Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids

Finally, they have made a chick flick a guy can go to.  This movie is about women and for women, but everyone (at least those without sensibilities to crude humor) can enjoy this.  Judd Apatow produces this film and brings his unique style of crude humor with a heart to the big screen.  It always amazes me how a film can be such a smut fest, but at the same time be a wholesome and sweet life affirming story at its’ heart.  I don’t know how Apatow does it, but he does it well.

                This movie will finally be the breakout role for SNL cast member, Kristen Wig.  She has stolen every scene where she is in supporting roles such as “Knocked up” or “Paul”, but this is a movie that showcases her.  Like Adam Sandler and Mike Myers, she has a very distinctive sense of humor.  If you enjoy her characters on SNL, then this movie for you.  Others who don’t appreciate her unique brand might not find it so funny.

                Even though this film is a Kristen Wig showcase, the director, Paul Feig, has assembled an equally impressive supporting cast of TV women of comedy that add to the laughs.  I will tell you that as great as everyone was, Melissa McCarthy playing the role of the unfeminine Megan stood out and stole every scene she was in.  You literally hold your breath waiting for every comment or action she makes.  Truly a great comedic turn for this actress from ‘The Gilmore Girls’ and ‘Mike & Molly’.

                The film itself follows Annie (Kristin Wig) as a woman whose life is crumbling around her. Her bakery business folded and her boyfriend (Jon Hamm) will not admit he’s her boyfriend.  The one bittersweet bright spot is that her long time best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) is getting married and she has been asked to be the Maid of Honor.  Annie tries to take on the expensive and complicated rituals of being the Maid of Honor.  Unfortunately, Lillian’s new friend Helen (Rose Byrne) from Chicago is perfect and rich and upstages Annie’s plan to have the perfect shower and bachelorette party.  The harder Annie tries, the more her plans don’t work out.  Unfortunately for Annie, Helen is always there to clean up the mess and to make it even better.

                Keeping to Judd Apatow’s style, the gags try to top each other with their crudeness and the movie is filled with non-stop guilty laughs.  Kristen Wig wrote this movie, but it fits perfectly what Judd Apatow likes.  I’ve already mentioned Melissa McCarthy, but there are many other strong supporting performances. Wendi McLendon-Covey of ‘Reno 911’ fame plays the sex starved housewife better than anyone.  She is almost violent in her desperation to have a girl’s night out.  Ellie Kemper from ‘The Office’ turns in another solid performance as a mousy and cutesy girl friend.  I think that is her comedic niche.  Of course, Maya Rudolph is always strong as the best friend.  I’ve wondered if she is strong enough to carry a movie someday, but for right now, she does well in these types of roles.  Jon Hamm (Mad Men) plays studly and goofy equally well as Annie’s rich ‘adult sleep over’ buddy who doesn’t like to acknowledge they have a relationship (who knew Jon Hamm could be so funny).  Jon plays a cad with such honest sincerity that you can’t help but sort of like him.  His comment when he wakes up to Annie in the morning; “This is awkward; I want you to leave, but I’m not sure how to ask without sounding rude” sort of defines their relationship.

                Kristen Wig’s comedic timing is perfect and her style of muttering awkwardness works every time.  I’m trying to think if there have been any female breakout movie stars from SNL’s long history of breakout stars.  I can’t think of any (Molly Shannon and Gilda Radner being the closest), but I predict that Kristen has a bright future ahead of her in comedy.

                I rate this film *** ½ stars