Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 2 ratings
Annie's life is a mess. But when she finds out her lifetime best friend is engaged, she simply must serve as Lillian's maid of honor. Though lovelorn and broke, Annie bluffs her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals. With one chance to get it perfect, she’ll show Lillian and her bridesmaids just how far you’ll go for someone you love.
Bridesmaids is carried largely by its ensemble cast, particularly Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy, whose performances elevate what is a fairly conventional rom-com/wedding comedy structure. The acting is genuinely exceptional for the genre, with McCarthy earning an Oscar nomination for good reason. The plot follows a predictable arc of friendship rivalry and personal redemption, though it's executed with enough heart and specificity to rise above average. Cinematography is functional and unremarkable — a standard studio comedy look with no visual ambition. Novelty is moderate: while it was celebrated as a landmark female-led R-rated comedy, the formula itself (mess of a protagonist finds herself through friendship crisis) is familiar, even if the execution had a distinctive voice and rawness. The ending wraps things up satisfyingly if somewhat tidily.