The week Bridesmaids came out, I trekked to the theatre. I’d heard the hype and eagerly sat in my seat like a giddy dork waiting for the lights to go down so I could revel in 2 hours of pure estrogen created hilarity. Instead of leaving the theatre on a high note, I left with a bad feeling in my stomach. Sort of like when you realize you ran a red light or you see pictures of the Olsen twins leaving their twelvefiftygazillionbajillion dollar apartments wearing something you threw into a dumpster after fourth grade.
Let’s start with all the advertising and hype. It was repeatedly billed as the female reply to “The Hangover” (the first one, not the second one- let’s not even pretend that was good). Both films deal with a group of friends celebrating the nupitals of one of their own. Both even involve Vegas, though one film actually manages to get the crew there. Both films have likeable characters and funny moments but that’s where it ended for me. Bridesmaids sank into the depths of movies you wouldn’t watch again unless you stumbled upon it on tv, and The Hangover will be a movie that I annoyingly quote for the rest of my life.
The Hangover created a sense of community- you watched that movie and you felt those dudes had each others back. They were friends. They were in a FUCKING WOLFPACK. When shit went down (like, finding a tiger in the bathroom or you know, realizing that your buddy married a stripper and gave her his grandmother’s Holocaust ring), the men tackled the issue together. They problem solved. When they realized they had lost their friend, they didn’t pull out the bitch card and start attacking each other. They pulled out their receipts in came up with a plan. They pushed a car that broke down together, all the way to Mike Tyson’s house.
In Bridesmaids, the girls were constantly at each other. Within minutes of meeting each other, two of the girls are already vying to be the ‘number one’ friend of the bride. The movie is a continuing reel of women hurting other women in order to get ahead and plays on every insecurity a woman may have while dealing with adult friendships. Even after the main character gets kicked off a plane (due to mixing medication and alcohol because of her fear of flying) her best friend since forever, hands over her bridesmaid duties to another girl. Later on, they have a spastic fight at a bridal shower that left me cringing. Instead of being part of a wolfpack, I watched Bridesmaids wondering when the women were going to stop attacking each other.
The Hangover has romantic moments that are the punctuation to an already great story. You don’t watch the movie wondering ‘Oh geez, how is Stu feeling about his drunken escapades with the dancer? Does she still like him? Will they raise the baby together?”. The movie is about the men and the adventure they go on and the fun they have along the way.
Conversely, Bridesmaids is clogged with an unnecessary romantic story that does little to improve the movie. Of course the man is charming and ruggedly handsome but I watched the movie wondering, “why is he in this movie?“. I am a woman who is capable of watching a movie about the relationships women have with each other and the personal struggles they face (including Brazillian food poisoning) without needing a romantic interest. It’s not required. Women movie goers are capable of seeing single leading women and not feel a nagging ‘but where is the love interest?’. I wish someone would have given the writers of Bridesmaids this memo.
With all of that said, I adore “chick flicks” and understand the role romance can play in those movies but Bridesmaids wasn’t promoted in that way. It was promoted as the female’s version of The Hangover and it left me disappointed.
So I give Bridesmaids an F. (The same grade I give the conclusion of this post because I got tired of ranting)
I had a similar feeling of disappointment when watching – especially in regards to the bizarre romantic story line for Kristen Wiig, but ultimately I felt it was a step in the right direction. An all female cast, no male lead to bring viewers or anything. And I laughed a lot, so hopefully this is a step in the right direction for Hollywood and they can keep improving it until we’re not at each others throats and boy crazy :)
I came to your blog recently and love your tone. That movie? Bridesmaids? Made me want to cry. I hated it so much. What kind of best friend ditches her friend for a rich new one?
I agree with your F and your reasons are spot on. I watched it a few weeks ago, after having managed to avoid all trailers for the better part of the summer, and I was so disappointed.
I did laugh laugh when that butterfly flew out of the invitation though. That was priceless. But overall, for me, it wasn’t a movie about female friendship at all. Maybe, it never intended to be, but the way it portrayed the two central characters was just lazy. I think I expected something like Mean Girls but grown up so there wouldn’t be any of that high school crap.
Except, they were just older.
I loved Bridesmaids for the most part, mainly because there were so many truths about female interactions. While watching Kristen Wiig force out a fake “squeee!” as her BFF announced she was engaged, my friends and I were like, “Dude, girls are TOTALLY like that!” We hate to admit it, but maybe admitting it is the first step to overcoming it? If my life is in the crapper, I curse “love life!” FB statuses and blog posts, even those of people I like. Sad, but true, and I think it’s always better to honest.
And I thought Kristen Wiig was hilarious in general, and I like seeing funny women in movies.
So yeah, I give it a B+!
I haven’t seen it, yet. I was hopeful for it, though because Judd Apatow produced it and I think Melissa McCarthy is absolutely hilarious. It makes me sad to find out that it doesn’t live up it’s reputation. You would think at the very least if you were going to bill a movie as a modern comedy for women, it would pass the Bechdel Test.
Actually, it does pass the Bechdel test…. which is one of its more redeeming qualities.
I haven’t seen the movie (and I want to! Now out of curiosity from what you said here) but you bring up a great point. Why does there always have to be some underlying romantic tone in movies? Not just romantic movies or female comedies but like EVERY SINGLE MOVIE. I love me a good love story but (and I can’t believe I’m admitting this) I went to see Cowboys and Aliens and while it was awful on a multitude of levels, there was a stupid little love plot that didn’t make much sense for the movie and seemed to have been thrown in there for the girlfriends who were forced to see that movie. Just makes me wonder.
Now I really wish I hadn’t given Bridesmaids back to my friend without watching it. I mean, who needs sleep?
I agree with Michelle; the movie truly represents how women interact with each other in real life. If a guy doesn’t get to be the Best Man? Eh, he drinks a beer with the groom, throws darts with whoever the Best Man is and that’s that. A woman? Would FREAK out if who she considered her best friend did not ask her to be her Maid of Honor.
Think back to middle school, boys will punch it out, girls hold on to grudges for life. doesn’t change when we grow up.
I am only posting this because I wanted to know when follow-ups were posted, sorry!!!
I disagree about the movie in general. I hate the idea as much as anyone that all women hate each other, but I got from Bridesmaids more the idea that friendship is hard sometimes. And when you mess up with friends, there are real consequences (like getting kicked out of a wedding), but that doesn’t mean you’ll never be forgiven. On top of which, it was a comedy, so I don’t take it to be the truth of how women act any more than I would take the Hangover as the truth about how men act.
But, yeah, totally agree about the marketing, which is almost always out of the control of the writers. It’s obnoxious that a movie with women is always labeled as only appealing to women and that it was a surprise that women can be funny and make people spend money at the box office.
I’m sorry I don’t commment (or at least, haven’t for a long time), and have only come out of the woodwork to disagree (cliche alert, I admit it), but I can’t help myself in this case. I LOVED the film. I gave it an A. When I came home from the theater, I felt bubbly from laughing, AND contemplative, because some of the issues the main character deals with are things I’ve struggled with in my own life. Plus, it’s a film about women, and I’m a big fan of More Films About Women. I’m sad that you didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. So I feel compelled to respectfully! disagree with this review.
Bridesmaids was not written to be a “Female Hangover.” (So yes, for anyone who hasn’t seen it, if you watch the film with that expectation, you will be disappointed.) It’s not about a group of friends. It’s about Annie (Kristin Wieg’s character). Specifically, it’s about Annie’s struggle to straighten out her life – her place of residence, her career, and her relationships with men are all in shambles. All of these areas of discontent come to head when she perceives that she is in danger of losing the only thing that was actually working in her life: her relationship with her best friend. The film doesn’t feature a group of women tearing each other down – out of the six main women characters the competition is strictly between two (Annie and Helen). And despite that, the movie is pretty clear that Annie’s biggest struggle is with herself.
I did agree that the film didn’t need the romance quotient (so I liked how Annie told him that he “couldn’t [fix] her”), but personally, I enjoyed it. I did think that there were a few too many scenes of Annie emoting by herself – the film didn’t need all of those scenes, and they slowed things down.
Re: Wolfpack. Maybe you would have seen a movie of women working together if this movie was actually about something external – but this is a movie about internal crap people go through when dealing with themselves. However, during the moment that was the most Hangover-esque – Annie and Helen search for their lost friend – they DO work together to solve the problem, and exhibit kindness toward each other which lasts for the remainder of the film. (Plus, the film also has Wilson Phillips. Awesomeness.) So blame the marketing for lying to audiences about the film, not the film! Hollywood hardly EVER makes films about women, so it’s not surprising that they had no clue how to properly sell it.
Finally it’s hard to read about Bridesmaids being compared negatively with The Hangover, especially as it’s done with the Feminist purpose of critiquing films that feature women tearing each other down! (I strongly agree with you that this stereotype is crap; I just don’t think that it applied, in the case of this movie.) Bridesmaids actually gives roles, character dimension and LINES to talented women actresses in a way that dude-bro comedies do not. Whereas The Hangover features not only one of the most blatantly hateful and misogynist woman characters in recent history – Melissa – but it’s also a film that celebrates notorious physical assaulter (of women and men) and convicted rapist Mike Tyson. (I am not saying that you said “This isn’t Feminist!” but that the argument that film shouldn’t be insulting to women is a Feminist argument.)
(Full Disclosure: I thought The Hangover was hilarious. But it’s also sexist as hell.)
Thank you, Amanda, for saying what I was thinking only 800 per cent more eloquently.
Yes! I loved Bridesmaids and found it even more funny and likeable the second time around. I felt it was pretty darn real and has nothing to do with the Hangover. In fact, I hated the Hangover.
I’m all for more funny films with females like Kristin Wiig and Melissa McCarthy!
There was so much hype over this movie that I couldn’t wait to rent the DVD when it came out. I chuckled in a few parts, but not like I did when I watched The Hangover. When Bridesmaids ended I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t like it as much as I’d thought I would. That is, until I read your blog :-) You pointed out all the reasons why it just didn’t do it for me. I agree with one of the comments – friendships ARE difficult at times, we screw up and it doesn’t mean we’re never forgiven, but… I honestly didn’t want to learn any life lessons when I watched this. I just wanted to laugh hysterically – which didn’t happen. Although I do like Melissa McCarthy (loved Gilmore Girls) and her character’s antics in Bridesmaides were (IMO) the only funny parts in the movie.
You raise some really valid points. Though I do think that women are catty and back-stabby and icky to one another even as we get older. It’s terrible. There wasn’t a pack mentality like The Hangover, you’re right. I felt like they added the love interest bit because they wanted to show that the main character, who clearly had issues with relationships, could finally find a guy. They made it seem like part of her “problem” was needing a relationship. It was an unnecessary plot line though I did like the guy she falls for and it showed a sweet guy showing up for a girl.
I have to agree with Michelle and Sylvie. I loved the movie; laughed through the entire thing. And although I’m not sure my friends would act like the gals in the movie did, there ARE plenty of women out there like that. I think by taking the cattiness over the top, they were making it even more funny – mocking behavior that’s really just silly to begin with. Sort of like how the guys’ idiotic choices in The Hangover took stereotypical male behavior over the top. I went into Bridesmaids expecting to laugh and it delivered, so it gets an A in my book.
I’m really glad you wrote this. I wanted to love Bridesmaids. I wanted it to be funny and authentic and silly and honest. But you’re right, it missed the mark. I mean, yes, I wanted Kristin Wiig’s character to hook up with the cop because I think she deserved it. But did it need to be a major story arc? Nah.
I am 100% DONE with catty bitch storylines, though, especially when class is implicated. That was unnecessary. And even IF “some” women act like that, women also need to understand that THEY DON’T HAVE TO ACT LIKE THAT. Essentializing gendered behavior doesn’t help ANYONE. It’s not constructive.
Last, but not least, I do think the film made great strides in proving that women are, in fact, funny and can, in fact, carry blockbuster films on their own. (Despite what gender-stereotypical-Hollywood may think.)
I had a similar reaction. When I told friends that I didn’t like it, and they were shocked, I explained that it was advertised wrong. Her life is really fucking awful, and quite the downer. Yes, Melissa McCarthy was hilarious and there were funny moments, but overall I found the tone pretty dark and non-Hangover-esque. So glad to hear someone agree finally.
i thought this movie definitely had its moments that made me laugh out loud at the ridiculousness but overall it wasn’t my favorite. and most likely for all the reasons you listed.
I LOVED the movie. Argue with me if you want, but I think some of the things in the movie were spot on as far as how women act sometimes. Not every girl has mushy lovey dovey always there for you friends. And the love interest thing? Sorta lame, but sorta not. Like the car scene where he’s pulled over on the side of the road and she’s driving past him a million times to get his attention? FUNNY. I couldn’t stop laughing thoughout the entire movie. I give it an A+ and can’t wait to go out and buy it so I can drink wine and watch it with my mama. She’ll think it’s funny.
Thank you for writing this!
I think the issue I had with the movie was that the characters weren’t even that likable. The main character was probably one of the better ones but, why did they have to portray her as feeling so shitty all the time? Why does a comedy about women have to be so self-deprecating? Why can’t they create a movie that’s about women who are successful, feel good about themselves, and actually like each other that’s also funny? Is that really too much to ask for Hollywood?!!
I totally agree with your review. The entire thing left me feeling disappointed. I hated that the marketing did not align with the film, but even if I move past the fact that it was NOT “The Hangover for Women,” it still didn’t do it for me. I didn’t identify with the characters. I hated the cat fight bit. I didn’t think it was necessary to have romantic plot line. Melissa McCarthy was the only redeeming quality.
Just once I’d like to watch a female driven comedy that doesn’t have a romantic plot line.
I want to watch a film with women working together on something that doesn’t involve a relationship with a man or finding a man.
Now and Then for grownups, if you will.
I really have no desire to see that movie. Is indifference still what it is when confirmed? :-) Great post
I enjoyed the movie and laughed a lot but the cattiness did bother me. I was sad that a movie led by awesome and hilarious women had to include women attacking women and the love interest wasn’t necessary. I wish it could have been more about female togetherness, and less about jealousy, but I’ve got to asking that I’ve experienced similar situations within friend groups in terms of competiveness. Like Jenn said though, I do think it’s a step in the right direction, even if there are a few more steps to go.
this movie was not funny at all! i barely laughed at a movie that i was told was the funniest movie ever….i despised every character and the story line was awful
My boyfriend and I watched this the other day hoping it was as hilarious as people said. I love chick flick. And when I say that I mean BAD chick flicks. Yet, I could not stand this movie. Someone needs to make a good strong female character for the screen; one we can like.
I will post as the first man posting. I have seen this movie twice – once in the theater with my girlfriend and once on DVD over the weekend with my gf and another woman friend. Both times we all thought the movie was friggin’ HILLARIOUS. Let me also say that I have watched and loved every other Apatow movie out there and thought the Hangover was pretty good too.
Now for those women saying on this string…why can’t they make comedies where smart women work together. I’ll tell you why. THAT IS NOT FUNNY. Women working together is one of the least funny things I can think of. Women are generally only funny when they are back-stabbing and ridiculous and that quality comes back to bite them in the rear. That is simply a fact. If you look at most male comedy, it is generally only funny when it is self-deprecating. That is the very nature of slapstick…laughing at the comedian. Look at 2.5 men, look at King of Queesn, heck, look at the Honeymooners, it is only funny when you are laughing at the comedian. In fact, the funny thing about the Hangover is that they are such a bunch of idiots. Not that they are working together.
So if women want to step into the role of funny and not just be the window dressing while the men are being funny, then they must realize that to be funny you must be ridiculous and then laugh at yourself. Anything else can be a lot of things…dramatic, sad, uplifting, etc., but it’s not funny.
In other words, if you want to play in the big leagues of funny, put on your big girl pants.
I was really looking forward to watching this movie and was completely disappointed. First of all because it really shows women in a nasty light and yes these things do happen, especially when women get wedding fever, but not to that extent.
What made Hangover funny for me was that it was guys getting into trouble while trying to have fun – not intentionally hurting other people or trying to steal the show.
I felt sorry for the characters in Bridesmaids. I really did. Especially the main character who really seems like she needs help and lots of it! Steel Magnolias or My Best Friend’s Wedding are the movies that make me feel good as you can see the characters evolve and ultimately think about other people’s happiness, not just their own.
I do not agree that women working together is not funny and do not think that guys going after each other would be funnier than them working together. Women working out things together is what Sex and the City was all about and the more recent 2 Broke Girls and I think it’s way more empowering and funny than any girl-fight will ever be. Staying together and working through problems together is what makes shows like Friends and How I Met Your Mother hilarious and leaves that good positive feeling in my gut.
disliked the entire movie… in fact never watched it all the way through….. Hated images of the “ladies” racing to lavatories, planters even hoisting skirts in the middle of a busy street…the street. Seeing Melissa McCarthy at various awards programs brings back ugly visions of her sitting on a wash- hand basin dealing with her gastroenteric problems! It had little to do with humor… just vulgar lavatory humor.
hated this movie!! It was like a bunch of guys wrote a movie just to see if girls would do all the stupid stuff they would. UGH
I want that 2 hours of my life back!!
Oh and I have been to 7 weddings of my friends in the last 10 years and NOBODY has acted anything like these bit**es did!!