The Unspoken Bond: Helen And Lillian's Bridesmaid History

Bridesmaids is an American comedy film released in 2011. The film centres on Annie Walker, a young single woman who has recently lost her bakery business, her savings, and her boyfriend. Annie is asked to be the maid of honour at her best friend Lillian's wedding. At the engagement party, Annie meets the other bridesmaids, including Helen, the wealthy, snobby wife of the groom's boss. Although Lillian hasn't known Helen for long, the two quickly become close, and Helen and Annie develop a rivalry for Lillian's attention.

Helen's wealth and social status

Helen, the wife of the groom's boss, is a wealthy, well-connected socialite. She is described as "immaculate" and "stunning", and her life seems perfect from the outside. She is pretentious, polite, and charismatic, but also snobbish and off-putting. Her wealth and social status are evident in several ways throughout the film.

Helen's wealth is seen in her ability to pay for first-class tickets for the bridal party's trip to Las Vegas, including a ticket for Annie, which she offers to pay for when she sees that Annie cannot afford it. Helen also surprises Lillian with a trip to Paris for a wedding dress fitting, which is seen as a lavish and extravagant gesture. Additionally, she hosts an extravagant Parisian-themed bridal shower at her home in Chicago, showcasing her financial means and social influence.

Helen's social status is further emphasised by her wide-reaching connections. She seems to know people from various industries, including a restaurant owner in Vegas and the purveyor of a fancy bridal shop. This indicates her high social standing and ability to network and socialise with people from different backgrounds.

Despite her wealth and social connections, Helen is not completely satisfied with her life. She reveals that she feels lonely and has no true friends, despite being sought after for her event planning skills. This indicates that her wealth and social status do not necessarily equate to happiness or fulfilling relationships.

Annie's financial situation

Annie's Financial Troubles:

The Impact on Her Role as Maid of Honor:

Annie's financial troubles create challenges for her role as maid of honor for her best friend, Lillian. She struggles to keep up with the expensive rituals and events associated with the wedding. For example, she is unable to afford a first-class ticket for the bachelorette party in Las Vegas and is too proud to accept help from Helen, the wealthy wife of the groom's boss. This situation escalates when she accepts a sedative and liquor from Helen to alleviate her fear of flying, leading to a paranoid breakdown and an emergency plane landing.

Emotional and Relational Consequences:

Impact on Career and Aspirations:

A Turning Point:

Despite her financial challenges, Annie eventually takes control of her life. She resumes baking, indicating a return to her passion and a potential new source of income. She also attempts to mend her relationship with Nathan, suggesting that she is working towards personal and financial stability. Although Annie faces financial difficulties throughout the film, her resilience and determination to improve her situation shine through.

Helen's insecurities

Additionally, Helen's need for validation extends beyond her relationship with Lillian. She strives for perfection and cares deeply about what others think of her. Her pretentious and snobbish behaviour is a way to mask her own insecurities and project an image of success and happiness. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that her life is not as perfect as it seems, and she is just as lost and insecure as Annie.

In the end, Helen apologises to Annie, revealing that despite her event planning skills, she has no true friends and is unfulfilled in her marriage. This moment of vulnerability shows that Helen's insecurities are what drive her cutthroat behaviour, and she is not as confident and put-together as she appears.

Annie's jealousy

Despite Annie's jealousy and the competitive nature of their relationship, the film concludes with Annie and Helen sharing a hug, suggesting a resolution to their rivalry and a potential path forward for their friendship with Lillian.

Helen's sabotage

Helen continues to upstage Annie, rejecting her idea of a Parisian-themed bridal shower, only to surprise Lillian with a trip to Paris for the dress fitting. This pushes Annie to her breaking point, causing her to berate Helen and Lillian and storm out of the shower. It is also revealed that Helen refers to Annie as Lillian's "childhood friend", highlighting the age difference between the two and subtly implying that Annie is no longer relevant in Lillian's life.

Helen's actions cause a rift in the friendship between Annie and Lillian, with Annie feeling increasingly jealous and competitive for Lillian's attention. While Helen does not outright sabotage Annie, her cutthroat behaviour and subtle put-downs create a sense of chaos and tension in the lead-up to the wedding. It is only when Helen apologises to Annie and reveals her own insecurities that the two women reconcile, and Helen's true motives are revealed.

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