Bridesmaid Movie as reviewed in The Phantom TollboothStep aside hung-over wolf pack. There is a group of ladies vying for your top spot in the buddy comedy world.

Step aside hung-over wolf pack. There is a group of ladies vying for your top spot in the buddy comedy world. Fueled by the writing of SNL gal Kristen Wiig, and love him or hate him producer Judd Apatow; Bridesmaids goes where no female comedy has gone before. That doesn't mean it's a good thing overall but you have to give them kudos for making the effort. This R rated comedy tried too hard, and put too much in, and for that I blame, as I always do, Mr. Apatow.  

The story is perfect fodder for hilarity. Annie (Kristen Wiig) is bouncing down life's mountain on her way to rock bottom. Her job, boyfriend, finances, friendships; all are crumbling in on top of her. The only constant in her life is her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph). When Lillian asks Annie to be her maid of honor it is her one chance to shine. Problem is she is being constantly outshone by Lillian's new gal pal Helen (Rose Byrne). As Annie tries to outdo Helen things go from bad to worse.  

There are so many laugh out loud moments in this film that I lost count. Wiig is one of the funniest women out there and when combined with SNL alumni Rudolph, The Office's Ellie Kemper, and Mike and Molly's Melissa McCarthy; you get a well balanced group that know how to deliver comedic lines, and what were surely a lot of improvisational moments. The problem was not the lack of comedy but the addition of typical Apatow stupidity that took away from the comedy so much more than it added to it. This film was over two hours long and could have been a very solid 90 minutes of side splitting humor.  

I have to mention that at least two side plots were totally useless in this film and did nothing but take up space. Any producer worth his salt would have made sure they were left on the editing room floor. He should have trusted his ladies to take the simple premise of wedding scenarios and rock it. And in those scenes they did. There are moments that will have you doubled over with laughter. And those times are to mainly to the credit of Wiig and McCarthy. Chris O'Dowd plays an adorable state trooper that takes a fancy to Annie. Unless you watch the IT Crowd you may be unaware of O'Dowd's skills as a loveable yet sometimes clueless character actor. He is a perfect fit here among the loud, brash, and hysterical female characters. His softness brings a nice balance.  

Bridesmaids is rated R for some strong sexuality, and language throughout. The trailer sort of fools you into thinking this is going to be a slightly off color film when in essence it is as blatantly crude as any guy film ever made. These ladies sling obscenities without a blush. The dialog is gratuitous and there isn't an envelope out there that doesn't get pushed or at least kicked a little. Although it could have been a very funny film for any and all GNO's this one crosses lines that will exclude many groups. I strongly urge you to use caution when considering this for a date night outing or a mixed group setting unless you are completely comfortable with those you are with. I give it 3.75 out of 5 street squats. Wiig proves again her comedic prowess and the rest of the cast step up and go for the gold. But those who have forgotten Apatow's other debacles like Year One, Funny People, and Talladega Nights are soon reminded of how he can quickly ruin what could have been.     

Matt Mungle 

Review copyright 2011 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.