BRIDESMAIDS is one of the funniest and most depressing comedies to experience this year. It's one of best wedding films but like a real wedding it isn't dreamily perfect in every way. I shared my screening with several other viewers who viciously loathed its creation. The cinematic pain and vile didn't fit well with them, hence their overactive responses and actions. I had some problems with its overall schadenfreude, which could of became pure torture porn in misguided hands, but it was necessary to be featured into the plot. You aren't watching pretty people with problems, you are watching real women who still carry their real despair during one of the many overhyped periods of social gatherings.
Kristen Wiig is Annie Walker, an emotionally damaged woman who is asked to be the maid of honor for her best friend Lillian, played by Maya Rudolph. Because of this rush of joie de vivre and extensive pampering in Lillian's life, Annie has to organize the perfect pre-wedding itinerary with her newly forced-upon friends sharing bridesmaids duty. Of course one of the bridesmaids is a wannabe Queen bee who hinders everything she does, further wrecking Annie's struggle to rise from the bottom of her modern life. But as the film showcases, it is Annie herself who is purposely destroying everything she still holds on to.
Wiig is definitely one of the biggest reasons why this film can't work for some. Her television work on SNL has produced massive irritation and derision for many and the fact that sitting through a film with her, and created as co-writing it, is considered a war crime in itself. Maybe it is because I've avoid the general mediocrity of wit that plagues late Saturday nights but I believe that Kristen Wiig is a bonafide star in entertainment. She has already proven herself in several other films, including the surprisingly good PAUL, but in BRIDESMAIDS she is willing to be a horrendous human being for shocks and laughs. She very greatly succeeds in it, able to squeeze many different emotions from the viewer, whether he or she really wants it or not. Unlike the atrocious romantic comedies with Jennifer Lopez and Katherine Heigl at the helm, you can very easily understand why Annie's plight in personal and professional happiness is in disrepair and why the people who love her can't always handle with it. The character and the performance reminds me of Jennifer Aniston in FRIENDS WITH MONEY, an actress I hate that was also able to go beyond the normal tropes of self-inflicted human misery.
The fight between Annie and the uber-rich bridesmaid Helen, played by Rose Byrne, for Lillian's affections is easy to see as a social divisional warfare but the film thankfully makes this brawl so outlandish and campy that it borderlines on surrealism. What starts off with a "friendly" tennis match and the choice of the gowns later turns into a massive party with multiple modes of transport simply to the front door and puppies given as party favors. The film does use the continuing struggles of normal American citizens to characterize Annie, since her beloved cake business was destroyed by the recession, but it also wants to lampoon the Hollywoodization of the rich life. This fits perfectly with sweet and sour nature of the film, complete with its raunchy and crude jokes to its tender vulnerable moments.
I have focused so heavily on the centerpieces that I neglected the rest of the cake. The supporting performers are all very good despite the often little attention they are given. However, one of the biggest highlights and scene-stealers is Melissa McCarthy as Megan, the sister of the groom. What would just be the fat girl with the fat gags is actually a true American badass woman with some of best running jokes. The script is, as stated, very funny and is able to stay original despite the predictability that was and is expected from the movie. Although, also stated previously, the many scenes of Annie's horrible life do get repetitive; Subplots involving her British roommates and her new job are more embarrassing than humorous. Though I enjoyed all of it, the film could have been cut down significantly as it is overstuffed. An early scene with Annie and Helen toasting the couple is a true test strip for the patience of the viewer and might ruin the rest of the enjoyment.
BRIDESMAIDS has some of the best laughs and gasps produced. Sadly, the most depressing moments don't come from Annie but by the presence of Jill Clayburgh. The now late actress is suited and is exceptional as Annie's upbeat mother. For a film that is trying to press the right and wrong buttons of its audience with a multitude of actresses, it has fortunately captured the last appearance of one of the greats.
FINAL REVIEW: 4 / 5
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