McCarthy’s comedy can exist only in an ensemble
Bridesmaids has been described by some as Hangover for women. But the film, an acerbic look at female friendships, love and hate — deserves to stand on its own merit, rather than be compared to a trope it willfully avoids — that of a male-centric world in which women are reduced to the props of a nagging wife, needy girlfriend or career dominatrix. The movie begins with Annie, played by Kristen Wiig (who also co-wrote the screenplay) whose life is in disarray — she sleeps with a jerk and has a dead-end job. When her best friend Lillian gets engaged, she is forced to attempt to get her life together, or at least fake it enough to make it through the bureaucratic nightmare of arranging a ‘dream’ wedding. Annie gets into a mental - and eventually physical - battle with another bridesmaid for Lillian’s favour. The movie is one of the funniest of the year, and the female-dominated cast nails comedic zingers with deadpan panache. The crude and brassy Megan, played by Melissa McCarthy, steals the show. McCarthy plays the red-faced, large woman with complete self-belief and a gruff swagger (“I bought an 18-wheeler a couple of months ago just because I could”), but the performance is largely one-note and broad; a comedy sketch that can only comfortably exist in an ensemble. The film has a better chance of winning the Best Original Screenplay award, in case the Academy attempts to — in a move that would be out of the ordinary — be in tune with popular tastes.
Bridesmaids has been described by some as Hangover for women. But the film, an acerbic look at female friendships, love and hate — deserves to stand on its own merit, rather than be compared to a trope it willfully avoids — that of a male-centric world in which women are reduced to the props of a nagging wife, needy girlfriend or career dominatrix. The movie begins with Annie, played by Kristen Wiig (who also co-wrote the screenplay) whose life is in disarray — she sleeps with a jerk and has a dead-end job. When her best friend Lillian gets engaged, she is forced to attempt to get her life together, or at least fake it enough to make it through the bureaucratic nightmare of arranging a ‘dream’ wedding. Annie gets into a mental - and eventually physical - battle with another bridesmaid for Lillian’s favour. The movie is one of the funniest of the year, and the female-dominated cast nails comedic zingers with deadpan panache. The crude and brassy Megan, played by Melissa McCarthy, steals the show. McCarthy plays the red-faced, large woman with complete self-belief and a gruff swagger (“I bought an 18-wheeler a couple of months ago just because I could”), but the performance is largely one-note and broad; a comedy sketch that can only comfortably exist in an ensemble. The film has a better chance of winning the Best Original Screenplay award, in case the Academy attempts to — in a move that would be out of the ordinary — be in tune with popular tastes.
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