Bridesmaids-2011

Director Paul Feig

Starring Kristen Wiig

Top 250 Films #216

Scott’s Review #784

Reviewed July 6, 2018

Grade: A

Although raunchy romantic comedies aren’t my favorite genre, and I’m not much of a fan of Judd Apatow (a producer of several films like this), Bridesmaids (2011) is easily the best of its kind.

Influential in a multitude of female empowerment-themed comedies that followed, this one is witty, genuine, and funny because of its star, Kristen Wiig, who also co-wrote the film.

It is one of the best comedies (if not the best) of the decade.

Apatow is known mainly for producing comedy films that mix in the standard potty humor for cheap laughs. He is responsible for This Is 40 (2012) and Trainwreck (2015), both of which I found moderately funny, but they are also needlessly gross-out and tired.

My point is that, minus the talents of Wiig (both in front of and behind the camera), Bridesmaids would likely have been as mediocre as these films. Instead, Bridesmaids is a wonderful, uproarious experience with a star who captures a moment.

My one gnawing gripe is that a woman shouldn’t direct a film about women.

Annie (Wiig) is asked to serve as the maid of honor at her best friend Lillian’s (Maya Rudolph) upcoming wedding. Rather than being thrilled, Annie is depressed due to an ongoing string of bad luck.

Her bakery business fails, she loses her unfulfilling job at a jewelry store, she is dating a jerk (Jon Hamm), and her car is about to die. She has difficult roommates and is on the verge of moving back in with her mother at age thirty-five.

The story hilariously follows Annie’s rivalry with Helen (Rose Byrne), Lillian’s soon-to-be husband’s boss’s controlling wife. Helen is intent on taking over the wedding planning, much to Annie’s chagrin.

The ladies compete to one-up each other throughout the film- Rose is the perfect princess for Annie’s grit and cynicism.

Annie struggles with her issues, unhappy with her love life, when she meets police officer Rhodes (Chris O’Dowd), and they begin a tender friendship. However, their attraction is tested by Annie’s shenanigans.

Annie must then fly to Las Vegas with the other bridesmaids despite being terrified of flying.

Despite the story being nothing new, seen dozens of times before in romantic comedy history (the setups), the film is a laugh-out-loud riot. In addition to Wiig, Rudolph, and Byrne, the rest of the ladies have tremendous chemistry.

Special kudos go to Melissa McCarthy in her fearless role as Megan, a tomboy misfit who somehow ends up in the wedding party. With her “tell it like it is” attitude, the actress sinks her teeth into this fabulous role without crossing the line into ridiculousness.

In rip-roaring fashion, multiple scenes are permanently etched in my mind.

After Annie suggests a Brazilian steak restaurant for lunch, followed by a fitting at a chic dress shop, the girls suffer from food poisoning. This results in torrents of diarrhea scenes and one unlucky character being reduced to going to the bathroom in the middle of the street.

The scene, while super raunchy, is hilarious and fraught with perfect comic timing.

Not to be outdone, the airplane scene is equally tremendous; however, the scene belongs to Wiig rather than the entire ensemble. Forced to fly coach while everyone else gets first class, Annie unwisely accepts a pill from Helen to calm her during the flight.

Instead, Annie becomes belligerent and wild when she mixes the sedative with alcohol.

As good as the supporting cast is, Wiig owns the film from start to finish. Every scene she is in and each line she utters is perfectly timed. Wiig’s improvisation (the scene in the jewelry store) is evident and only adds to the film’s genuine feel.

To Wiig’s credit, she has since chosen more complicated roles to avoid the risk of being typecast. And a sequel was wisely never made- this would have ruined the appeal.

Bridesmaids (2011) is an authentic story rich with hilarity and crisp dialogue. The film is enhanced a being female-centered and written by women (though the direction and producers, too, would have been better).

Thanks to a tremendous cast led by Wiig, the film is blazing with humor and sparked a firestorm of similar “girl power” films (mostly bad) well into the decade.

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actress-Melissa McCarthy, Best Original Screenplay