don't ever let anyone step all over you

Bridesmaids (15)

8.5 / 10

Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph,. Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd

After she is picked to be her best friend's maid of honour, Annie (Wiig) finds herself out of a job, homeless and with her life's prospects seemingly slipping away. And, when a new friend muscles into the bride's life, Annie has to join forces with an oddball assortment of bridesmaids to make the big day a special one....

The trailer for Bridesmaids does the film no favours. Whilst there are some great clips on the trailer, it gives a really misldeading idea of what you can expect from the film. I was anticipating a female equivalent of the Hangover featuring lots of lewd and silly behaviour, whereas what I actually got was one of the most intelligent, emotional and funniest American comedies of recent years.

Almost everything about Bridesmaids is perfect. It is beautifully written and you never, ever get the impression that things have been deliberately exaggerated for comedy effect. It's real, believable, warm and almost devoid of character stereotypes (Matt Lucas a notable exception).

It's also beautifully played. Kirsten Wiig is a brilliant leading lady, proving that you don't have to be a Botoxed, well manicured doll to be a stunningly beautiful movie star. Wiig is ably supported by a terrific cast including Maya Rudolph, Ellie Kemper and Chris O'Dowd who plays the everyman love interest brilliantly. Rose Byrne is terrific as the wealthy Helen whilst Melissa McCarthy gets plenty of laughs as the maneating Megan (although her character's payoff at the end was also fantastic).

I absolutely loved Bridesmaids. Warm, touching, well written and laugh out loud funny, it's the film that all American comedies should aspire to be. And, you get a load of Wilson Phillips.

*faints*