Films specifically aimed at women don't fair well against our femininity. Clearly, according to many writers, our main objective is to find love with an ever handsome and ever romantic man, sigh. Even in movies that are solely written, starring and directed by Women (A.K.A The Women,) each main character is a pulled by a puppet master, who is a man. Bridesmaids is a film that is, according to most, a film to change all that with an apparent gross out hilarious chick flick film.
Annie (Kristen Wiig) is a 30 something woman who has hit desperate times; she is caught between one night stands with her "lover," she is living with atrocious flatmates, her Bakery went out of business and she is working miserably in a jeweler's spurning off any couple who comes to buy from her. Her only light is that she has her best friend, Lillian (the fantastic Maya Rudolph) whom they've known since school. However, Lillian is getting married and Annie, as maid of honor, has a lot of contemplate as well as wrangle a mismatch bunch of Bridesmaids especially Helen (Rose Byrne) who is vying not just for maid of honor but the best friend spot. In between meeting cute Irish Police Officer (Chris O'Dowd) and her rapidly disappearing self esteem, Annie must find her place and claw back her life.
Bridesmaids is, on the whole, a great film. Instead of Annie desperately hoping for a man, it is friendship that is craved for here and as Annie feels that she is losing grip on her and Lillian's relationship, the intense rivalry between new gal Helen is throttled straight into ploys and plots. With a fantastic cast including brilliant support from Melinda McCarthy (Sookie from Gilmore Girls) and Mad Men's John Hamm, the emotional fragility of Wiig's Annie and the stellar characters going along for her ride give this move sentiment and heart.
And it is Wiig who is truly the star of the movie having written the screenplay. There is wit and the jokes are very funny whether it is sly insults passed politely between sparring Helen or Annie, married life breakdowns with Rita and Becca, or the hilarious incident at a Wedding dress boutique (one of the more gross out scenes), there are many laughs to be had from Bridesmaids. But also there is a realistic tone, the girls aren't slugging it out in elaborate cat fights but trying secretly to undercut the over woman. The film is wonderfully written with charm and realism that we girls have all felt when losing a friend.
However, the film builds up with too many scenario's between Annie, Helen and Lillian that the ending and conclusion end quickly or doesn't seem to really end. In fact, apart from a few obvious cliche happy chick flick ending, the films ends quite depressingly. Annie still hasn't got a job, she is still living with unwanted housemates, she still had a failing business and now her best friend is married and off to live miles away in Chicago. Also some plots go way under the radar as with the other bit Bridesmaids such as the relationship between the newly met Rita and Becca and Meghan (McCarthy)'s romance. There are many question that aren't answered.
The film is hefty at two longs and the scenes that are funny can drag on to the point where they run on too long and become a bit tedious. There is a lot that can be cut from this film; losing most of the tiresome content at still keeping it breathing with plot and fresh originality.
A lot of people have complained about Bridesmaids for it's gross out comedy and for the most part, they needn't worry - there isn't a lot of it and women have those moments too! Other than that Bridesmaids should be hailed and celebrated. For once, Annie isn't all about the man but about how you can unintentionally ruin someones biggest moments or let a friendship slip through your fingers. And that is the beautiful icing on the cake.
3.5/5
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