Director Paul Fieg and producer Judd Apatow team-up again for this comedy that stars Kristen Wiig as Annie, a romantically unattached failed bakery owner who fears she's losing her BFF, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), the best thing in her life, when Lillian announces she's gotten engaged. Annie's anxieties deepen as Lillian grows close to Helen (Rose Byrne), a wealthy and beautiful new friend who quickly assumes control of planning all the pre-wedding festivities. On top of the main storyline of a female friendship being torn apart, the movie adds a romantic storyline for Annie, who starts the film answering a booty call from the casually cruel yet undeniably handsome Ted (Jon Hamm), but develops a lovely flirtation with an Irish cop named Rhodes (Chris O'Dowd) after he pulls Annie over one night thinking she's driving drunk. As the low-self-esteem Annie sabotages this new possibility for love, she also feels the most important friendship in her life slipping away. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
Women have always known that women are funny, particularly when the scripts are written by women for women. The film Bridesmaids, written by Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo, is a good example of this. I suppose my biggest surprise is that we are debating this in 2011.
Wiig brings her physical qualities, as well as her comedic timing and charm, to the film; these are the qualities that have made her SNL tenure delightful for its audience. Her writing partner, Mumolo, makes an appearance in the film as Wiig's seatmate on an airplane. This scene is so funny and so believable. Her physical comedy reminds one of - dare I say - Lucille Ball and/or Carol Burnette.
One initially wants to describe this film as the female version of The Hangover, but it is so much more than that. It is smarter and wittier. There is no need to rely on alcoholic black-outs, car chases, guns, kidnappings, hookers, or mistaken identities to get laughs. This is more about everyday life as we know it and live it. This is not to say they don't go for the belly laughs. They do. Get over it.
This is not a chick flick in the traditional definition. In my view, a chick flick would be any movie with the actress of the moment laughing at women instead of with women. Why do we laugh with women? Because they are smart and funny and we can identify. Any guy who thinks this film is only a chick flick is going to miss out on a good time.
For those women who think it is too raunchy - yes, there is bathroom humor - let me say this: women have been sitting through movies about men and their bathroom jokes for decades. If that is all you can see in this scene, you may be missing the point. I saw a big poke to the high-brow, totally over-the-top, pretentious wedding industry. And, I loved it.
For those women who thought it was too traditional and that its only message was that a woman was not complete without a man, let me say this: again, you may be missing the point. The strongest messages in this movie were about female friendship and about pulling up oneself when one is down. The men and the grooms were secondary to the strong bonds between women.
Lastly, let me just mention Maya Rudolph. Oh, Maya Rudolph. You are wonderful! And, Jill Clayburgh. We miss you.
***** (five of five stars)
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