film review: bridesmaids

Bridesmaids follows the story of Annie (Kritsen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph) – two childhood best friends. When Lillian becomes engaged to Dougie, Annie is asked to be the maid of honour, along with four somewhat stereotypical bridesmaids. There’s Dougie’s butch and outspoken sister Megan (Melissa McCarthy from Gilmore Girls), the prissy newlywed Becky (Ellie Kemper from The Office), the trashy trophy wife Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey from Reno 911) and the upper class snob Helen (Australia’s Rose Byrne) who soon becomes Annie’s biggest rival.

As the wedding preparations begin, Annie’s personal life spirals out of control – she’s stuck at a no-end job as a jewellery saleswoman, her roommates are insufferable, and she’s sleeping with an arrogant man (played by Mad Men’s Jon Hamm) but is grappling with the feelings she has for the friendly Scottish cop, Rhodes (played by the IT Crowd’s Chris O’Dowd.)

While the narrative may not sound overly intriguing, the acting is top notch from all of the cast who are predominantly television stars. Saturday Night Live’s Kristen Wiig who also co-wrote the script is charmingly energetic, and Rose Byrne plays the manipulative and snobbish Helen with a breezy charm. There are many moments throughout the film that will make audiences laugh out loud, and fans of Judd Apatow’s previous hits (Knocked Up, 40 year Old Virgin, Pineapple Express) should check this film out.

This is not your typical ‘rom com’ and it looks like Kristin Wiig will be following the same path of success as ex SNL co-host Tina Fey.