"Bridesmaids" Review

"Bridesmaids," which follows Kristen Wiig as down-on-her-luck Annie, as she prepares for the wedding of her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph), beautifully mixes physical comedy, witty dialogue and genuine poignancy without feeling forced or unfocused. It is the rare "human" comedy that elicits laughter, while also conveying some greater meaning about human relationships.

The film, written by Wiig and co-screenwriter Annie Mumollo, focuses primarily on the rivalry between Wiig's Annie and Rose Byrne's Helen, one of the other bridesmaids who Annie perceives as a threat to her friendship with Lillian. Adding to the film's humor are the other three bridesmaids: the sugary sweet Becca (Ellie Kemper), the disillusioned mother Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), and the butch, eccentric Megan (Melissa McCarthy). This ensemble of strong female comedians are at the top of their game with each one nailing their respective punchlines.

Wiig, in particular, makes quite an impression. She not only shows off both her expert comic timing, but also display sher dramatic acting chops. This versatility allows Wiig to shift effortlessly between comedy and drama, as she create a vivid characterization of a woman who has not only lost the will to fight for herself, but has also lost sight of her own value, both as a friend and as a woman. While Annie cannot provide for Lillian in the same way Helen does, that does not make her any less of a friend - a truth that Annie finally accepts by the film's third act. Annie also realizes her worth in regards to her relationships. Instead of letting the smarmy Ted (Jon Hamm) use her, she chooses a man (Chris O'Dowd) that respects and values her.

It is this attention to emotional detail that makes "Bridesmaids" such a breath of fresh air. Instead of simply stringing together a collection of crass jokes, Wiig and director Paul Feig effortlessly marry gut-busting laughter with emotional poignancy to create what is easily the best comedy of the year thus far.