Bridesmaids

Even though I have seen Kristen Wiig in many films, Bridesmaids (which she not only stars in, but also co-wrote) is the first time I've really noticed her. Having not watched Saturday Night Live in a long time, I'm unfamiliar with her work on that show, and up until now, have figured I was not missing much. Now I'm thinking I was wrong. Wiig is downright brilliant here - Heartfelt, honest, likable, and downright hilarious. I advise her to write all of her own roles from now on.

This is the rare comedy that truly is laugh-out-loud funny, and ranks alongside Cedar Rapids as one of the funniest movies I've seen in 2011. I think I laughed more at this movie than the last five or so comedies I've seen. Much has been made of the fact that Bridesmaids is a "women behaving badly" comedy, and some have even compared it to The Hangover. There's really no reason to compare. Not only do the two movies have nothing in common (The only thing they share is an R-rating, and the characters do attempt a trip to Las Vegas at one point, though they never get there.), but it is its own movie, which is in itself kind of special. Bridesmaids is very funny, and yes, it can be rude at times. But it also has a huge heart, a lot of likable characters who I think audiences will be able to identify with, and a lot of valuable insights into different kinds of relationships. This is the rare comedy that not only makes you laugh hysterically, but also makes you think about the people you know, or used to know.

Wiig plays Annie, a woman who recently watched her small bakery business crumble in a bad economy. Now she's stuck working at a jewelry store (a job she hates), and is forced to share an apartment with an oddball British brother and sister pair who don't seem to understand the meaning of "personal space". When Annie's best friend since childhood, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), suddenly announces that she is engaged, Annie finds herself thrust into the role of being the Maid of Honor. She's happy to help plan the wedding, until she meets the lovely and seemingly flawless Helen (Rose Byrne), Lillian's wealthy new friend, who not only is in danger of threatening Annie's long relationship with Lillian, but also seems destined to completely take over every detail of the wedding, since she feels she's right about everything, and has to do everything flawlessly. Helen is the kind of woman who upstages everyone else at the wedding shower by giving Lillian a free trip to Paris as a gift.

Reading that plot description, I'm sure bad memories of awful romantic comedies are right now circling your head, but Bridesmaids is smarter than that. Helen is not a character that we are supposed to despise, for one thing. She is simply so used to taking charge of every situation, she does not realize the damage she is doing to the people around her. The movie is also a lot smarter than you might expect, as these are women with actual brains, who say smart things, and are actually very witty. There are a lot of memorable supporting characters as well, who make up the other bridesmaids at the upcoming wedding. They include Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), a bitter mother-of-three who is looking forward to letting go at the bachelorette party, Becca (Ellie Kemper), a sunny newlywed, and Megan (Melissa McCarthy from TV's Mike and Molly), a brash and honest woman who ends up stealing every scene she's in, thanks to McCarthy's inspired and hilarious performance. While each of the women get their individual moments, Megan is the character I suspect most in the audience will walk away remembering.

There's a romantic subplot for Annie, as well. She starts out dating a slimy rich guy (Jon Hamm), but quickly wises up, and falls for a sweet young state patrol officer named Rhodes (Chris O'Dowd). Their "Meet Cute" scene is one of the funniest I've seen in a long time, and though their relationship follows the expected formulaic ups and downs, we like both of them, and are never bored. Credit for this must not only go to the performers themselves, but also to the screenplay by Wiig and Annie Mumolo. The dialogue is constantly sharp, never sounds forced, and seems to care deeply about each of its main characters. These are people with emotions we recognize and can relate to, so the relationships never feel like they're being manipulated by the plot. Wiig and Rudolph come across as best friends (most likely their years on Saturday Night Live together help with this), Wiig has a genuinely sweet chemistry with O'Dowd, and we find ourselves caring about these people as much as we are laughing with them.

Bridesmaids was produced by Judd Apatow, one of the most powerful names in the comedy business right now in Hollywood. It shows too, as the film shares a lot of the same strengths and weaknesses as his earlier productions. It shares the cheerfulness, intelligent yet sometimes crude humor, and everyday characters who bond over a series of misadventures. It also shares the main problem I have had with a lot of his films, in that it runs a little too long. Though I was never bored, the film's final moments do seem dragged out, as the film frantically tries to tie up one loose end after another. It didn't hurt my enjoyment, though. I wish that was the worst thing I could say about every movie I see. Aside from some slow moments late, the movie manages to be consistently entertaining, and is bound to be a star-making role for Kristen Wiig. I dare anyone to watch her scene on the airplane, and not think that a comic star is being born.

Wherever her career goes from here, Bridesmaids will always stand as a testament to her talent as a writer and a leading performer. I can easily see this becoming a word of mouth early summer hit, so hopefully she will make smart choices, and Hollywood will give her the chance she deserves. This is a movie that's too good to miss, and judging by this film alone, Wiig has a talent that's too strong to pass up.

See the movie times in your area or buy the DVD at Amazon.com!

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