The Players: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd
The Makers: Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo (writers), Paul Feig (director), Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel and Clayton Townsend (producers)
Run time: 120 minutes
So, what do you get when you put a douchey Jon Hamm together with a very butch Melissa McCarthy, a penis imitation, a Brady Bunch reference and some really bad food poisoning?
You get this:
As Annie gets increasingly insecure about Helen and Lillian's blossoming friendship, her inner crazy kicks into high-gear and she begins to lose control as the chaos of her personal life takes its toll on her friendship with Lillian. After a disastrous lunch and bridal fitting, followed by a horrifically embarrassing attempted bachelorette party trip, the tension between Annie and Lillian is high. Lillian asks Annie to step aside to allow Helen to take over the planning and Annie....well, Annie basically loses her shit and hits rock bottom.
Everything about these female characters is spot on. Annie's forced enthusiasm and feelings of inferiority during Lillian's wedding preparations is a feeling I know many women can identify with, and Wiig's chemistry with Rudolph perfect. The script, co-written by Wiig, is impressively sharp and the dialogue between the friends is genuinely heartfelt and comedic at the same time. A wonderful esemble cast featuring Melissa McCarthy, whose in-your-face honesty is simultaneously horrifying and entertaining, and Rose Byrne as the perfect Helen, portrays an hilariously over the top bridal party doing what they can to make Lillian's weddning preparations special. The It Crowd's Chris O'Dowd has a nice supporting role as the adorable Rhodes, Annie's policeman love interest, and his understated humor plays nicely off Annie's chaotic energy.
Yes, this is a chick flick. But it's a chick flick written by women, starring women and it's incredibly funny. There's no horribly cliched sad love story or cheesy fashion montage (*coughsexandthecitycough*) to sit through just to get to the good parts. It's a story about two women at different places in their lives trying to figure out how their separate journeys will influence their friendship, which is a story every woman can identify with. While many might write it off as a "girls'" boys' film, it's actually not. It's just a really, really funny movie that has an obvious female influence every step of the way. If that opens the door to more movies like this, than who are we to complain?
I'm just going to say it: this film was possibly the funniest film I've ever seen. It's waaaaay better than The Hangover (which, FYI, I dont' think was as funny as everyone says. There, I said it). This is probably the best movie I've seen this year, and I think it will remain that way for a while.
In a word: hilarious Pin It
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8 comments:
My housemate saw this last night and loved it, so with two recommendations now, I think I'll have to go see it :)
I loved it, except for 2 little things. 1 - the poop humor, it was a little too much for me. 2 - I really really like Melissa McCarthy and thought she was under used, she was the best when she was giving Annie a wake up call, the other stuff was borderline obnoxious.
Otherwise loved it! It even made me LOVE Kristin Wiig.
I absolutely loved this movie, I found it soooo funny! Your review is spot-on :)
Hannah, it's definitely worth it!
Mofo, that's funny - I thought the poop humor was exactly the right amount, and the same for Melissa McCarthy - anymore and I would have been a bit sick of her. The scene where Megan goes to see Annie is awesome though. I really liked that she made her own up to her behaviour.
aelie - I know, I honestly haven't laughed that much in a loooong time. So good!
I can't wait to see this movie. Great review. You've motivated me to schedule a date! :)
Jenny, definitely go and see it asap. I'm glad we were in a theatre full of people, the atmosphere was great and everyone seemed to love it!
I can't wait to see this movie. I love Paul Feig - Freaks and Geeks is one of my favourite shows ever, and he wrote an amazingly sweet and funny memoir called Kick Me, which I highly recommend everyone in the world should read. Plus Kristin Wiig, and that Mike and Molly chick, and a movie about chicks that isn't Sex and The City... AWESOME.
Dee, that's what I loved about it - it was completely the opposite of Sex & The City. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudoplh were just like regular women. It was so funny - you definitely have to check it out!
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