Bridesmaids

Don't be fooled - Bridesmaids is not a chick flick. And it's not a female version of The Hangover. It's just a damn good, well-written movie that happens to be hilarious. Yes, it does set the bar for R-rated comedies this year. Yes, it's the funniest thing I've seen in theaters since, probably (and ironically), The Hangover. Yes, it's the best movie of 2011 (so far). Yes, my outpouring of overwhelming love for this movie may be because of two things: 1. It's refreshing as hell to have a movie that realistically portrays female friendships, and 2. I may have more things in common with Kristin Wiig's character than I care to admit right now.

So, anyway, Wiig (who also co-wrote the script) plays Annie. Annie once owned a bakery in Milwaukee but the store went under and now she works at a jewelry store although she hates it. She's single, although she's sleeping with a not-so-nice guy (played by Jon Hamm). She's also taken aback when her best friend since childhood Lillian (Maya Rudolph) suddenly gets engaged. Lillian seems to have it all - she's successful and in love. To Annie, it seems her life is a disaster compared to her best friends. Lillian asks Annie to be her maid of honor and, thus, she is thrown into a world with a lot of hilarious women. There is Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), Lillian's cousin who is married with three kids and disgusted by all of it. There is Becca (Ellie Kemper) who is a giggly, adorable newlywed who loves Pixar and has only slept with her husband. There's Megan (SCENE STEALER EXTRAORDINAIRE Melissa Mccarthy) who is... well, you have just got to experience her. And there's Helen (Rose Byrne). Annie may be Lillian's oldest and best friend, but Helen is Lillian's new best friend. She's gorgeous. She's rich. And she goes out of her way to make sure Lillian has the most extravagant of everything. Of course, Annie is a little bit jealous.

So, the movie follows these magnificent, well written, completely fleshed out characters over the course of a few weeks (or months). It follows these women through hilarious ups and downs: the well-intentioned but ultimately ill-fated pre-fitting meal at a Brazilian restaurant, the Parisian themed bridal shower, and the hilarious bacherlorette trip to Vegas (which, I'm saying this right now - you will not see anything funnier this year than the scene on the plane. No joke. It is the single funniest thing I have seen in a movie in I don't know how long). You recognize these women, maybe as yourself or maybe as your best friend or a co-worker or a family member. Maybe instead of referring to ourselves as "Carrie's" and "Charlotte's", we can now start referring to ourselves as "Megan's" and "Helen's." (I've got dibs on Annie!). You become friends with these women over the course of this movie, which is what draws you into it. But, also, of course, it's funny as hell.

From director Paul Feig ("Freaks and Geeks") and super-producer Judd Apatow, this movie is both heartfelt and hilarious. The performances are all top notch, with Wiig carrying this film with her humor and likability. Even when her life is falling apart and she's making bad decisions, you still cheer for her, because, well, she's you or someone you know. Rudolph is great as Lillian and Byrne is fantastic as the bitch with a heart of gold Helen. As is Chris O'Dawd in the lone male role (Annie's adorable cop paramour). However, it's Melissa McCarthy that steals the show. Everyone will be taking about her ballsy, take-no-prisoners amazing performance. You probably know her as Sookie on Gilmore Girls, but she'll make you forget all about that here. She's fantastic and hopefully she will get tons more movie roles to prove it in the future.

So, Bridesmaids is a hilarious and well-written movie. And while girls will appreciate the female friendship dynamic of the movie and relate to the relationships, this movie is so funny that it will certainly appeal to both sexes. Not only does it have the best movie poster of the year, so far, but it is also the best movie of the year, so far.

Grade: B+