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DVD review: ‘bridesmaids’
Female Answer to ‘The Hangover’ arrives
A
nnie Walker (Kristen Wiig) has been
in a tailspin since her bakery failed
during the recession. And she’s cur-
rently in danger of losing the job she got at
a jewelry store only because a member of
her mother’s (Jill Clayburgh) support group
took pity on her.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated R for pervasive profanity
and graphic sexuality.
Running time: 125 minutes
Distributor: Universal Studios
Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Gag reel, deleted
scenes, extended and alternate
scenes,
“Line-O-Rama”
and
“Cholodecki’s Commercial.”
Annie’s problems at work stem from her
bad habit of openly expressing her skepti-
cism about marriage to customers shopping
for engagement rings. She has good reason
to be cynical, between hearing her biologi-
c
o
m
cal clock ticking and her poor track record
in relationships, including the shallow guy
(John Hamm) she’s currently involved with
who treats her like a doormat.
Annie is also close to being kicked out of
her apartment by her roommates (Rebel
Wilson and Matt Lucas) for falling behind
in rent. This means she might have to move
back in with her mom. Given all of the
above, is it any wonder why Annie has such
mixed emotions upon being asked to be her
best friend Lillian’s (Maya Rudolph) Maid
of Honor?
For on the one hand, she’s happy that the
ecstatic bride-to-be has finally landed the
man of her dreams (Tim Heidecker). On the
other hand, however, the impending fairy-
tale wedding promises to serve as a constant
reminder to the thirty-something spinster of
just what an unmitigated mess her life has
become.
These diverging fortunes set the stage for
a boatload of laughs in Bridesmaids, a
screwball comedy co-written Kristen Wiig
who enjoys her best big screen outing to
date courtesy of a character displaying
oodles of that trademark sarcasm we’ve
seen her display on Saturday Night Live for
m
u
n
I
t
y
years. The plot thickens when the other
bridesmaids are introduced, and Annie sud-
denly finds herself constantly in competi-
tion with Helen (Rose Byrne), the filthy-
rich wife of the groom’s boss (Andy
Buckley).
Even though Helen hasn’t known Lillian
very long, she shamelessly lobbies to
replace hapless Annie as the Maid of Honor
because she has the bucks, taste and class to
help plan a more lavish bridal shower, bach-
elorette party and wedding reception. The
only other bridesmaid of consequence is
Doug’s larger than life (literally and figura-
c
a
l
e
n
tively) sister, Megan, played to perfection
by scene stealer Melissa McCarthy in a
peerless performance.
Motor-mouthed Megan intermittently
provides comic relief as a constant reminder
that the escalating tension between Annie
and Helen shouldn’t be taken seriously,
especially once the former finds herself
being wooed by an Irish cop with a heart of
gold (Chris O’Dowd). An estrogen-fueled
adventure featuring madcap hilarity ranging
from the scatological to the sublime!
d
a
r
S eattle S eptember 2011
Friday September 23
If you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
Friday – Sunday September 9 – 25
Do ThE puYAllup FAir: Fair opens September 9 at
10 a.m. and runs thru September 25. hours are
as follows Sat – Sun 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sun – Thurs
10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Admission is adults $11, seniors
(62+) $8.00, students (6 – 18) $8 and children
under 5 are free.
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner
September 21, 2011
FAll FAMilY Fun nighT: Join us for our annual Fall
Family Fun night, we’ll pack toys, a bouncy
house, carnival games and much more all in the
gym. Suggested donation of $3 per family.
garfield Community Center, 2323 E. Cherry St.
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday September 24 – 25
EXplorE, EXpEriEnCE AnD EnJoY ThE iTAliAn
FESTiVAl: The italian Festival offers entertainment,
exploration and insights into the rich and vibrant
culture of italy. Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Center house, Fisher pavilion
and Seattle Center pavilion.
ThE SEATTlE publiC librArY FAll book SAlE: More
than 250,000 books, CDs, DVDs, Audio books,
Sheet Music, Art pieces and posters are among
the items up for sale to the public at bargain
prices. Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.
– 4 p.m. warren g. Magnuson park, 7400 Sand
point nE, building 30
Saturday October 1
norThwEST glASS puMpkin pATCh: over 4000
hand blown glass pumpkins crafted by local
glass artisans. Come pick the perfect pumpkin
for yourself or as a gift. Free admission. 9 a.m. –
4 p.m. Seattle Center pavilion (room b behind the
Skate park) 200 Thomas St.