I saw Bridesmaids this weekend, and it was funny as balls. The 'review' segment of this post isn't going to get much more complex than that (I guess I should rename it 1/8th Movie Review, 7/8ths Essay??). It was an all around great film, I didn't want it to end, and it actually had a lot of heart. I'd recommend Bridesmaids to anyone because it's FUNNY. And GOOD. That's all. Which leads me to my 'essay' portion.
The conversations that have started because of this film's release are equal parts important and annoying. Yes, I can't think of a legitimately hilarious film that's starred a predominantly female cast before Bridesmaids (and don't say Sex in the City, because I'll deck you). That's a big deal. Literally every female-driven 'comedy' film before Bridesmaids hasn't really been funny, or at least in a way that appeals to both sexes. But then some hilarious women got together, wrote a hilarious film, and now we're having this discussion. As though women haven't been funny before now. And really, can you blame people for thinking that? For the past decade or so, womens' roles in comedies have been reduced to whining about relationships or...boobs. No, literally. Watch Hot Tub Time Machine. Actually, don't. Please don't.
Because Bridesmaids is the first of it's kind, there's this pressure on the viewer. For example: "Did you like it? If you said yes, was it because it's funny, or because you don't want to look like a sexist??" Now we have people thinking that the high rating on Rotten Tomatoes and the good reviews are because "people don't want to look sexist". This is something The Hangover Part II or the inevitable Hot Tub Time Machine 2 will never have to worry about, and I don't think that's fair. Trust me, if I didn't think Bridesmaids was funny, I wouldn't say it was for the sake of supporting female comedy. And no one would doubt The Hangover's high Rotten Tomatoes rating because of something like that. The Hangover has a high review because it's funny. But, on the other hand, Bridesmaids has a high review either because it's actually funny or because, you know...those women have to defend each other...
--EYE ROLL--
It's bullcrap, but I guess I understand it. What worse than that, though, is the blatant hate you can easily find on any Youtube clip of the movie. Before the film was even out- when all we had was the trailer- people (men) were polluting Youtube, giving it millions of thumbs down and saying awful things, a la "this movie is a rip off of the hangover by girls" (?? totally different plots??) or "ughhh i feel bad for whoever's girlfriend drags them to this". I'll admit, the trailer wasn't the best, but it didn't warrant that kind of backlash. But again, I understand it. A lot of men either a) feel intimidated by funny women or b) don't think they exist because they've grown up on Hot Tub Time Machine. Which...is sad.
I really don't want this to turn into a feminist rant, so I'll stop here. I'm just confused as to why we can't call a funny movie funny without being suspected of ulterior motives. For men who honestly believe the hype for Bridesmaids is a manufactured side effect of political correctness, I'd advise you to watch the movie. I was surrounded by guys at the theater who were cackling the whole time.
Anyway, I give Bridesmaids 5/5. Loved the whole thing.
