Guys shouldn’t have all the grossout fun, right?
“Bridesmaids” fuses the standard rom-com template with comedy producer Judd Apatow’s signature humor. The result is a Frankenstein’s Monster of a movie crafted from disparate parts that somehow combine to be an absolute hoot.
It’s also the best showcase yet for star Kristen Wiig, the “Saturday Night Live” star who could become the first female A-lister to graduate from the sketch comedy show.
Wiig stars as Annie, a failed entrepreneur stuck in a dead end job with a jerk of a beau (Jon Hamm). Her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudulph) just got engaged, igniting a cascade of emotions in Annie. She’s delighted for her friend, naturally, but she’s a bit jealous and concerned with how the bridal obligations will play out.
Annie sees a real threat in Helen (Rose Byrne), Lillian’s gorgeous new pal who seems eager to strip Annie’s maid of honor status away. It’s all a pretext for some serious female bonding, a grossout scene for the ages and an uncomfortable fusion of comedy genres.
“Bridesmaids” isn’t “The Hangover,” as much as the pre-release buzz suggested. It’s Wiig’s movie gussied up as an ensemble comedy, and for all the promised shenanigans we see little of the titular Bridesmaids in action – at least en masse. Wiig’s character is suitably pathetic, but when her jealous streak flares the movie wobbles. Wiig, who co-wrote the script, risks losing our sympathies in the process. Good thing the actress’ natural grace makes sure the bond between actress and audience bends but doesn’t break.
That said, it’s hard to see why Lillian would want to stay pals with Annie. The same holds true for the new man in Annie’s life, played by comic actor Chris O’Dowd. The “Gulliver’s Travels” co-star turns in a vulnerable performance that makes it hard to believe he’s smitten with a train wreck like Annie.
Melissa McCarthy anchors most of the bad girl humor as the loud and proud Megan. She may be Rubenesque, but she’s mentally healthier than any other Bridesmaid. Byrne is one seriously overlooked actress, and she can handle comedy when given the chance. But her character isn’t written well enough to matter. She’s there to prod Annie into a near-emotional breakdown, nothing more.
Wiig is firmly in control here, and there’s not a reaon on earth why she shouldn’t be the next “SNL” alum to make it big at the movies. She’s beautiful, too, clad in short-short skirts as if audiences wouldn’t otherwise embrace a female comic.
Director Paul Feig (“Freaks and Geeks”) stages the comic antics as well as any of his peers, never pulling any punches simply because it’s a bunch of gals getting gross.
“Bridesmaids” won’t go down as a comedy classic despite some super-sized laughs. It might just be the movie to introduce audiences to Wiig at long last.
(Photo: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy and Ellie Kemper stars in “Bridesmaids.” In the comedy, Wiig plays Annie, a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Lillian (Rudolph), and a group of colorful bridesmaids on a wild ride down the road to matrimony. Universal Pictures)
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s a helluva shade of pink they’re wearing.
I just saw the stars promoting the film on The View. Wiig and Rudolph made a point of saying the film wasn’t the female version of Hangover. Wiig also claims it was her and her friends first attempt at writing a movie script so that could be at least partially to blame for some of it’s problems.
Something else they touched on which I won’t get into here but I’d like to hear your thoughts on it CT is why female comedy writers and actresses have a hard time getting projects where they are the star or driving force behind the scene.
Opus – it’s hard to argue with your latter point. Why have there been no breakout SNL female stars … ever? I thought Tina Fey was it, but she retreated to TV for ‘30 Rock.’ (A great show which jumped the shark last season).
There are enough powerful women in Hollywood to change things … they must use their influence and make it happen. But if “Bridesmaids” flops, the industry will use it as an excuse not to try similar material with women.
I, for one, am not that impressed by Tina Fey’s writing. She’s pretty good, but not fantastic. I believe there are many other just as talented writers, but she is being held up like she’s much more than she is. I prefer Wiig on any given day.
“Ghost Topwn”. Wiig stole every scene she was in and stole them from Ricky Gervais…no easy task.
“Ghost Town”…I need new glasses and thinner fingers…