Franklin Dean
The 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, starring Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, is a female-driven comedy that centres on the competition between the maid of honour and a bridesmaid, both vying to be the bride's best friend. While the film has been praised for its female-centric narrative and believable characters, it has also been criticised for its predictable character arcs and overreliance on crass humour. Some viewers have also argued that the film is overrated, suggesting that it is being lauded simply because it features a group of women rather than men.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Competition between the maid of honor and a bridesmaid | Threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef |
| Obvious and over-planned jokes | Stuff we've seen ten years ago, but now with a dress |
| Awkward romance with an Irish cop | Takes up too much time |
| Too many women screaming | Makes people want to hurt others |
| Poor acting | Makes it difficult to watch |
| Poor script writing | Makes it a sad piece of garbage |
What You'll Learn
Competition between the maid of honour and a bridesmaid
The maid of honour, typically the bride's closest female confidante, has more duties and responsibilities than the other bridesmaids. She acts as the chief bridesmaid and the bride's main source of emotional support, providing a calming presence and practical help. The maid of honour also plays a crucial role in wedding planning, offering advice and coordinating pre-wedding events such as bridal showers and hen parties. On the wedding day, she is responsible for providing emotional support, helping the bride get ready, and managing the bridal bouquet, veil, and train. She also witnesses the marriage by signing the certificate and may be asked to give a speech or toast at the reception.
Bridesmaids, while also essential, have a more general role in assisting the bride and ensuring the wedding runs smoothly. They are typically close friends, sisters, cousins, or other female relatives of the bride. Their duties include dress shopping with the bride, creating wedding favours and decorations, organising events like the bridal shower and bachelorette party, and providing support and assistance to the bride on the wedding day.
When competition arises between the maid of honour and a bridesmaid, it can disrupt the harmony of the bridal party and hinder their ability to work together effectively. This can create a stressful environment for the bride, who relies on her bridal party for support and assistance during the wedding planning process and on her big day. It is important for the bridal party to remember that their primary role is to support the bride and ensure her happiness and comfort throughout the entire process.
To mitigate competition and foster a positive dynamic, the bride should choose her bridal party carefully, considering factors such as the depth of their relationships, reliability, availability, and emotional support offered. Additionally, open communication and clear expectations can help manage any tensions that may arise. Ultimately, the bridal party should focus on their shared goal of celebrating the bride and making her wedding day memorable.
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Over-the-top and tame at the same time
The 2011 film Bridesmaids has been praised for its female-centric narrative and well-developed relationships between the main characters. However, some viewers have criticised the film for being "over-the-top" and "tame" at the same time.
One viewer on Reddit commented that the film felt "over-the-top, while at the same time way too tame and calm. Balance was just way off and it just wasn't funny." They compared it to The Hangover, stating that Bridesmaids had the "noise" of "8 women screaming all at one time" throughout the movie, which made them "want to hurt people".
Another viewer agreed, saying that they expected The Hangover but with women and instead felt that the film was "an almost typical chick flick". They also criticised the "awkward romance" between Annie and the Irish cop, feeling that it took away from the interactions between the funny female characters, which they had been looking forward to.
Some viewers felt that the film's jokes were "too obvious and too planned" and that it was "stuff we've seen ten years ago, but now with a dress". One viewer commented that the film was "tedious" and that the ending "fell apart".
On the other hand, some viewers did find the film funny, with one calling it "legitimately funny" and another saying that they "burst out laughing" and that it was their "number one chick flick".
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Too much screaming
While some viewers praise the film Bridesmaids for its female-centric narrative, comedic value, and well-developed relationships between its characters, others criticise the film for what they perceive as excessive screaming. One viewer, for example, complains that the film is "8 women screaming all at one time the entire movie" and that "the noise makes [them] want to hurt people". Another viewer agrees, stating that the film is "8 guys screaming all at one time the entire movie, while being chased by hookers/gangsters/etc".
These viewers' criticism of the film's screaming is not limited to the female cast, as one commenter notes that "both [films] have the benefit of not having 8 women screaming all at one time the entire movie". This suggests that the criticism is not directed at women in particular, but rather at the volume of the film's dialogue in general.
It is worth noting that not all viewers of the film share this criticism. One commenter, for example, notes that the film has "the big, brash laughs" and another describes it as "a funny movie with likeable characters".
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Poor character development
The protagonist, Annie, is a single woman and a mess of a human being. When her best friend Lillian gets engaged, Annie is forced to serve as the maid of honour. Despite being lovelorn and almost penniless, she navigates the strange and expensive rituals of her new role. This setup is a classic tale of a protagonist thrown into a new world, and the audience can predict that Annie will eventually succeed in her role and find love.
The character of Megan, for example, is praised for her comedic performance, but her story is also criticised as being predictable and not well-written. Another example is Annie's romance with an Irish cop, which is described as "chick flick" material and an "awkward romance." The conflict between Annie and the cop feels forced and is easily resolved, with the cop eventually eating a cake she bakes and the two kissing and making up.
The film also falls into the trap of using its supporting characters as mere plot devices to drive the main character's arc. For instance, Becca, who mocks Annie for being single, and Helen, with whom Annie has an ugly crying argument, are one-dimensional characters that exist only to create conflict for Annie.
Overall, while *Bridesmaids* has its comedic moments, the characters feel like they are going through the motions of a typical romantic comedy, and the film misses an opportunity to develop them in a more original and compelling way.
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Unfunny
The 2011 film Bridesmaids has been praised for its female-centric narrative, but some viewers have criticised the film for its unfunny jokes.
One viewer on Reddit commented that the "jokes are too obvious and too planned", and that the film is "stuff we've seen ten years ago, but now with a dress". Another viewer agreed, stating that the film was "tedious" and "not funny".
Some viewers have also criticised the film for its similarities to other comedies, such as The Hangover, with one viewer stating that Bridesmaids is "The Hangover, but with some of the funniest women in the world". Another viewer commented that the film is "predictable" and that the "comedy rises above the level of teen boy [humour]".
Despite these criticisms, the film has received positive reviews from other viewers, with some describing it as "one of the best comedies EVER made" and "incredible".
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Frequently asked questions
Some viewers believe that the film is overrated, arguing that it is a good, but above-average comedy that is only receiving critical attention because it has women in it instead of the usual group of guys. Others disagree, stating that the film is well-paced, has strong performances, and includes a smart insight into women's friendships.
Some viewers have criticised the film for being too similar to other "chick flicks" or "hangover" movies, with predictable character arcs and obvious, over-planned jokes. Some have also found the film depressing and lacking in reasonable character journeys.
Many viewers have praised the film for being a female-driven comedy that refuses to be boxed in, with strong performances and a smart insight into women's friendships. The film has also been described as funny, entertaining, and a refreshing change from the usual male-dominated genre.
Some viewers have found the film problematic due to its portrayal of women, arguing that it reinforces the idea that a woman's aim in life is to get married. Others have criticised the film for its juvenile humour and cringeworthy scenes. However, it is important to note that these opinions are subjective, and others may find the film entertaining and well-made.
