Bridesmaids (2011) R

Well, this is my second attempt at this review. The first attempt was cut short when my computer suddenly shut down, which usually wouldn't be a problem but the auto-save feature was for some reason turned off. Just my luck.

I wasn't the only one anxiously waiting for Kristen Wiig's (Knocked Up, MacGruber) first starring role in a feature film. She's paid her dues on Saturday Night Live, as well as a number of fantastic supporting roles over the years. She's never been bad in anything she's done. This is a very rare film these days. It's not often you see a female-dominated film with this much raunch and hilarity. Which is a shame, because these ladies prove that women can be funny too (for those of you who have forgotten). Wiig not only stars in Bridesmaids, she co-wrote it with Annie Mumolo, who has a hilarious scene in the movie herself. Director Paul Feig, best known for his work on numerous fantastic television shows (The Office, Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks, Parks and Recreation, Nurse Jackie, Mad Men, Bored to Death, Undeclared, Weeds), makes good use of the talented cast at his disposal. You might recognize Feig from his role in the funniest Disney film to date, Heavyweights (starring a hilarious Ben Stiller).

Wiig plays Annie, a thirty-something former bakery owner whose had a tough run of luck as of late. She's in a dead-end relationship with the good-looking, yet insufferable Ted (Jon Hamm). She also can't seem to hold a job down ever since her bakery went out of business. She resides in the great city of Milwaukee, along with her child-hood best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph). Lillian breaks the news to Annie that she's engaged to a Chicago-based businessman. Annie is to be Lillian's maid-of-honor. She's elated, but she doesn't know what she's getting herself into.

Annie must now meet Lillian's four bridesmaids. There's Becca (Ellie Kemper), Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), Megan (Melissa McCarthy) and Helen (Rose Byrne). Becca is a newly-wed, who always seems to say the wrong thing. Rita is a single mother of three who practically despises her kids and their constant bickering and cursing. Megan is an overweight, yet confidant woman who says whatever is on her mind (no matter how grotesque it may be). Helen is a beautiful, rich housewife who has turned into Lillian's other best friend. Annie and Helen don't get along from the very get go as they fight for Lillian's attention and affection.

The six ladies go out one afternoon for lunch before they head to a bridal shop to pick out their dresses. Annie chooses a Mexican restaurant in the shady part of town. Everyone is skeptical about the odd choice in cuisine, but Lillian swears by Annie's taste in fine dining. The meal tastes well enough, but the group ends up getting food-poisoning. While trying on dresses the girls begin to feel the affects of the meal rather quickly. Let's just say their panties get filled with a special surprise.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. The girls board a plane for Las Vegas for the bachelorette party. Annie gets a seat in coach because of her tight budget, while the rest of the ladies get seated in first class. Flying isn't Annie's strong suit, so Helen offers her some pills to help her relax. Annie ends up taking the pills with hard alcohol, which isn't the best of ideas. Instead of relaxing, Annie ends up getting completely trashed. Annie claims she sees a creature on the wing of the plane, which stirs the passengers up quite a bit. She also tries to sneak into first class and clashes with one of the male flight attendants. When a U.S. Marshal is forced to arrest Annie, they must make an emergency landing. The gang must now take a bus back to Chicago. The girls aren't exactly happy about the botched bachelorette party.

Things just don't seem to be going Annie's way as of late. Her best friend is losing trust in her, she lost her job at a jewelry store and her budding relationship with a state patrol officer (Chris O'Dowd) comes to an abrupt end. To make matters worse, she ends up moving in with her mother (the late Jill Clayburgh). After an elaborate fight with Lillian and Helen at the bridal shower, Annie has hit rock bottom. Annie now spends most days sulking and watching sad movies with a box of Kleenex close by. Can she turn things around or has Helen won the war?

These women nail each and every scene. There really isn't a dull moment from start to finish. This film is simply a breath of fresh air. Wiig has never been better and Melissa McCarthy (Life as We Know It, The Back-Up Plan) is an up-and-coming star who knocks her role right out of the park. Jon Hamm (The Town, Sucker Punch) steals a couple scenes and Rose Byrne (X-Men: First Class, 28 Weeks Later) is sensational as usual. You'll probably recognize Kemper from her work on The Office and McLendon-Covey from Reno 911!, they're both quite charming. Judd Apatow (Funny People, The 40 Year Old Virgin) also happened to have a hand in this film, which is never a bad thing. The is the funniest film of the year thus far, and subsequently the best film of the year to this point. Don't waste anymore time, see this film!
A-