When I found out that there was a film called Bachelorette being released and indeed starring someone from the cast of a very similar film, I could only groan at the lack of originality. Bridesmaids was such a tremendous hit, it didn't surprise me that a rip-off of that film would be released the following year. As skeptical as I was going into Bachelorette, the new film written and directed by Leslye Headland is full of surprises.
The first one is that this film is so unlike Bridesmaids, that to properly compare them would seem a bit inappropriate. Yes, both films feature a bachelorette in a time of their friends wedding, both feature supporting roles played by sharp-tongued, unashamed big girl Rebel Wilson, and both display women behaving in an extremely raunchy comedic fashion. But this film is raunchy in a different form, more true to the style of the male-led Hangover films, and reunites friends, seemingly younger than the Bridesmaids gals, who haven't seen each other since high school. This fact injects a certain venom that audiences hate to love, but love nonetheless. This creates a unique blend of those classic bubble gum bitch comedies and the man-child ridiculous raunch that has become a mainstream staple.
The plot is pretty simple. Becky (Rebel Wilson) unexpectedly announces her engagement and her distant best friend Regan (Kirsten Dunst) and fake friends (but really tormentors) Gena (Lizzy Caplan) and Katie (Isla Fisher) come to be her bridesmaids. As bachelorette, Regan tries to keep control of the events, but as wild events ensue, that task becomes increasingly difficult. Despite the girls' position of bridesmaids seems a bit random and illogical, the film is smarmy and snappy, always on the corner of risqué and purely inappropriate. The writing is somehow as fresh as it can be, riding on the heels of its famous predecessor. The casting was purely brilliant, as all these gals, and the men they all pursue, turn in hilarious performances, particularly Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan as two drugged out bridesmaids on the edge. It may not be the most original, but the film tackles complex topics that other films similar didn't attempt and all under 90 minutes. For what it's worth, it is certainly not perfect, but it is a wild, silly, sexy, and certainly fun ride.
B
The first one is that this film is so unlike Bridesmaids, that to properly compare them would seem a bit inappropriate. Yes, both films feature a bachelorette in a time of their friends wedding, both feature supporting roles played by sharp-tongued, unashamed big girl Rebel Wilson, and both display women behaving in an extremely raunchy comedic fashion. But this film is raunchy in a different form, more true to the style of the male-led Hangover films, and reunites friends, seemingly younger than the Bridesmaids gals, who haven't seen each other since high school. This fact injects a certain venom that audiences hate to love, but love nonetheless. This creates a unique blend of those classic bubble gum bitch comedies and the man-child ridiculous raunch that has become a mainstream staple.
The plot is pretty simple. Becky (Rebel Wilson) unexpectedly announces her engagement and her distant best friend Regan (Kirsten Dunst) and fake friends (but really tormentors) Gena (Lizzy Caplan) and Katie (Isla Fisher) come to be her bridesmaids. As bachelorette, Regan tries to keep control of the events, but as wild events ensue, that task becomes increasingly difficult. Despite the girls' position of bridesmaids seems a bit random and illogical, the film is smarmy and snappy, always on the corner of risqué and purely inappropriate. The writing is somehow as fresh as it can be, riding on the heels of its famous predecessor. The casting was purely brilliant, as all these gals, and the men they all pursue, turn in hilarious performances, particularly Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan as two drugged out bridesmaids on the edge. It may not be the most original, but the film tackles complex topics that other films similar didn't attempt and all under 90 minutes. For what it's worth, it is certainly not perfect, but it is a wild, silly, sexy, and certainly fun ride.
B