When the first promotions for Bridesmaids hit, I admit that I wrote the film off as nothing more than a sad attempt to create a female version of the increasingly popular “bromance” genre. To clarify, in no way do I have any kind of prejudice against a female cast headlining a comedy, but it still felt like Universal was trying to simply mirror Warner Bros.’ surprise breakout bachelor party comedy (The Hangover) and re-aim it towards a different demographic. As big of a fan as I am of Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph and current cast member Kristen Wiig, I still had a few doubts as to whether they would be able to carry a summer blockbuster. Granted, with comedic heavyweight Judd Apatow pulling down producer credits and The Office and Arrested Development director Paul Feig calling the shots, Bridesmaids certainly had more than enough talent behind the camera to add some credibility to the film. Combine that with the incredibly positive critical feedback from early screenings, and it began to look like Bridesmaids would end up surprising everyone at the theater.
In retrospect, to say that Bridesmaids exceeded expectations is an incredible understatement, as it is one of the funniest films I have ever seen, generating laughs that surpass even those generated by The Hangover. Kristen Wiig not only displays the capabilities of a comedic genius as the exasperated protagonist, but she also reaches levels of emotion and heart which easily provoke enough audience empathy to earn her the title of new “American Sweetheart.” For as good as Kristen Wiig’s performance really was, that in no way should downplay the importance of her supporting cast, from the always-funny Maya Rudolph to the passive-aggressive Rose Byrne, not to mention the scene-stealing Melissa McCarthy. Admittedly, it does take a little bit for Bridesmaids to get off the ground and achieve a steady comedic rhytm, but once the film finishes testing the waters and decides to jump into a few raunchy situations, you will not stop laughing. Plain and simple, forget whatever hesitancy you might have, Bridesmaids combines emotion and humor for comedic gold which is sure to launch its stars to A-list popularity…do not miss it.
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Overall Recommendation: Very High
