Bridesmaids (2011) review

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Comparisons will undoubtedly be drawn between Bridesmaids and hit TV show Sex and the City – there’s no escaping it; both centre on a group of women together in a comedy. That is, of course, until the film is watched and people realise that such comparisons are only skin-deep. More in tone with the surge of revamped ‘bromance’ films, there’s more to Bridesmaids than meets the eye. Coincidently, Judd Apatow himself actually produced this film, so, in a sense, it could be seen as his way of apologising for what audiences had to go through with such bromances.
Bridesmaids focuses on Annie (SNL’s Kristen Wiig, who also co-wrote the film), whose life takes a turn for the worse after being forced to close a bakery she opened during the recession with her now ex-boyfriend. To make things even worse she is asked by her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) to be the maid of honour at her wedding… What could possibly go wrong?
The humour in Bridesmaids is not formulaic; it uses a lot of different styles, making for a fun and over-the-top treat. There’s a lot of physical comedy and this only succeeds because of the real star of the film, Kristen Wiig. A superb actress, especially in the comedy genre, without someone like Wiig it’s hard to see how the film would have succeeded. There’s also a lot of gross-out humour which naturally feels juvenile but, unlike a lot of comedy that takes this approach, Bridesmaids succeeds more than it should because it doesn’t let itself get caught up in this style, branching instead into others. Overall the comedy may not be consistent but it does try pretty darn hard to keep it up throughout.
Although it does occasionally follow convention it is obvious that the filmmakers didn’t want to indulge too much with stereotype, trying instead to change a little of the dull formula audiences have come to expect from female-orientated comedy films. Refreshingly Bridesmaids doesn’t try to be a romance film, the script instead making romance fit neatly in with everything else.
Any naysayers who ever said ‘women can’t be funny’ should really be forced to see this film. Bridesmaids is not just a full on comedy – it has a charming heart and characters you can actually relate to. It even manages to do this without being corny or cringe-worthy.
Best moment |
The plane journey where Annie ends up taking sleeping pills with a scotch and things take a turn for the worse. |
Best character |
It's a toss-up between Annie and Megan. |
Best dialogue |
Annie: "What kind of a name is 'Stove' anyway? What, are you like a kitchen appliance or something?". Flight Attendant Steve: "No. My name is Steve and I'm a man". Annie: "You are a flight attendant". |
Trivia |
Bridesmaids marks the final film for actress Jilly Clayburgh, (Running with Scissors, Silver Streak) who passed away in November last year. She plays Annie’s mother. |
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