A less successful Bridesmaids is the way Bachelorette is probably perceived, yet the truth is, it’s the film we really wanted Bridesmaids to be. Although Bridesmaids was a commercial success and made a point that women can be equally, if not funnier than men, it lost it’s comedic appeal around the halfway mark when Annie suddenly became depressed because things weren’t going her way. In hindsight, Bridesmaids should have kept it’s original title ‘Maid of Honor’ as the film is primarily about Annie, not the other bridesmaids.
With Bachelorette, we focus on the three leading bridesmaids: super-bitch Regan (Kirsten Dunst), bad-ass Gena (Lizzy Caplan) and free-spirited Katie (Isla Fisher), who have all come together to plan the surprise wedding of their former bully victim friend Becky (Rebel Wilson). Although the concept may seem similar to Bridesmaids, it’s far from it, mostly taking place over the 24 hour pre-wedding party night. Removing all comparisons to Bridesmaids, Bachelorette deserves its own recognition as a quality comedy film that provides the laughs, thrills and excitement that keeps us entertained throughout.
Kirsten Dunst is really proving herself as the ultimate film bitch (including her appearance in Melancholia). Even though Regan’s planning a wedding, she is in complete disgust that it’s her fat, ‘pig face’ friend who’s getting married before she’s even engaged. Dunst is equally supported through the film by Caplan and Fisher who provide terrific comedy value and gags that not only make you chuckle, but laugh. Most comedies struggle with this nowadays: a comedy film isn’t meant to make you snigger or grin, they’re to make you laugh and with Bachelorette, the laughs don’t stop coming.
Praise also belongs with writer and director Leslye Headland (who also wrote Bachelorette for the stage prior to its release as a film) who writes a great comedy film that incorporates strong female characters, with witty dialogue in a realistic environment. Bachelorette doesn’t need the overactive bowel scenes to generate a few more laughs as Headland’s skill of writing exceptionally smart and funny dialogue is able to shine throughout the films progression. The feeling that Headland has also studied women’s behaviour around weddings is also evident in the film: the interpretation of the three bridesmaids are realistic.
Bachelorette is an inventive comedy and one that shouldn’t be missed. Led by three alpha-females, the laughs don’t stop due to the chemistry between the three and their creative dialogue. With a running time of under ninety-minutes, Bachelorette is a film you want to see more than once mainly for the non-stop excitement and fun.
