More bitter than sweet?
Our girl is seemingly not quite as impressed as everyone else with Paul Feig‘s Bridesmaids (2011)…
Paul Feig, who has graduated from TV directing (The Office, Nurse Jackie) with Bridesmaids (2011), has got himself a hit on his hands that is being described as the “funniest comedy of the year” in many quarters.
Unfortunately this is, to put it mildly, false advertising. It *is* an enjoyable movie, with some moments to make you giggle, some touching elements, but there is definitely nothing hilarious about it. It’s more disturbing, in fact, particularly for those of us who haven’t quite figured out their lives yet.
Thirty-something, broke and perennially single Annie (Kirsten Wiig) is, from the sidelines, watching her friends getting married, one by one. Thus, it only makes her more depressed and aware of her failure-filled life when her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) announces that she too is set to tie the knot.
Annie, who is opposed not only to the idea of marriage, but also the idea of the ‘big fancy wedding’ as well, is mortified when Lillian asks her to be maid of honour. As all her big ideas before the big day fall apart, and she is asked to step aside from the (for Annie) thankless task and hand it over to ‘perfect looking superwoman’ Helen (Rose Byrne), Annie seems initially to be fine with that, but it leaves a bitter aftertaste, especially when Helen seemingly takes her place as the bride’s best friend too. On top of everything else, Annie is struggling with a new and slightly confusing relationship with a local policeman, and appears to be doing absolutely everything in her power to ensure it does not work…
Wiig as Annie is an excellent take on the fears and dreams of many young single people who are worried about their future, and uncertain about their plans, hopes and needs, but the film as a whole suffers most of the customary faults of Judd Apatow productions – it is too long (by at least 25 minutes), and the ‘cop-heroine’ romance is almost palpably bland.
Overall, it’s entertaining, moving and very real – just not overly funny.
125 mins.