Being the Maid of Honor is very stressful, more stressful than being a Matron of Honor, whereas being a Best Man is no stress at all except for writing a speech for the reception. On the day your best friend gets married, you can't help but measure your life against hers, against the life you intended for yourself and against just about anyone else's. And you know everyone else is judging you as well. In American films, at least, women who aren't married on their friend's wedding day are, at best, frowned upon, at worst, pitied. Self-pity, anger, paranoia and desperation are de rigueur. Seems Hollywood films are slower than evolution, much less social change, when it comes to women's issues. But at least 'Bridesmaids' puts an hysterical spin on this (hopefully) outdated issue -- still no such thing as a confident, unmarried woman. (Note that possibly intentionally Jill Clayburgh, famous for her role in 'An Unmarried Woman' back in 1979, is cast in 'Bridesmaids' as Annie's mother in this, her last role. The physical resemblance between mother and daughter is a casting delight. The echo of 33 year old social issues persisting to the present is haunting. Goodbye, Jill.) But it has to be said, the comedy in 'Bridesmaids' is not only accurate, if women do still get upset about being unmarried by a certain age, but truly insightful, which bangs the chord right on the head and doubles the intrinsic humor -- to mix metaphors.. There are also the issues of jealousy toward the bride, fear that her life is changing and you will be left behind, competition over who among the bridesmaids is the bride's best friend. Who can arrange the shower and bachelorette party most successfully also up the ante for the Maid of Honor, and are fodder for laughter in this film.
Kristen Wiig (who is again unrecognizable -- the mark of a serious actor), plays Annie, a very leggy, slim, blond whose tenuous hold on life (job, dating, home) crumbles faster than she can feel bad about it. Being her best friend, Lillian's (Maya Rudolph) Maid of Honor only exponentially increases the stress. Of course, much, if not all, of Annie's woes are her own fault, which lends the story to Greek tragedy in a very modern, comedic sense. This film proves women can be as funny as men. While men in films like 'The Hangover' (2009) are at their most shamefully despicable and barley show any relationship towards one another, while they prowl for sex, get drunk, vomit, go comatose, get involved in crime, and become completely irresponsible losers, women in 'Bridesmaids' may be as desperate, but always maintain their bonds with each other, try to solve their deepest problems and are funnier because of it. Chick flicks can be a raucous and comedic as guy flicks. This one is.
Bridesmaids
Director: Paul Feig
Writer: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
Cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jill Clayburgh, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Chris O’Dowd, Matt Lucas
Rated: R
Opening May 13 at the Metreon, AMC Van Ness, Balboa in San Francisco
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