YOU'RE LIKE A MAID OF DISHONOR: If my near-packed audience last night is any indication, Bridesmaids isn't going away despite now being in its fifth week of release -- and thank goodness. From the advertising and general buzz I was prepared for there to be some riotously filthy gags; what I was not prepared for was just how solid the character story was, how emotionally true it felt, and how messy it was willing to make things.
But most importantly, Bridesmaids is not "funny for a chick flick." Bridesmaids is funny, period. Very funny. Kristin Wiig's physical comedy is top-notch throughout, and some of the setpieces (the airplane, in particular) are brilliant, and Melissa McCarthy is triumphant as the Third Lead. See this movie, with a crowd, while you can.
My husband is going around telling everyone it's probably the funniest movie since Anchorman. I think he might be right.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was great, too. I was especially surprised by how much I "liked" Kristen Wiig in it, because I've found her to be insufferable for the last few years of SNL. I put "like" in quotes, because she was kind of a selfish ass for most of the movie, but in a way that seemed character based and true.
ReplyDeleteI wish, for its own sake, that the movie didn't seem to have so much cultural baggage thrown on it (I had a hard time getting friends to go, initially, because they thought the positive reviews were a function of critics wanting the movie to work rather than enjoying it. . .shades of Rush Limbaugh and Donovan McNabb), because it's good in its own right. I didn't think it was perfect (it could have been edited down a bit to make it tighter; a couple of the side characters were forgotten about as it went on), but I enjoyed it more than any other comedy I've seen this year so far.
On editing: yes, there were at least two bits that went for the extra joke where they weren't needed -- the engagement party speeches, and woo-the-cop towards the end. And there was an extra beat to the Ellie Kemper story that we didn't reach. Still, what an enjoyable movie.<span> </span>
ReplyDeleteCarmichael, I felt the same way about Wiig, who I used to love on SNL but have grown so tired of over the last few years. She was an ass, but I could see where that was coming from. Along those same lines, has anyone here watched "Happy Endings"? Casey Wilson is in it, and she's hilarious. I think these are just two more bullet points on my "The writing on 'SNL' is what's letting everyone down/it's Seth Meyer's fault" chart.
ReplyDelete"Your name is Stove?"
I second the love for Casey Wilson on Happy Endings. She's funny and gorgeous. I loved her in the episode in which she learned that drinking made her fluent in Italian (trust me, she made the ridiculous premise actually work).
ReplyDeleteI wasn't surprised that I liked Kristen Wiig so much in this movie, even though her character was deeply flawed. Although I've never enjoyed her recurring characters on SNL, I always liked her smaller roles in movies such as Adventureland and Whip It. I wonder if she'll end up being more likeable and successful post-SNL than she was on the show.
I went expecting to enjoy some of the movie, but never thought I would enjoy it as much as I did. I haven't laughed that hard in a movie in a long time. And I was pleasantly surprised at how well the characters were written and developed.
ReplyDelete<span>I actually thought the gross-out humor, particularly the stuff in the bridal boutique, was gratuitous and felt tacked-on, which, of course, it was. </span>
ReplyDeleteI think I might be the only person in America who thought it wasn't all that funny -- well, me and the two women I went with. I thought the jokes often went on too long, and a lot of that was played for laughs wasn't funny to me. Maybe the idea of
ReplyDelete*spoilers*
of being broke, having to move home with mom, not being able to afford an expensive bridesmaid dress or a ticket to Vegas hit a little too close to home, but none of that was funny to me. And the bits that were funny were too far apart to make it worth it. I think the movie tried too hard to be too many things -- grossout comedy, physical comedy, romantic meet-cute, etc. And I went in wanting it to be as funny as The Hangover or something in that vein, but was disappointed.
If Paramount has guts, they'll run a serious Oscar campaign not just for the screenplay, but for Melissa McCarthy as Best Supporting Actress. It's exactly the kind of funny performance with heart and soul that's won before (e.g., Tomei).
ReplyDelete(They should also consider running campaigns for Kyle Chandler for Supporting Actor and Elle Fanning for Supporting Actress for Super 8, but that's another post.)
It felt somewhat tacked on, but I also admired how it was used to convey character--each of the characters had a very different way of handling the situation, be it Kemper trying to be demure about it, McCarthy's "screw it, I poop where I poop" angle, or Wiig trying to hold it in and deny a problem.
ReplyDelete<p>The only people that haven't found it funny are women, which I can't quite figure out. As SeaOtter12 said- yes- some of that stuff was "too close to home" but I thought it was both funny and gave a reason to root for the main character and tie the Melissa McCarthy character in. I'm a female and loved it.
ReplyDelete</p><p>
</p><p>I could have lost the rehearsal dinner speeches but I would have kept the section about chasing down the cop.
</p><p>
</p><p>Also, I could tell the age of those in the theatre, as only about 15% of us laughed (and laughed hard) at the George Glass joke!!! The friend I was with, who is 4 years younger, didn't get it- but she noted that those of us who got it really laughed hard.
</p>
Yes, it was very funny. The airplane scene was awesome. If they do a sequel (which seems likely, according to the AV Club), I really want to see Kristen Wiig's seatmate in coach pop up again somewhere.
ReplyDeleteThe one person who hasn't gotten as much credit as I think she deserves is Rose Byrne. That was a very tricky character to play, because she's the villain but also has to be ultimately somewhat sympathetic. And I thought she nailed it.
It's possible, since the seatmate co-wrote the film. BTW McCarthy's seatmate is her RL husband.
ReplyDeleteMy assessment mirrors Adam's: better to drop the tacked-on food poisoning scene and restore what must have been one or two cut scenes with Kemper, whose plotline completely disappeared.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to add that (1) a lesser movie would have painted Rose Byrne more black-and-white; and (2) a lesser movie wouldn't have had Wiig in the wrong so often for fear of making her unsympathetic. I liked that. On the other hand, it was very strange that Melissa McCarthy is in such a different social strata than her brother.
Also: nice touch having McCarthy's husband play her airplane seat mate.
Agreed, Adam! It was such a smart, funny, feel-good movie that was surprisingly astute and true. It left you cringing with recognition at the times when you weren't laughing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this movie - I loved that it was both hilarious and a strong portrayal of the complexities of female friendship. But I hated, hated that food poisoning scene. I didn't even watch most of it. I don't see why comedy has to go to the gross-out level to be considered funny. It felt like they were saying, "See? We can compete on the guy's level! We're just as funny and just as gross!"
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I thought the whole bridal shower scene was a great mix of over-the-top humor (the entrance to the party, the puppy party favors, the enormous cookie) mixed with Wiig's reaction to the whole thing. Her blow-up at the Paris tickets is my favorite part.
I'm so glad this thread exists. For my part, I would have expanded the Kemper storyline (and not just because my crush on her goes back to UCB stuff), but I wouldn't have cut anything. That engagement announcement speech one-up routine was the greatest thing ever -- well, until Melissa McCarthy's last beat at the bachelorette party.
ReplyDeleteThe George Glass joke killed me. I went with my husband, he didn't get it.
ReplyDelete