Friday, January 16, 2009

Bride Wars


I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not the world's biggest romantic comedy fan. It either has to be extremely romantic or extremely comical for me to really like it. Most try too hard to be both and fail miserably. Others are the fun kind of fluff that put a smile on your face. The kind that have everyone walking out saying "It was cute."

Bride Wars was that kind of movie. It was sweet and amusing and dare I say...heart-warming? I even laughed out loud a few times.

Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson play Emma and Liv, respectively, best friends since childhood. After attending a wedding at The Plaza in June together when they were young, they became obsessed with all things wedding, specifically, getting married at The Plaza in June.

Fast forward fifteenish years later and both are engaged. They promptly book their weddings at The Plaza in June, only to find out later that a mix-up put their weddings on the same day. Once they realize neither is willing to budge on the date or location, they start to sabotage each other in an effort to destroy the other's perfect day. Cue blue hair dye, bronze tanning spray, and pregnancy rumors.

The "big laughs" were not so much. I am never entertained by the parts that are supposed to make me laugh. Apparently one bride tackling another, white tulle flying everywhere, is supposed to have me rolling in the aisles. But the crazy antics they pulled on one another were just a little too unrealistic for me to find humorous. It was the subtle, quick one-liners that had me laughing. In fact, the most laughs came from Kristen Johnston (who, if I'm not mistaken, has lost a TON of weight) as Emma's Maid of Honor.

The light humor was not enough to carry this movie, though. What made me walk away saying, "That was good" was the relationship between the two lead characters. Now, I have to say here that it was definitely a "movie" relationship. How many ten year olds do you know who were exclusive best friends and remain so to this day, as adults? I don't know any. Maybe you do. That would be cool. But I doubt it. I always have a hard time with this. Give me something I can relate to. But, for what it was, it pulled at my heartstrings, and that's saying a lot. A lot. I just about lost it (and we all know that means my eyes were burning and I had a lump in my throat and that's where it came to a screeching halt) during one profound scene that I want to describe but don't want to give away. All I'll say is it involved a mirror and two brides and several sniffles behind me.

Anne Hathaway, who annoyed me to death in her early roles, has become an actress I really like. She was enjoyable to watch as Emma, and actually put some feeling into the role. Kate, on the other hand...something about her just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it's the way she talks. It always sounds like her throat is coated in something thick. Also, is it just me, or was she wearing a wig?

All in all, the few funny parts that made it about half of a funny movie and the few moving parts that made it about half of a tear-jerker, put together, made a up a whole movie that was pretty good. Oh, and it was only PG, which meant it was virtually sex and language-free.

11 comments:

Ben and Alissa said...

I'm glad I got to go see this with everyone! I don't go to many movies right away, so this was the first time I got to see a movie and then read your review of it, so that's fun! I agree on pretty much everything you said. Kate did bother me too, how she talked, and I thought there was something up with her hair. I didn't go in with high hopes for it, but it was better than I was expecting, so I ended up thinking it was a cute, girly movie.

[M] said...

Thanks for the review, I was wondering if this one was worth seeing in the theater. I think you should employ your own rating system...you know, so we can see how you compare movies within a genre. Like Bride wars gets 3.5 stars (out of 5). or something like that. no pressure though.

Brenda said...

I am glad to hear it was at least ok, I see movies like this come out and thing that they have potential to be really cute and funny, but pretty much plan on it either being crass, or slap stick funny.

Marilyn said...

Great review. I liked the movie pretty well, actually my favorite thing about the movie was the soundtrack. There were a couple of really great songs in this movie.

Kate Hudson annoys me though. I'm not sure why, but she always has. Anne Hathaway was much less annoying and I like her character a lot more.

I laughed a lot at certain parts and teared up slightly at the end. It was a good movie going experience and nobody kicked my seat so that was a bonus.

Alicia said...

M-A, I totally forgot that you had mentioned this before, didn't you? That is such a good idea, I thought so the first time you suggested it and was all set to do it, then...forgot. I am so going to start doing it. In fact, I'll start now.

dandee said...

I really liked this movie. The story was good, I liked all of the actors, and I have been OBSESSING over the necklace Anne's character wears through the movie. [the gold one with stamped initials. so sweet.] Great review, Alicia!

michellemybelle said...

I liked this movie. This is the kind of movie I buy and watch when I want to do nothing. I love Anne Hathaway. She is elegant and not overdone. Kate Hudson has never really bothered me before, but she sure did in this movie. She drove me nuts. Maybe it was her bangs...not a wig.

Jodi said...

I have to say I liked this movie - I laughed and cried (sorry, I tried keeping my sniffles down - but those mother/daughter marriage moments get to me). And I loved seeing it with a bunch of friends since it was a movie about best friends.

Busy Bee Lauren said...

I have pondering if I should see this in the theater or just wait to rent it. What do you think? I mean, I have a gift card...enough to see a movie. Should I see this, or Twilight? Or is that even a reasonable question?

Great review!

PS...I have a best friend who has been my best friend since birth. Crazy!

Amy J. said...

Someone out there in computer land is going to have to help alicia figure out why her Wingding fonts don't work so she can have a cool rating system.

I will have to rent this movie and watch it when my hubby is out of town.

Nancie said...

I'm playing catch up here...

Thanks for the reviews. I love your opinion on most movies. I also appreciate the shout out in Benjamin Button (i cant even type it). Really, its literal. That sucks. Im gonna have to clear play it to weed out the button scenes!