‘Bride Wars’: A Cute Girl Comedy About Best Friends
A biopic can be an inspirational night of entertainment. But sometimes (ok, so most of the time) I just want to see something that is funny without requesting I must think. Like many other films, when I read about Bride Wars, I knew I’d have to see it. Plus it stars two of my favorites.
Bride Wars (2009) Film Review
Once upon a time two little girls dream of their weddings since they experienced a June wedding at the Plaza Hotel. It’s in that moment that both girls decide what they want for their own someday happy-ever-after.
Now, some 15 years later, Liv (Kate Hudson), is a lawyer with a domineering personality that gets her anything she wants. Then there is Emma (Anne Hathaway), a teacher who is about as meek as Liv is bossy. Kind to a fault, Emma cannot say “no” to anyone. Both in successful relationships, the girls both receive proposals within days of each other. For ten years Emma has been a best friend, now Fletcher (Chris Pratt) finally decides to make official his relationship with Emma. Liv then prods a proposal out of her charming boyfriend, Daniel (Steve Howey).
Both girls now have rings, and are ready to plan their dream June wedding at the plaza….
Reviews often mock this and compare (as an insult) this to films like 27 Dresses. Both are favorites. Despite the genre and story, Bride Wars has a twist or two. The only thing I expect for certain is one of the weddings not going off. Whether or not it does, I won’t say (spoilers and all, you understand). I can see why this won’t appeal to everyone, so let me save you time, and just say, if you don’t like sappy comedies, then skip this. This is exactly what this fully “embraces.” Director Gary Winick also directs the “kid” comedy 13 Going on 30 and there are similarities. Both have a sort of child-like innocence that serves them well.
FILM REVIEW | While You Were Sleeping: A RomCom Icon that Will Make You Smile
Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson co-star in the 2009 comedy, Bride Wars: A Cute Girl Comedy About Best Friends #Moviearchives #Movies Share on XAlong with a healthy dose of comedy, this film also showcases some more tender heartfelt scenes. And there are, of course, some goofy moments, but nothing so extreme as to make the pranks “over the top.” In the end, the tricks the girls play on each other are more comical than mean-spirited in the sense that they can be “undone.” Still neither girl does anything to physically hurt the other, just mean-spirited acts.
Both Hudson and Hathaway play their roles with all the girl-power finesse needed for their respective roles and Candice Bergen as the perfectionist wedding planner is superb. All of the leading men are well cast and deserve credit for a great performance in an all-white-frilly-knock-out-bridal-war. Hudson also plays producer for the first time on this film.
Bride Wars finds a spot on my shelf alongside my other “girly-girl” flick, and if you like Winick’s (Letters to Juliet) other work, you may find this worthwhile. The ending is adorable making this a fun afternoon’s entertainment. Characters grow up, making you feel good about the lessons they embrace.
CONTENT: this is PG because of a bachelorette party with male strippers; Liv and Emma dance suggestively on stage, the girls drink throughout. Some language is present [“mother f” is uttered, “a**”]. There are some crude comments like “suck it.” Both couples live together. Conversation revolves around what happened on spring break years ago, which later comes into play with a video. A false pregnancy rumor is spread.
I love chick flicks and romantic comedies. And I love this movie. Anne Hathaway is adorable as usual. And what girl doesn't dream at some point in their life to get married at some place like the Plaza.
Anne Hathaway can make the best expressions with her face… :) It looks like one I might want to watch when I'm a bit older. And I find that tricks and pranks just make me laugh :P Sierra
Keep Growing Beautiful♥ (Cause You Are!)
The first time I saw this movie, I really hated it. I thought it was more mean-spirited than anything. But I've rewatched it since then and now I find it rather cute, even if it does cast women in a bad light. I don't think that however mad I got at my best friend, I would ever pull some of those stunts. But then again, maybe that's just because of my faith, not because I'm particularly "nice." ;)
Sunny and Star – this movie is adorable! I always enjoy it with every viewing. Chick flicks are my "favorite" genre also; I cannot seem to tire of them. =D
Glad you stopped in – do so any time.
Sierra – Bride Wars is really cute. I enjoy its silliness while also seeing the deeper meaning of friendship.
I hope you do see this sometime – it's cute. =)
Charity – that sounds familiar; I think you may have talked about not liking this one back when it was new. I can remember loving it from the first viewing. It was cute and it helped that I liked both the lead actress'.
I don't see it as a film that casts women "badly" so much as an over-the-top war between friends: Sadly we can be a bit… unforgiving when it comes to what we see as "betrayal." I haven't been a part of a triangle like that, but I do believe it. Fortunately, as you say, I cannot imagine doing that to my best friend/"sis'" – no matter our differences, she'll always be my best friend. =)
I really want to see this movie– I love Anne Hathaway and it looks so entertaining. =) Sometimes you do just need some laughs with no substance! haha
I always get a chuckle out of this one, AnnaKate. It may not be brilliant but it is sweet.
Unfortunately (or not!), I see a lot of cute movies without substance BUT I always look at it as this: I don't need to be reminded that the world/life is a mess – I want to "escape" into a fun fantasy for a couple of hours. Bride Wars does that. =)
And, I love Anne – I think she is just adorable. ;D