Dir. Gary Winick, 2008, US, 90 mins
Cast: Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Candice Bergen, Kristen Johnston
Review by Michelle Moore
Bride Wars is a new romantic comedy that will teach men all over the world a thing or two about women. It's main lesson though, which anyone and especially a man should already know, is NEVER mess with a Bride and her wedding. Whether you are the fiancé, the maid of honour, a friend or just a co-worker, whatever a Bride wants a Bride gets and no one, and I mean no one, should get in the way, not even her life long best friend.
At first, the tale of two young girls dreaming about their wedding and collecting small items towards the big day - something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue - sounds like every young girl's dream. There can barely be a woman can say she's never fantasised about her wedding day, from the dress to the cake, the music and of course the man in the suit standing next to her. However, the fairytale soon turns to nightmare when the best friends realise both their weddings are booked on the same day, at the same venue and it's every man - or rather woman - for herself!
The two main characters' personalities complement the methods they use to seek revenge and sabotage each others weddings. Emma (Hathaway) is a schoolteacher and an honest and helpful person. Her techniques therefore are more discreet, such as feeding the opposition chocolates she thinks are from her fiancé. Liv (Hudson) on the other hand is a hard nut lawyer and takes a more forceful approach, including sending in the wrong dance teacher and playing a very embarrassing video montage as the Bride walks down the aisle. Hathaway and Hudson do a great job in making these two characters come to life with passion and vengeance; angel vs. devil.
Remarkably - but somewhat predictably -
the two Brides ultimately come to realise that the friendship they have enjoyed for most of their lives is much more important than a wedding. Cue happy ending, though probably not the one you will be expecting...
Bride Wars, despite its well worn premise, is still very enjoyable, and well worth a viewing.
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