Bridesmaids
Rated
R. Our Ratings: V-4 ;L -1 ; S/N –1.
Running time: 2 hours 5 min.
 |
The bridal party embarking on what will be a planeflight none will
ever forget! © 2011 Universal Pictures |
One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,
but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.
Proverbs 17:9
This tale of female friendship is far funnier than the two Sex in the City
films, and a little more substantive
as well. It is sprightly directed by Paul Feig from a script in which co-star
Kristen is also a co-author (with
Annie Mumolo). Annie (Wiig) is asked to be maid of honor at the wedding of
her long-time friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph). Helen (Rose Byrne), a more recent
friend is jealous of Annie, and at the engagement party the two friends become
enmeshed in a dual as to who will praise the most and have the last word
concerning Lillian. This and many other episodes are very funny, with Annie
making so many mistakes that she almost wrecks her life and the wedding.
Guys also can have a lot of fun at this escapist comedy.
The film shows off well Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a city seldom seen in movies.
Annie had owned a bakery there, but lost it for unspecified reasons. She
now works at a jewelry store where her boss is frequently chastising her—for
good reasons, as her soured attitude due to her shabby treatment by her selfish
lover (Jon Hamm) leads her to disabuse customers of their romantic hopes
and dreams.
Annie’s rival for Lillian’s affections Helen (Rose Byrne) is
a rich and gorgeous woman used to having her own way, and it looks for a
while that Annie will not be in the wedding at all due to an incident on
a flight to Nevada when Annie’s emotions explode. The poor gal is so
distraught that a budding relationship with a kind and smart traffic cop,
Officer Nathan Rhodes (Chris O’Dowd), threatens to come to a screeching
halt.
The themes of friendship, jealousy, and reconciliation are well handled in
this adult comedy. The film shares the wide spread casual view of sex, especially
when the latter is disconnected from any form of religious faith. None of
the characters show much evidence of this. Indeed, we especially see this
in the wedding ceremony, so elaborately over the top and devoid of any religious
sentiment. The filmmakers do not have to preach about this tasteless and
frivolous display, merely showing it being judgment enough, at least for
the discerning viewer. Nonetheless, the film offers a young adult group plenty
to discuss.