“Bridesmaids” Features a Grand Showcase of Kristen Wiig and a Talented Ensemble!
In Paul Feig’s endearing comedy, we meet Kristen Wiig’s Annie; a former-bakery-owner-turned-jewelry-store employee that is having an on-again-off-again relationship with her former boyfriend and co-worker Ted- played with fiendish charm by Jon Hamm. With her lovelife going nowhere, Annie finds out that her lifelong friend Lillian, played candidly by Maya Rudolph, is finally engaged. This makes Kristen Wiig’s protagonist very distraught; as she fears that she is losing her best friend to someone else. Fortunately, however, Lillian asks Annie to be her maid of honor; which makes the later very happy- but still worried. At the engagement party, our heroine meets her fellow bridesmaids; which include the unhappily-married Rita, played with great cynicism by Wendi McLendon-Covey, the blissfully newlywed Becca- portrayed by Ellie Kemper with grand perkiness, and the sharp-shooting Megan—played hysterically by Melissa McCarthy. Annie also meets the narcissistic Helen; Lillian’s newest friend—played by Rose Byrne with grand conceitedness. Helen’s relationship with Maya Rudolph’s Lillian makes our protagonist very jealous and worried; seeing as she now has a rival vying for her friend's compaionship. Following the party, Annie is pulled over by the kindly Police Officer Nathan Rhodes, played gingerly by Chris O’Dowd, who notices that her tail lights need repairing; and they start talking about her management of her bakery; which was entitled "Cake Baby." As they continue to meet throughout the film, they start to form a relationship; but Kristen Wiig's Annie continues to be trepidatious upon hearing his encouragement to start baking again. Also, as Annie tries to come up with ideas for Maya Rudolph's Lillian's pre-wedding festitivities, Rose Byrne’s Helen always manages to successfully come out on top and impress their fellow bridesmaids. And, as events unfold in front of our eyes, not only does Kristen Wigg give a great performance as her protagonist, but all the talented women who embody the film’s core ensemble make us laugh, make us feel, and most of all, make us cheer.
When watching Kristen Wiig’s engaging role as Annie, she ensures a comedic feat that is both hilarious and sincere. While I'm not entirely a fan of some of her characters on Saturday Night Live, due to the fact that the same jokes occur each time they appear, it is so wonderful to see the talented actress bring us a tremendously-original and deep performance as Annie.Also, throughout her performance in "Bridesmaids," Kristen Wiig demonstrates all kinds of comedy; including physical, verbal, and subtle. Moreover, her ability to speak in a comically fast-paced manner is brilliantly employed; mainly when her character is nervously intimidated by Rose Byrne's Helen. Therefore, her large comedic skills keep your eyes glued to the screen; thus allowing you to laugh strongly and honestly.
But, while she is capable of bringing significant humor to the film, Kristen Wiig is able to bring forward a significant amount of frankness to her role as well. Right when it is revealed that Maya Rudolph’s Lillian is engaged, you can see the extreme dread in Wiig’s eyes; seeing as her protagonist fears that she will be losing her lifelong friend and that she will be completely alone. Also, when Kristen Wiig’s Annie is in the presence of Rose Byrne’s Helen, it is more-than-easy to observe the immense panic brewing; as Wiig’s protagonist fears that she will interfere with her lifelong friendship with Maya Rudolph's Lillian . In addition, during Kristen Wiig’s sequences with Chris O’Dowd’s Officer Nathan Rhodes, you can clearly see that while our heroine is developing emotional feelings, she remains more-than-hesitant to start making cakes again despite his positive support. In fact, in every scene she is in, Kristen Wiig is able to hold her ground, thus making her protagonist completeky human on all levels. In other words, while she is able to be hilarious, Kristen Wiig is also capable of pulling off a completely truthful performance as well; thus certifying herself as a more-than-genuine actress!
Image of Kristen Wiig taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bridesmaids+%2B+Kristen+Wiig&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=3nv8KaqWRGDNpM:&imgrefurl=http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/825503/visiting-kristen-wiig-on-the-bridesmaids-set&docid=ZgQuwvGbwcN5nM&w=450&h=300&ei=iBNlTurmEJDrgQf08pGICg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=374&vpy=249&dur=2515&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=140&ty=92&page=1&tbnh=139&tbnw=191&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0&biw=1280&bih=596However, while Kristen Wiig brings us a high-quality performance as Annie, the rest of the cast are truly memorable as their respective characters as well. For instance, Maya Rudolph confirms a fine performance as Lillian; Kristen Wig’s Annie’s long-term friend and the film’s designated straightwoman. As seen from their years on Saturday Night Live together, the two actresses posses great chemistry; seeing as their acting skills match perfectly—thus making their on-screen relationship completely real and inspired. As you watch “Bridesmaids,” you can tell that the two characters care for each other immensely; even though Rudolph’s character becomes increasingly irritated by the erratic behavior of Kristen Wiig’s Annie. However, because of their great chemistry and acting skills, you sincerely hope that everything turns out well for the two friends and that the film’s end is a happy one.
Although it is more-than-important to highlight the splendid performances of both lead actresses, Rose Byrne’s enthusiastic turn as the annoyingly-perfect Helen is also definitely worth highlighting. As the designated rival of Kristen Wiig’s protagonist, Byrne is able to allow us to completely cringe at her attempts to seize control of all the wedding preparations. Right when we meet Helen, Byrne is able to present an absolute sensation of over-aptness that defines her character. Byrne's feat as Helen allows us to like-but-be-annoyed by her constantly one-upping Kristen Wiig’s Annie. Thus, we are able to completely feel for our heroine—and continuously hope that she is able to emerge victorious and show Maya Rudolph’s Lillian just how much she appreciates her friendship. In addition, Byrne’s chemistry with Wiig is also great; and watching the pair go at it with each other is both enjoyable and emotionally-thrilling. In other words, Rose Byrne's casting is genius; and her acting is a devilish delight.
Image of Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bridesmaids+%2B+Rose+Byrne+AND+KRISTEN+WIIG&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=eTP0qGuy8TgWEM:&imgrefurl=http://movies.about.com/od/bridesmaids/ig/Bridesmaids-Photos/Kristen-Wiig-Rose-Byrne.htm&docid=jSSmiG2Q9xewKM&w=500&h=394&ei=lBRlTv-WOsjLgQft1eGQCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=600&vpy=87&dur=5485&hovh=199&hovw=253&tx=93&ty=90&page=1&tbnh=135&tbnw=184&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&biw=1280&bih=596
And Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, and Melissa McCarthy are also great throughout the film; seeing as they provide great laugh-filled moments as their designated characters. As fellow bridesmaids Rita and Becca, McLendon-Covey and Kemper posses great chemistry respectively; seeing as their on-screen personas carry differing stances towards the concept of marriage. In addition, Melissa McCarthy achieves a truly unforgettable and hilarious feat as the energetic Megan; whose in-your-face attitude helps her steal the spotlight in many of her scenes. McCarthy ensures a hilarious-but-honest act as her designated character; thus winning the mirth and applause from the audience. Needless to say, Melissa McCarthy brings us the most memorable supporting character of the film.
It should also be mentioned that the performances by Chris O’Dowd and Jon Hamm as the love interests of Kristen Wiig’s Annie are also very enjoyable. As Wiig’s passing fling Ted, Hamm beings us a hilariously self-centered manner; considering that his character is not at all interested in Annie's feelings as all. Furthermore, O’Dowd brings forward a charming approach as Police Officer Nathan Rhodes; who aspires to help Annie get out of her funk and make her life better. Wiig’s chemistry with both actors is top-notch; and all their scenes together are well-performed. In fact, it is more-than-safe to say that the entire cast of “Bridesmaids” are proficient as their characters and they all possess great comedic timing.
Despite all the great aspects about the movie, there are, of course, a few setbacks. For one thing, even though Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo have written a truly winning screenplay, there are a couple scenes that do drag and certain jokes are a tad predictable. Also, I really wish that Maya Rudolph was allotted some more time to demonstrate her comedic talents. And, on that note, I also wish that Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, and Melissa McCarthy had a larger presence in the film as well. Fortunately, however, we are treated to some cleverly-written and brilliantly-performed sequences that showcased the ensemble working together in a more-than-hilarious manner. They all interact greatly together; and their comedic performances match-up perfectly. In other words, the scenes in which all six women are together on screen are the most memorable!
Image taken from http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bridesmaids+movie&hl=en&sa=X&tbm=isch&prmd=ivns&tbnid=rr0cZhdvVynznM:&imgrefurl=http://www.altmedia.net.au/bridesmaids/37855&docid=r6vkC3F_3NHnDM&w=477&h=317&ei=NhJlTr7nL5TpgQfRus20Cg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=641&vpy=293&dur=125&hovh=183&hovw=276&tx=167&ty=150&page=7&tbnh=118&tbnw=164&start=106&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:106&biw=1280&bih=596
(Cast as clockwise: Melissa McCarthy as Megan, Ellie Kemper as Becca, Rose Byrne as Helen, Wendi McLendon-Covey as Rita, Maya Rudolph as Lillian, and Kristen Wiig as Annie)
All in all, “Bridesmaids” is definitely a comedy worth watching and remembering. I definitely salute Kristen Wiig for giving the world an R-rated comedy everybody could enjoy. After all, besides the power of romance, nothing brings people together more than the power of laughter!
E-mail me at thatsnatertainment@gmx.com
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