Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
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When I was a theater major at Northwestern University (Go Wildcats!) I had an acting teacher who was incredibly pompous, learned, and pretentious – all at the same time. He was also … let’s just say it … rather puffy in that acting teacher kind of way, by which I mean prone to making pronouncements about the “art” of acting and the “technique” of doing which were all very vague and too esoteric for my addled 19-year-old brain. He did, however, leave me with one singular impression that I have always remembered and found to be absolutely true in reality: the rarest type of performer in existence is a beautiful woman who can do comedy.
Think about it: how many comic beauties are there in Hollywood? (And I’m not including those legendary doyens of comedy like Lucille Ball and Candice Bergen, who were luminescently beautiful and screamingly funny at the same time). You can count the current number of funny ladies with model looks on one hand. With the release of Bridesmaids, I am happy to announce that you will now need two hands. Yup, put down the Chardonnay and take a deep breath, Phyllis, you need ‘em both! Finally…
The film features a cadre of uproarious and fresh faced comediennes (emphasis on the “enne”) who dare to go where virtually no female comedy has gone before: into the toilet. You might think it’s a good thing that most comedies about women tend to depend on softer moments of romantic frustration and the interplay of verbiage rather than the unapologetic, gross-out vulgarity guy comedies are made of. I (and I don’t think I’m in the minority here) find the treading of the female comic mind into hitherto male territory to be refreshing and even slightly revolutionary. Oh, and it’s hilarious to boot. I mean very, very funny. A buddy movie without a Y chromosome? Sign me up! (Oh, and for the record, I am quite male. I checked.)
Here’s a brief plot synopsis: a fairly nice if not especially blushing bride-to-be named Lillian (Maya Rudolph) asks her best friend since childhood, Annie (played by the oh-my-god-she’s-so-freakin’-brilliant Kristen Wiig) to be the maid of honor at her wedding. Lillian is a confident, well-composed woman. Annie is decidedly not, to put it mildly. Dot dot dot.
Her life is a bit of a disaster: her job sucks, she lives with a bizarre creature she refers to as her roommate, her car is a clunker, and all the men in her life flee from her like a Muslim from a ham sandwich. The one guy who actually likes her (played by Jon Hamm) is quite creepy and desperate in that special way that creepy, desperate guys just are.
So when Annie is given the opportunity to do something more than just operate in her now customary mode of desperation, she jumps at the chance – and not for the typically treacly “I want to prove myself” reasons you’d expect. She just wants to have fun.
Tagging along for the adventure (and ensuing disaster) is a band of bridesmaids—among them Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and The Office’s resident oddball cutie pie Ellie Kemper—who all prove alongside Annie that women can be quite un-ladylike in the same way that every male lead after Tom Hanks has been unlike Cary Grant.
The best thing about the movie is that it consciously avoids that old sexist pitfall of pitting women against one another or deriving its humor from allowing women to make misogynistic jokes – or worse embodying them on screen. Perhaps because Wiig co-wrote the film – or perhaps because director Paul Feig describes himself as a “feminized geek” – the film treats its progressive feminist aims without a heavy-handed approach, which is perhaps the most revolutionary thing about the movie. Audiences will come out with a new respect for the female sense of humor – and one day the qualifier will deservedly die out. Women are funny, no matter what Christopher Hitchens or Jerry Lewis might have to say. The cast of Bridesmaids proves it. And how!
Why are there an abundence of movies about weddings? I don't like comedys [with an exception of a few] or chick flicks. Yeah, into the toilet this will go.
But everything on SNL is terrible, with the exception of maybe a "Digital Short" or something, so it's gotta be the writers.
Mostly it's Lorne Michaels' fault. If you've ever read anything about how he chooses material, it's this kind of "survival of the fittest" type thing where going for cheap jokes overrides like trying to be original.
It's pretty hard to get a movie made. Outside of The Wayons, Tyler Perry, Sandler, and Kevin Smith. They all cast themselves heh. Currently, I don't remember what other actors have written a recent mainstream movie. Have some examples?
It's not that they didn't use scenes from the trailer in the movie. It's they used an alternate cut/version of the same scene.
I see this error often, just cause one writes and produces a movie doesnt mean one should jump to the head of the line for casting. Exceptions to autobiographys.
Also using enough scene cuts that didnt make the theatrical cut for the trailer that a lot of people notice and comment about it all over the web, really disinclines me wanting to watch it all the more.
Wiig did an excellent job. I would strongly suggest watching the movie. Funny enough that some things in the trailer aren't actually in the movie. Looks like it's going to do a very solid $24 million weekend, which will put it on par with 40 YO Virgin and way above Baby Mama and Hall Pass.
It's true, they could have gone with a more established or known person. That would have also upped the budget significantly though. Wiig wrote and produced the movie. Heh, why not cast herself? This allowed her to show off more of her talent than we've previously seen by far.
Exactly!
It might be a great and funny movie, but this is its box office peak, next week and the week after as the summer movies start to roll out, it will only get better.
Wiig was the wrong choice for lead. Different lead, more box office loving, im convinced of this.
I would partly agree considering you see all this campaigning during awards season, Golden Globes especially. My only caveat would be what would be the point to give Kristen one. Considering who she was up against, there would be much more to gain from any of them.
PS - Bridesmaids was a great, funny movie. Easily the best movie this year up till now. 2011 has been pretty bad so far though.
PS-Wendy is a Groundling. She's hilarious in her current Rules of Engagement run.
Thank your for telling me things that I already know about Second City...
I find all of these awards are way to motivated by politics of show business, instead of solely on their talent and their accomplishments of that year as it should be.
I find that the entertainment industry has become more incestious in the last few decades as things have further and further consolidated. This has led to a lot of currying and promising of favors, IMO, to the point that the integrity of these awards and their "worth" has been watered down in my eyes and many others I know.
abba is a guy? What a letdown.
not, really,i think it's really cool.
not everything has the fit the pre - determined gender thing/view/tone all the time does it ???
regardless, still love abba. keep your review machine firing. :)
I just DVR the shows. I get the Comedy Channel/Cartoon Network stuff confused. I think they are both owned by Viacom anyways. Ok, Adult Swim is on Cartoon Channel, so are Robot Chicken, Sealab, and Titan Maximus. It's not like Chicken and Children's Hospital are cartoons yet are on that channel. Right? Thinking too hard about this.
I know way too much background/insider stuff. It also makes me a killer at trivia. Just yesterday, I was talking about 1980s Pittsburgh Pirates and then 18th century politics 5 minutes later.
Ellie just didn't kill it on her SNL audition as much as the others. She was also one of the last cuts on Parks and Recreations that went to Aubrey Plaza if you watch that show. Jenny Slate is already off SNL.
Groundlings vs Second City has been around since the late 70s with SCTV vs SNL. They have different emphasis. Groundlings tends to be personal jokes and self deprecation while SC is more based on situational comedy.
....you either trollin' hard or you have no clue what you're talking about.
Which one is it, pumpkin? Either way, it's all good...
Ah yeah, Cartoon Network, my bad. I always lump it into that channel. Ok, I watch Sealab all the time. Heh, is that on the Comedy Channel?
Robot Chicken isn't on Comedy Central.
OK...something's up...
You know an awful lot about stuff.
And no, they're not born to hate Groundlings. Groundlings just suck, period.
Oh and BTW, Ellie writes for the Chicago edition of The Onion.
Maya and Kristen are really close friends. That's why they do so many projects together.
Ellie Kemper will end up being this generation's Julie-Louis Dreyfuss. And yeah I did know her connections. Both come from super rich families. Earned their comedy chops. Both are extra hard working to prove she can get by without the connections and the money. Nasim and Jenny Slate actually beat her in auditions or else Ellie would be on SNL today. And that video wasn't the main reason she got the Office gig. It's mainly her work as a writer and actress from Conan's show.
As for Second City, they are born to hate Groundlings which is where Kristen came from. Anyone that makes it as far as SNL has earned it. They are all very talented.
...I think I need to...um...walk the dog.
Yeah. Walk the dog.
I did laugh at the Hater. it just means someone is lurking following the thread. I found some on my comment in the VS thread about how awesome Miranda is that she is carrying the Hiltons against Adri/Candice.
I only watch a couple things on Comedy Central too, South Park and Robot Chicken. I just found it interesting that Kristen won over Betty White, Fay, Krakowski, and Jane Lynch. I'd guess you think the Emmy people are on crack too. Kristen gets nominations there too.
Hartman enjoyed his privacy and being a background guy. He didn't want to be a limelight guy. Kristen does the same. Bridesmaids will be her first starring role. All you have to do is check her IMDB resume to see she's not a front/center kind of person.
As for the talent, would you say it's a mistake that so many people want to work with her and she keeps popping up in movies/tv shows? It's not like she'll ever be a big draw.
All women can do that, provide the proper incentive;
"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned,"
Oh, that's the new hot button topic when you search for her.
I don't ACTUALLY think she's legitimately crazy. She just looks like she could pull off crazy effortlessly.
The related to her info is interesting, but I enjoyed that John Hamm was one of her drama teachers, more.
Hmm that must explain why Im attracted to her, cause I have dealt with my clothes burning out on the driveway types before....
Abba is male?
Anyway, as always riotous review!
I'm seriously waiting for his reaction when he looks up who Ellie is related to.
I was like...
O_O
...DAAAAAAAAMN.
And she supposed to be such a sweetheart...and she looks like she's a sweetheart...until you piss her off and she's outside on your front lawn, burning a pile of stuff you gave her...and she's barefoot and her eyeliner is runny and I REALLY NEED TO GO....
Here's your coffee, Mr. Draper.
^_~
@Caitie
I crush on Kemper too. You know you and I crush on a very similar set of women. Nothing ment by that, just an observation.
1.) First rule of "Hater Club" is there is no "Hater Club", I hadnt even noticed I had "earned" one till you just now pointed it out. So often when I do notice them, they only make me chuckle. On the rare occasion, not this time, when I notice I have garnered a "Hater", I have to think what I said that was so controversial.
2.) Comedy Channel?? You mean Comedy Central? If you do, I gave up on them really having any authority on what is and is not funny years ago. The only programming of theirs I watch any more is "Southpark" and "Ugly Americans"(a real quilty pleasure).
3.) Hartman also got "bypassed" because he was too much of a nice guy, and as they say; "Nice guys finish last".
4.) I still fail to see there being any real foundation to compare Hartman and Wiig's talent, but I wont go on cause Caitie covered it for me.
I've got friends who are going through Second City and all that most of them...and the Second City folks talk about is how HORRIBLE Kristen Wiig is and how she's dragging SNL down (and yeah, the writers are to blame, also...but mainly she does come up with her own shit).
Think about it like this...she's in a movie with:
Maya Rudolph...who is absolutely brilliant, the daughter of Minnie Riperton and just a naturally funny and talented woman.
Ellie Kemper...who pretty much got on The Office based on ONE VIRAL INTERNET VIDEO. Not to mention, her one woman show is hilarious. AND she can hang with Donald fuckin' Glover & the rest of the Derrick boys & keep up with them. Oh and if you really want to shit a brick. Look up her family history. And yeah, I'm a bit biased...I have a huge girl crush on her...but she *is* great, girl crush or not.
Wendi McLendon-Covey...who pretty much founded her own improv troupe and is one of the best improvisational acts out there today.
Those three right there...blow Kristen out of the water. Hell, Ellie could spout off gibberish while covered in mayo and she's still be 10000x funnier than Kristen.
Now if you want throw out that Kristen is the Phil Hartman on this particular set...I think you're forgetting that at one point, she was on the show with the female comedic equivalent of Superman & Batman: Tina Fey & Amy Poehler. That's Second City & Upright Citizens Brigade...two of the most prestigious improv comedy schools/troupes out there today being represented.
And I love Ebert...but he's way off on this one. The last thing we need is a raunchy female comedy like The Hangover. Fuuuuck that. If you have to stoop down to toilet humor...you're doing it wrong.
Co-sign.
#ifyourenotdownwithsecondcityyoufuckingsuck
It's not always right. Opinions are very subjective. But when was the last time a raunchy chick flick comedy scored this well by both the public and critics alike? The only film that has charted anywhere like this was the 1st Hangover. It will do way better than you think. It's the perfect complement to Priest, Pirates, Thor because it's drawing from a completely different demographic. Hangover 2 is the more serious threat, but it might give this movie a small boost in 2 weeks. Let's come back to this thread at the end of May.
As for Hartman, he was the glue that you could plug into any act/script and it would do great. He was bypassed by the flashier Sandler, Spade, Rock, Schneider, and Farley. You only have to check out the biographies or interviews and they all acknowledge him.
Wiig is the same way. Her main problem is the talent around her is nowhere near that level. You only have to ask her peers, the people making comedies, and those in the industry all sing her praises. I was amazed that Comedy Channel named her funniest female of the year, which I'm sure you'll hate on. Clearly, they would have been much safer with Tina Fay or their own Sarah Silverman.
PS-I didn't give you the hater heh.
p.s. And Rotten Tomatoes is always right? As is Ebert?
If anything Bridesmaids, will have a 1 weekend peak before being crushed by Pirates next weekend and then the combined might of Pirates and Hangover2 the next weekend. Id be impressed if even this weekend it does any serious damage to Thor's intake.
The Phil Hartman of this run.....
...please next time you bring drugs, make sure to bring enough for the WHOLE class.
Nasim or Kenan are the most naturally funny of the current crew.
No Kristin Wiig is terrible. Plus you cant blame the writters on SNL, cause most of her most "popular" characters on SNL are actually of her own creation.
P.S. SNL writting has gone down hill since Conan left. TEAM COCO!
Slow down, playa, Kristin Wiig is terrible on SNL, her movies are cool though.
And really it isn't even her, it's the writers. The writers on SNL are fucking trash.
I'm not sayin' she's not partially responsible, but since Tina Fey left, that writing's been horrendous. I don't even fuck with SNL that much anymore. Unwatchable.
Amazingly, this is one of the best reviewed movies so far this year. And has the highest score of any 2011 movie on Rotten Tomatoes. Ebert already thinks the success of this movie is going to spawn copycat female raunch movies. I too was skeptical thanks to the trailer.
I had no doubt I would go watch it anyways. People may hate on Kristin Wiig, but she is the Phil Hartman of the current run. It's an understated brilliance.
I like it!
THANK. YOU.
A billion rocks to you, sir.
Anything with Kristin Wigg in it has got to be awful. I have no clue how that woman stay on Saturday night live. She is awful. Not funny in any way at all.
Don't forget the tat pic!
You can come over in a couple of hours. I've got a research project I'm slacking on. After that, I'm probably going to knock back a couple, smoke a little and wait for my GF to get off so I can give her a friggin' pedicure.
Letdown? Its effing disturbing that's what!
I know, shocker!
Of course this was supposed to be a reply to Caitie. Damn blackberry. i need an iphone.
Yeah I saw that clip on Conan plus another one with Jon Hamm, I'm in.
Would it help if I came over with some brews and we lamented the defeat of the Blackhawks?
I see Ellie Kemper.
And Wendi McLendon-Covey.
I"m automatically predisposed to like this...but I see Kristen Wiig...and she makes me want to launch into a She-Hulk like rage and destroy things.
I'm torn.
abba is a guy? What a letdown.
really, I saw a clip w/ the fat chick in the airplane & thought it was pretty hilarious...