Michael and I went to see Bridesmaids last night, and I don't know what to make of it. I love Kristen Wiig in all of her SNL manifestations, and she proved to be a really good actress as well. While it was billed as a kind of female Hangover, the film didn't seem that to me. Several times during the movie I found myself inexplicably crying.
While there were several hilarious--and never-before-seen-at-least-among-females--moments, most notably the double-ended-food-poisoning-in-the-bridal-shop-moment, there was something so sad and touching about Wiig's character that it was difficult for me to just go with the laughter. What sounds clever and funny in the retelling--a mother who attends AA meetings even though she's not an alcoholic ("Only because I've never had a drink in my life!"), for instance, isn't all that funny in the close-ups. Which is not to say that it's unfunny or disappointing, just completely different from what I thought I was going to see and feel. There's a sweet sadness in seeing Jill Clayburgh--obviously not well--in her last role, and the good-hearted cop was a great character, but not necessarily a hoot. I think Wiig may be too good to write the kind of adolescent film she thought she was writing.
I also have a thing about making humor out of fat people. The sister-of-the-groom was wonderful, but I kept wondering why she had to be fat, whether that was a requirement of the role or just a coincidence in the casting. The odd roommates also were more confusing to me than comedic.Why would she ever room with that crazy guy from Little Britain?
We got out of the house, we saw something people are talking about and we went home to make strawberry freezer jam at 11 p.m. I guess there are worse ways to spend a Sunday evening--at least according to one of my sons.
I'm still waiting for those book titles, folks. Am I going to have to read Marcus Aurelius?
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