After seeing Bridesmaids, I feel compelled to address this review to men who might be reading it for one of two reasons: 1. They’ve heard it’s funny, but are worried about being overwhelmed by the female mushiness inherent to a film called Bridesmaids, or 2. Their significant others are dying to see it, and they’re wondering whether they should go along, or develop a spontaneous illness.
Gentlemen: You’ll be okay. Go.
Yes, this is a “chick flick”, about BFFs, weddings, and romance. But it’s also a very funny film that appeals to both sexes. Producer Judd Apatow knows a thing or two about combining romance with immature hijinks (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up), director Paul Feig maintains a good balance between the two, and co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo deliver a smartly-written story about losing it all and finding it again.
Wiig stars as Annie, a woman who has suffered a few setbacks of late. She’s lost all her money in a failed bakery venture, shares an apartment with two British oddballs (Matt Lucas, Rebel Wilson), and can’t resist the attraction to her massively narcissistic boyfriend Ted (Jon Hamm). Her only saving grace seems to be her lifelong friendship with Lillian (Maya Rudolph), and now even that’s in jeopardy, since Lil has just gotten engaged. She asks Annie to be her maid-of-honour, which of course Annie accepts, even knowing the financial pressure that planning a bridal shower will put her under.
Annie’s fear over losing Lillian is driven home even further when she meets fellow bridesmaid Helen (Rose Byrne), a wealthy housewife who seems to be everything Annie isn’t. Immediately, Annie and Helen begin competing over planning the shower.
I know, Gentlemen – on paper, this doesn’t look promising. But this is a film in the grand comedic tradition that anything Annie tries to do will fail, in spectacular fashion. And in an Apatow film, this means many scenes that simply have to be seen to be believed. This is a film with enough coarse language, bodily-function humour and wildly inappropriate situations that it can’t simply be “one for the girls.”
In her comedy work on Saturday Night Live, I’ve always been a bit frustrated with Wiig. She’s most definitely talented, but her characters are so universally outrageous it’s hard to identify with her. In Annie, I finally get the performance I want – grounded in reality, a woman trying her best to deal with a life that’s kicking her when she’s down. This is a perfect foundation for Wiig to layer her wild comedy on, and it’s an excellent performance.
The other bridesmaids (Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper) are little more than caricatures, especially McCarthy, who will be unfairly compared to Zach Galifianakis’ character in The Hangover. But director Feig wisely keeps the story away from them, so that they add to the mix instead of detract. And Chris O’Dowd does a great job as Officer Rhodes, Annie’s possible new love interest.
Gentlemen, Bridesmaids will do nothing for you if you’re the type who crushes beer cans and lists Jackass as a favourite movie. But if you’re at all on the fence, check it out. I think you’ll like it.
Tags: movie review
About the author: David Raitt
David Raitt is a writer and lover of pop culture. He lives in Oakville. He has also worked as an actor for The Second City, and has written, produced and performed his own sketch comedy, including the Canadian Comedy Award-nominated ALL THE RAGE. Semi-retired from performing, he still teaches improv and communications skills to students and corporate groups through his association with The Second City. Check out Dave's website at http://davidraitt.com
Follow
Subscribe