Bridesmaids is a female-driven comedy that refuses to be boxed in. The film is a marriage of genuine characters, gross-out gags, and pathos, with Kristen Wiig emerging as a real star. The story follows Annie, a single woman whose life is a mess, but when her lifelong best friend Lillian gets engaged, she has no choice but to serve as the maid of honour. Though lovelorn and almost penniless, Annie navigates the strange and expensive rituals associated with her role as the bride's go-to gal. Determined to make things perfect, she leads Lillian and the other bridesmaids down the wild road to the wedding. The film is hilarious and raunchy, with big, brash laughs coupled with smart insights into women's friendships. It is well-paced, with a good mix of elements that keep the entertainment and comedy value strong. The characters and relationships are believable, making the comedy parts more effective. The film also has heart and ends happily, healing wounds and restoring hurt feelings.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Genre | Comedy |
Runtime | 124 minutes |
Rating | R |
Main Cast | Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd |
Director | Paul Feig |
Producers | Judd Apatow |
Writer | Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo |
Plot | Competition between the maid of honor and a bridesmaid threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef. |
What You'll Learn
- The movie's female-centric narrative is a refreshing take on the 'buddy comedy'
- It's a hilarious yet affecting story about friendship and adult relationships
- The cast is perfectly cast and delivers brilliant performances
- It has the best of both worlds: touching moments and smart, less clichéd comedy
- It proves that women are the equal of men in vulgarity, sexual frankness, lust, vulnerability, overdrinking and insecurity
The movie's female-centric narrative is a refreshing take on the 'buddy comedy'
Bridesmaids is a refreshing take on the buddy comedy, with its female-centric narrative and strong performances by its lead actresses. The film centres around Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph), two friends whose relationship is tested when Lillian gets engaged. Annie, the maid of honour, feels threatened by Helen (Rose Byrne), a newly acquired friend of Lillian's who begins to take over the wedding planning. This sets the stage for a series of hilarious and heartfelt moments as Annie navigates the strange and expensive rituals associated with her role.
The film successfully combines crude humour with insightful commentary on female friendships and adult relationships. It explores universal themes of feeling let down by life and losing oneself, which many viewers can relate to. While the film does include raunchy scenes and risqué humour, it also offers a thoughtful portrayal of the complexities of female relationships. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions feel authentic and believable.
Bridesmaids also benefits from strong performances by its supporting cast, including Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, and Wendi McLendon-Covey. They bring depth and nuance to their roles, ensuring that the film is more than just a series of comedic gags. The character of Megan, played by McCarthy, is particularly noteworthy for her hilarious scenes and strong, can-do attitude.
In conclusion, Bridesmaids is a refreshing take on the buddy comedy genre due to its female-centric narrative and honest exploration of friendship and adult relationships. The film's success lies in its ability to balance crude humour with heartfelt moments, relatable characters, and insightful commentary on universal themes.
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It's a hilarious yet affecting story about friendship and adult relationships
Bridesmaids is a hilarious yet affecting story about friendship and adult relationships. The movie follows Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph), two friends who have to navigate the challenges posed by Lillian's impending wedding. The plot centres on the competition between Annie, the maid of honour, and Helen (Rose Byrne), a bridesmaid, over who is the bride's best friend. This dynamic threatens to upend not only Annie's life but also her longstanding friendship with Lillian.
The movie does an excellent job of introducing and developing a large cast of characters, including the other bridesmaids, such as Megan (Melissa McCarthy), who provide comedic relief and add depth to the story. The relationships between the characters feel believable, which makes the comedy more effective and the emotional moments more impactful.
At its core, Bridesmaids explores the complexities of female friendship and adulthood. It delves into the insecurities, vulnerabilities, and struggles that women face, particularly when it comes to relationships, careers, and self-worth. The characters' journeys are relatable, and the movie does a brilliant job of balancing humour with heartfelt moments.
The performances of the lead actresses, Wiig and Rudolph, are outstanding. Their chemistry is undeniable, and they perfectly capture the nuances of female friendship, including the ups and downs that come with it. Wiig, in particular, shines in her role as Annie, a flawed yet likable character who is trying to navigate a difficult period in her life.
In addition to the stellar acting, the movie also benefits from a well-written script co-written by Wiig herself. The dialogue is witty and sharp, and the story feels fresh and authentic, offering a unique take on the traditional "chick flick" formula. The film's producer, Judd Apatow, is known for his involvement in movies that resonate with audiences, and Bridesmaids is no exception. It successfully blends raunchy humour with heartfelt moments, resulting in a comedy that is both entertaining and affecting.
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The cast is perfectly cast and delivers brilliant performances
The cast of Bridesmaids is perfectly curated, with each actor delivering a brilliant performance. The film stars Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy, who all shine in their respective roles. Wiig, who plays Annie, the single and struggling maid of honour, is described as "beautifully supported" by Rudolph and "enhanced" by the rest of the cast. Rudolph, who plays the bride, Lillian, is said to have great chemistry with Wiig, making their lifelong friendship on-screen entirely believable. McCarthy, who plays Megan, is described as "shocking and funny", with some of the film's funniest scenes. She is also described as hilarious and outrageous.
The supporting cast also delivers strong performances. Rose Byrne, who plays Helen, the rich and overconfident trophy wife, is described as giving a solid performance. Chris O'Dowd, who plays a sweet and supportive police officer, is said to be "amazing" and "talented". Wendi McLendon-Covey, who plays Rita, a mother of three, is also mentioned as a standout, as is Ellie Kemper, who plays Becca. Overall, the cast of Bridesmaids is perfectly cast, with each actor bringing their unique talent and energy to the film, resulting in brilliant performances that elevate the comedy and heart of the story.
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It has the best of both worlds: touching moments and smart, less clichéd comedy
Bridesmaids is a movie that expertly navigates the fine line between comedy and heartfelt moments, making it a standout film in its genre. It manages to be both uproariously funny and genuinely touching, often at the same time. This is a difficult balance to strike, but Bridesmaids pulls it off with aplomb, offering a fresh and unique take on the traditional romantic comedy.
The film is packed with hilarious set pieces and one-liners that will have you laughing out loud. But what sets Bridesmaids apart from other comedies is its willingness to delve into more serious and emotional territory. There are moments of genuine pathos and depth amidst the humor, as the characters navigate their relationships, careers, and personal struggles. This adds a layer of complexity and realism to the story, making the characters feel like real people with flaws, fears, and aspirations.
The comedy in Bridesmaids is also notable for its intelligence and lack of reliance on clichés. The writing is sharp and witty, with a strong focus on character-driven humor. The film avoids the typical slapstick or crude humor that often dominates mainstream comedies, instead favoring a more subtle and clever approach. The jokes are often rooted in the unique personalities and dynamics of the characters, making them feel organic and unexpected.
Additionally, the film features a diverse and talented ensemble cast, each bringing their own distinct brand of comedy to the table. This ensures a varied and dynamic comedic rhythm throughout, with each character offering a fresh perspective and source of humor. The cast's excellent comedic timing and obvious chemistry elevate the material, making even the most absurd moments feel believable and the heartfelt moments all the more powerful.
Bridesmaids also shines in its portrayal of female friendship and solidarity. The relationship between the bridesmaids themselves is a central focus of the film, and it is portrayed with honesty and depth. The characters support and challenge each other, and their bond feels authentic and relatable. This portrayal of female friendship is a refreshing change from the often catty or competitive dynamics portrayed in other media, adding to the overall appeal and impact of the film.
Ultimately, Bridesmaids succeeds in delivering a perfect blend of humor and emotion. It leaves audiences not only thoroughly entertained but also touched by the characters' journeys and the honest portrayal of friendship and personal growth. It is a film that truly offers the best of both worlds, providing laughs and heart in equal measure.
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It proves that women are the equal of men in vulgarity, sexual frankness, lust, vulnerability, overdrinking and insecurity
Bridesmaids is a female-driven comedy that proves women are just as funny as men. It does so by showcasing women being just as vulgar, sexually frank, lustful, vulnerable, prone to overdrinking, and insecure as men. The film centres around Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph), two friends whose relationship is tested when Lillian gets engaged. Annie, who is single, almost penniless, and dealing with the failure of her bakery business, becomes determined to make things perfect as Lillian's maid of honour.
The film is filled with raunchy and crude humour, from an energetic sex scene at the beginning to a bridal shower where Annie goes berserk and attacks the decorations, cake, and tables. There is also a scene where the women try on dresses at a bridal shop, and the lunch they've just eaten suddenly reappears. The film doesn't shy away from depicting women's sexual desires and experiences, with plenty of sexual innuendos and talk, including a scene where a woman does an impression of a penis.
The women in the film are shown to be just as vulnerable and insecure as men, if not more so. Annie, for example, is hard on herself and lets life get her down, and she feels threatened by Helen (Rose Byrne), a newly acquired wealthy friend who begins to take over the wedding plans. The women also deal with feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and fear of growth and commitment.
The film also addresses the commercialisation of weddings and the pressure to have a big, fancy, and expensive wedding. It shows how women can be just as vulnerable to these pressures as men, if not more so, and how this can cause tension and competition among friends.
Through its portrayal of women as equally vulgar, sexually frank, lustful, vulnerable, and insecure as men, Bridesmaids challenges the notion that women aren't funny and proves that they can hold their own in the world of raunchy comedy.
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