Bridesmaids' On Netflix: Where To Watch The Hit Comedy

Bridesmaids, the 2011 comedy blockbuster starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, and Maya Rudolph, is now streaming on Netflix. The movie, directed by Paul Feig, revolves around Annie Walker, a woman who has hit rock bottom and is struggling with financial and romantic troubles. When her best friend, Lillian, announces her wedding plans, Annie is determined to be the perfect maid of honour. However, things start to fall apart due to Annie's rivalry with Helen, another bridesmaid. Bridesmaids is known for its raunchy humour and heartfelt script, showcasing the talents of its stellar female-led cast. It was a game-changer when it was released, defying industry expectations and becoming a breakout hit.

Bridesmaids is available on Netflix

The film follows Annie Walker, a woman who is struggling with several issues in her life. Despite her problems, she is determined to be a good maid of honour to her best friend, Lillian Donovan, who is getting married. Annie tries to make sure that Lillian's wedding plans go smoothly. However, things start to fall apart due to Annie's rivalry with another bridesmaid, Helen Harris III.

Bridesmaids was a legitimate blockbuster when it was released, defying industry expectations for a female-led comedy. It is now one of the most popular comedies on Netflix, showcasing the talents of its stellar cast of leading ladies. The script, co-written by Wiig, is both heartfelt and crude, offering a poignant look at a woman whose life is falling apart.

In addition to its comedic value, Bridesmaids also provides an insightful exploration of female friendship and the challenges faced by women in difficult situations. The film's popularity and critical acclaim demonstrate its impact on audiences and the film industry. So, if you're looking for a funny and engaging movie to watch on Netflix, Bridesmaids is an excellent choice.

Plot summary of Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids is an American comedy film released in 2011. It was written by Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, and directed by Paul Feig. The film stars Kristen Wiig as Annie Walker, a woman who experiences a series of misfortunes after being asked to serve as maid of honour for her best friend, Lillian, played by Maya Rudolph.

Annie is a single woman in her thirties living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her bakery, Cake Baby, has failed, causing her to lose her boyfriend and her savings. She now works in a jewellery store and shares an apartment with a British immigrant, Gil, and his sister, Brynn, who is visiting. Annie has a dysfunctional relationship with a self-absorbed man named Ted, who treats her as a casual sexual partner. Her best friend, Lillian, is the only bright spot in her life.

When Lillian gets engaged, she asks Annie to be her maid of honour. At the engagement party, Annie meets the other bridesmaids: Lillian's cynical cousin Rita; her idealistic friend Becca; her future raunchy sister-in-law, Megan; and Helen Harris III, the beautiful but over-the-top wife of Lillian's fiancé's boss. Annie and Helen instantly dislike each other and compete for Lillian's attention and confidence.

Annie tries to organise a bachelorette party at Lillian's parents' lake house, but Helen overrules her and plans a trip to Las Vegas instead. Annie is too proud to accept a ticket from Helen and books a coach ticket, while the rest of the party flies first class. Due to her fear of flying, Annie accepts a sedative from Helen, which causes her to have a paranoid breakdown, leading to an emergency landing in Wyoming. The party has to take a bus back home, and Lillian asks Helen to take over as planner.

Annie continues to hope for a relationship with Ted but also flirts with Nathan Rhodes, a friendly traffic cop who had previously let her off without a ticket. Nathan encourages Annie to open a new bakery, but she refuses, still hurting from her business's failure. After spending the night together, Nathan buys baking supplies, upsetting Annie, who leaves.

Annie is fired from her job after an argument with a rude teenage customer and is then evicted by her roommates, forcing her to move in with her mother. She travels to Chicago for the bridal shower at Helen's house, which has been transformed into a Parisian-themed event. Helen upstages Annie's gift by giving Lillian a trip to Paris, leading to Annie berating Helen and Lillian and storming out.

On her way home, Annie is involved in a car accident, and Nathan, the attending officer, admonishes her for her irresponsibility. Ted arrives to give Annie a ride, but when he asks her to perform oral sex on him, she breaks off the relationship and walks home.

Annie becomes reclusive, refusing to leave her house. Megan motivates her to take control of her life, and she tries to make amends with Nathan. On the day of the wedding, Helen arrives at Annie's, apologising for her behaviour and revealing her loneliness. With Nathan's help, they find Lillian, who has disappeared due to Helen's extravagant planning and fear of leaving her life in Milwaukee.

Annie reconciles with Lillian and resumes her role as maid of honour. After the wedding, Helen and Annie make amends, and Nathan arrives to pick up Annie. They ride away in his police car.

Awards and nominations

Bridesmaids received 72 nominations and 25 wins. Melissa McCarthy was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film, and she also received a nomination for the BAFTA Award, Critics' Choice Movie Award, and SAG Award in the same category. In addition, McCarthy was nominated for Best Comedic Performance at the MTV Movie Awards, which she won. The ensemble cast of Bridesmaids, including McCarthy, received nominations for the SAG Award, Critics' Choice Movie Award, and other critics' groups.

The film was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards—Best Picture - Comedy or Musical and Best Leading Actress - Comedy or Musical (Kristen Wiig). It received two nominations at the BAFTA 2012: British Academy of Film and TV Awards, the Writers Guild Awards, and the Producers Guild Awards. It was also nominated for 18 Screen Actors Guild Awards, including Best Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Melissa McCarthy).

Bridesmaids won the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy) and the New York Film Critics, Online, for Best Supporting Actress. It also won the Golden Trailer Award for "Red Band Trailer" and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Virtuoso Award.

The cast of Bridesmaids

The 2011 comedy Bridesmaids features a stellar cast of leading ladies. The film stars Kristen Wiig as Annie Walker, an out-of-work pastry chef who has hit a rough patch in her life. When her best friend, Lillian Donovan, played by Maya Rudolph, announces her engagement, she makes Annie her maid of honour.

Lillian introduces Annie to the rest of the bridesmaids: Helen Harris III, played by Rose Byrne, Megan Price, played by Melissa McCarthy, Rita, played by Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Becca, played by Ellie Kemper. The cast also includes Chris O'Dowd as Nathan Rhodes, an Irish-American Wisconsin State Trooper, and Rebel Wilson as Brynn, Lillian's cousin.

The film was written by Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who also appears in the film as the Nervous Woman on the Plane. Director Paul Feig also makes a cameo as an uncredited wedding guest.

The impact of Bridesmaids on the careers of its stars

The 2011 film Bridesmaids, directed by Paul Feig, was a critical and commercial success, and had a significant impact on the careers of its stars. The female-led comedy, starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, and Melissa McCarthy, surpassed expectations and became a breakout hit, raking in $26 million in its opening weekend and over $300 million worldwide.

For some of the cast, Bridesmaids served as a launchpad for their careers, while others utilised the film as an opportunity to showcase a different side of their talents.

Kristen Wiig

Post-Bridesmaids, Wiig has pursued a variety of roles in films such as "The Skeleton Twins" (2014), "The Martian" (2015), and "Ghostbusters" (2016). She also reunited with her "Bridesmaids" co-writer Annie Mumolo for the 2021 comedy "Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar". Wiig has been nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and an Academy Award for Original Screenplay.

Maya Rudolph

Rudolph, who spent seven years on "Saturday Night Live" prior to "Bridesmaids", has gone on to star in films such as "Inherent Vice" (2014), "Sisters" (2015), and "Wine Country" (2019). Her portrayal of Kamala Harris on "SNL" during the 2020 election cycle earned her an Emmy nomination. She has also worked on other popular shows such as "Netflix's Big Mouth" and "NBC's The Good Place".

Rose Byrne

Byrne, a well-known Australian actress prior to "Bridesmaids", has since appeared in films like "X-Men: First Class" and "The Place Beyond the Pines". She has also ventured into comedy, with roles in "Neighbors" and "Spy".

Wendi McLendon-Covey

McLendon-Covey, known for her work on "Reno 911!" and guest appearances on shows like "The Office", has landed several film roles since "Bridesmaids", including "Blended" and "What to Expect When You're Expecting". However, her most notable success has been her starring role on ABC's "The Goldbergs", earning her a Critics' Choice nomination for Best Comedy Actress.

Ellie Kemper

"Bridesmaids" provided a platform for Kemper, who was relatively unknown prior to the film. She went on to land the lead role in the Netflix comedy "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt", which ran for four seasons and earned her two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Kemper has also lent her voice to animated films like "The Secret Life of Pets" and "The Lego Batman Movie".

Melissa McCarthy

McCarthy's performance in "Bridesmaids" is often cited as her breakout role, earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Since then, she has become one of the most in-demand actresses, starring in numerous comedies such as "Identity Thief" (2013), "The Heat" (2013), "Tammy" (2014), and "Spy" (2015). McCarthy has also explored more dramatic roles, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in "Can You Ever Forgive Me" (2018).

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