Ladies: If you like puppies, hugs, charming Irish policemen, Jon Hamm’s bare chest, and Wilson Phillips (which I know you do), Bridesmaids is the movie for you…
Gentlemen: If you like poop, puke, cussing, general mayhem and Kristen Wiig in her underwear (which I know you do), Bridesmaids is the movie for you…
Directed by Paul Feig of Knocked Up fame, Bridesmaids brings together a cast of predominately female actors who are truly funny to watch. Annie, played by Kristen Wiig is charming, likable and (most importantly) funny. Melissa McCarthy brings A+ “dude-humor” as over-the-top crude Megan, and potty-mouthed Wendi McLendon-Covey brings clever shock-value humor as long-time married Rita.
The funny moments are truly FUNNY as Wiig proves that she has the charisma and charm to carry a feature film. My main comment on Wiig from SNL is that her constant hamming is a comedic crutch that gets tiresome after the first time you see it… In Bridesmaids, Wiig gives just enough of her patented awkwardness to satisfy her fans and holds back enough to be accessible and “real”.
Chris O’Dowd as the “every man’s hero and woman’s fantasy” love interest, officer Rhodes, is truly charming and provides much needed heart. As one of the few male characters in the film the chemistry is believable and fun… Think Aiden from Sex in The City, meets Paul Rudd with an accent… My main complaint is that I wanted more time developing this relationship.
Oddly enough, the weak moments of the film take place between the bride, Lillian (played by Maya Rudolph) and Maid of Honor, Annie (Wiig). The history of their friendship is not explored in detail leaving the end a bit punchless. Skimming over the finer points of the character development leave you wondering why, after basically ruining every major event of her “best friends” wedding by delivering an awkward speech, giving the bridal party food poisoning (causing a vomit/diarrea outburst the size of Mt. St. Helens) and causing a scene on an airplane forcing an emergency landing, why Lillian would still want the friendship of Annie… With that said, I think picking apart the character development of this film seems a bit silly and pointless, as the point of this film is to laugh.
Missouri native Jon Hamm, of Mad Men fame, donates his talents playing a womanizing sex buddy of Annie. If anyone can bring back the coolness of the hairy chest, it is Jon Hamm.
In the end, Bridesmaids is a fun time at the movie house. The casting is perfect, the laughs come in bunches and there are enough quotable lines that you might feel yourself left out if you miss it… Something tells me that you will hear the line, “I have seen better tennis playing in a tampon commercial” the next time you hit the courts.
