Bride Wars

There seems to be a trend forming of wedding comedies starting off the year. If that's the case, I have a request of Hollywood: Please stop now. If you can't come up with a funnier bridal comedy than Bride Wars, leave the subject alone. Please. I'm asking nicely.

The Story

Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson, two pretty adorable women, take on the lead roles in the chick flick Bride Wars. Hathaway and Hudson are Emma and Liv, best friends forever
who turn into catty, shrewish monsters when their weddings are accidentally booked on the same day at the same location - the much sought-after Plaza Hotel in New York. Emma and Liv grew up dreaming about their weddings, picturing themselves walking down the aisle at the Plaza Hotel in all their bridal glory. But that dream turns into a nightmare when they both wind up engaged at around the same time and decide to go together to visit a wedding planner (played by Candice Bergen).

The wedding planner's soon-to-be-unemployed assistant screws up booking their June dates, and voila! Liv and Emma won't be available to attend the other's wedding as each will be smack dab in the middle of her own ceremony. That is, they'll be unavailable unless one budges off the date and agrees to having the ceremony performed somewhere other than the Plaza.

Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway in 'Bride Wars.'

© 20th Century Fox

But let's back up this tale a bit to fill in some needed info… Liv is a high-powered attorney used to getting her way at all times. Emma is a push-over school teacher who never says no. So obviously it has to be Emma who dons her gown and hoofs it down an aisle not at the Plaza, right? No. Emma for once decides to grow a pair and stands up for herself, shocking Liv and leading to some horrible antics. The BFF go at each other in a myriad of silly ways, some of which lead to blue hair, orange tans, and a five pound weight gain. There's also a bizarre dance off at a strip club that barely deserves mentioning... Seriously, a strip-off to see who's the sexiest bride? Really? Hello - did anyone consider the target audience for this movie when planning out that scene?

The Cast

Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway aren't the problems here. That friendship vibe comes across just fine. And both Hudson and Hathaway can handle the physical comedy aspects of Bride Wars. Supporting player Bergen is regal as the premiere wedding planner of New York, and Kristen Johnston is terrific playing an obnoxious, demanding co-worker of Hathaway's. Johnston delivers some of the film's best lines and her character's one of the most entertaining of the bunch. The acting's not what brings Bride Wars down. It's the plot.

The Bottom Line

We barely get to know the two lovely ladies before they sink their claws into each other, but from what we are able to discern from the opening 15 minutes or so of the movie is that these two women definitely love each other. They've been there for one another their entire lives. That's a given from the information we're provided in the beginning of the film. So when they lose sight of their friendship and become obsessed with having their weddings at the Plaza Hotel, it's more sad than funny. There's something wrong with how quickly they turn on each other.

Plus, I have problems with movies in which characters are moseying along all nice and sweet and then suddenly out of nowhere become evil just because it helps progress the plot. That happens with the fiancé of Emma. He's loving and supportive and then suddenly it's as if he took an ugly pill. Where did that come from?

Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway in 'Bride Wars.'

© 20th Century Fox

Also, Emma's this sweetheart who'll do anything for anybody, yet she doesn't have a real friend outside of Liv. Emma and Liv share friends, but not a single one sides with Emma even though of the two women she makes a better friend. That doesn't make sense.

Bride Wars is loaded with improbable circumstances and silly little twists. And it doesn't speak well of how women treat each other, although of course there is the requisite 'big lesson learned' moment at the end of the film. There are a few laughs scattered throughout this romantic comedy, but Bride Wars is more mean than funny.

GRADE: C

Bride Wars was directed by Gary Winick and is rated PG for suggestive content, language and some rude behavior.

Source : http://movies.about.com