Bridesmaids (2011)

Running Time: 125 mins
Directed By: Paul Feig
Starring:  Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, John Hamm, Maya Rudolph, Jill Clayburgh, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Melissa McCarthy
Screenplay: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
UK Release Date: 22nd June

Quick Plot: Annie's Mum seems to think her daughter's life has hit the bottom, her 'boyfriend' doesn't let her sleep over, her career isn't anything like she planned, her roommates are irritating and she hasn't a lot money. Then when her life long friend Lillian announces her wedding and that Annie is maid of honour, she's happy to oblige for her best friend and surely her life can't hit more of a bottom?

Review: Apologies for the poor plot above, there's a lot more to it but I don't want to spoil it for you now do I?

There has been an ongoing joke between my parents and I ever since we watched an Outnumbered special that explains how Mum's aren't funny. I don't believe this at all I only persist in this joke because I get a kick out of it against my Mum. Of course I can't believe it, it's ridiculous to even think women are less funny than men and even more ridiculous considering what I've just witnessed!
Bridesmaids is hilarious and a real treat. I won't bore you with my thoughts on The Hangover: Part II instead you can read it here, but Bridesmaids has without a doubt, made up for the slightly disappointing funny sequel. It's not even the every line is a gag, rolling on the floor type of comedy. Bridesmaids' humour is delicately fused with the plot which is what any type of good comedy should be. I'm not saying it's unique, I'm not saying it's perfect but it's enjoyable and one of the funniest films I've seen in a long time. Possibly the same wave length as the first Hangover film. The best thing about Bridesmaids is that it's not just for women, just like The Hangover isn't just for men. You may think it's just for women and if you're a man and think that, fine- you probably won't enjoy it, but it's the type of humour that gets everyone. Farts, sick, sex, normal people, normal lives and normal situations people find themselves under. My friend and I today were in fits of giggles in the cinema.
As expected the screenplay was brilliant written by Kristen Wiig who plays our main character Annie and her best friend Annie Mumolo. Kristen Wiig is one of my favourite actresses in comedy, her role in Paul was funny,, her parts in Whip It!, Date Night, the small role in Knocked Up and my favourite Adventureland, she's got it certainly going for her and I know she's not about to loose it for a long time. I've already said how this film is great but I will continue. I know there's many female screenwriters of today, but Bridesmaids was purely female ideas which I think shows through because women can relate to it as part of every day life or stuff they're familiar with as can men with the way some of the women act or how manly some of the female characters really are. On a personal note, I admit to not watching enough Saturday Night Live, it's harder living in the wrong country but I make my efforts and try as much as I can. Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig are known for their sketches on SNL (which if you get a chance to watch, please do) and are two of the most funniest comedienne's known. I could be wrong, but I felt as if their laughter in the film was real because their bond in the film is very relatable to the audience, they're funny off camera, they're funny on camera they are all round funny women and you will have a very weird sense of humour if you don't find them funny.
Paul Feig the director who has previous directed some great TV comedy shows which I'm sure you're familiar with, episodes of The Office, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, Nurse Jackie and was the creator of the widely popular Freaks and Geeks. Produced by Judd Apatow who I'm not even going to tell of the wonders he's made. If you haven't seen at least one Apatow production, stop reading this and watch one. This is purely Apatow humour but on a side we've never seen before-women. But it does no wrong. The cast and crew are known for their comedy and Bridesmaids definitely delivers it.
Let's not forget the rest of the ensemble who are included in the brilliant comedy that is Bridesmaids. Chris O'Dowd the Irish comedian actor I'm sure we all know of is fantastic in this. One of my favourite TV shows is IT Crowd in which O'Dowd's character is perfectly written and acted out. Sticking to Bridesmaids, Officer Nathan Rhodes is such a lovable character, the good guy who's obviously perfect for Annie. He's cute but nothing predictable, he's an out there character but funny and sensitive-like the storyline. The rest of female cast are just as good, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper are stereotypical but funny secondary characters, each with different lives but ones that are we're so use to in every day life. Rose Byrne, who I seem to have developed an admiration for, is great as the mean, bitchy enemy. Something I've never seen her do before but she can do it. I loved her role in X-Men: First Class and thought she was the real funny par of Get Him To The Greek but I've seen her play more deeply perceptive roles such as Adam. But the real source of the comedy in Bridesmaids is the beautiful Melissa McCarthy as Megan. Megan is the Alan of The Hangover (she's even the sister of the groom). The character is hysterically written and you just know Wiig and Mumolo had a blast in creating her just as much as McCarthy had in playing her. You're probably thinking 'I'm not even confident of which end that came out of' is Megan's best line and part of the film but you're mistaken, her character delivers the comedy in each part of the film she's in. I would explain but this is a non-spoiler review remember. Giving out the comedy but also just softening the storyline for the emotional speck Bridesmaids holds.
Weddings, bridesmaids, females, this film first off screams 'nooo not again' but it's such a great and. It's sweet, hilarious and enjoyable. I know you must enjoy a film to like it, but I had so much fun watching Bridesmaids and I just hope you have the same enjoyment I had. This is the type of comedy that in 2 years will be on ITV1 and ITV2 10pm on weekends that I will HAVE to watch. It's just as good as Knocked Up which I believe to be one of the greatest Judd Apatow creations.

4/5



Bridesmaids trailers