiscent of Cameron Diaz-starrer The Sweetest Thing, and I can't help shake off seeing some Sex and the City wit and writing here and there--just like how Wiig talks to herself from time to time when she speaks out her mind to herself--probably also because the movie has women on the forefront. Working hand in hand with the well-written script and punchlines is the equally fluid narration. It's neither too fast nor too slow, though for some scenes, you kind of get the point and you wish they hurry up and show you the next ones already. The plot and execution is effective in a way that you will both hate and empathize the lead character, and makes for an affecting movie.
The only problem with Bridesmaids? Well, there's the relatively unknown cast. It's like watching an HBO TV-movie for some. None of my officemates apparently know Kristen Wiig and that can be off-putting for them. I mean sure, she's pretty big in Saturday Night Live, but for those who don't know she exists, and most of the other cast members for that matter, why would one watch this movie? Then again, so was Superbad when it was released in cinemas.
Anyway, so was Bridesmaids a success? A resounding yes. Would I force my friends to watch it? A louder yes to that.
Some gags are reminiscent of Cameron Diaz-starrer The Sweetest Thing, and I can't help shake off seeing some Sex and the City wit and writing here and there--just like how Wiig talks to herself from time to time when she speaks out her mind to herself--probably also because the movie has women on the forefront. Working hand in hand with the well-written script and punchlines is the equally fluid narration. It's neither too fast nor too slow, though for some scenes, you kind of get the point and you wish they hurry up and show you the next ones already. The plot and execution is effective in a way that you will both hate and empathize the lead character, and makes for an affecting movie.
The only problem with Bridesmaids? Well, there's the relatively unknown cast. It's like watching an HBO TV-movie for some. None of my officemates apparently know Kristen Wiig and that can be off-putting for them. I mean sure, she's pretty big in Saturday Night Live, but for those who don't know she exists, and most of the other cast members for that matter, why would one watch this movie? Then again, so was Superbad when it was released in cinemas.
Anyway, so was Bridesmaids a success? A resounding yes. Would I force my friends to watch it? A louder yes to that.
My verdict:
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