This weekend while my Netflix DVDs were on route back to the warehouse, I went looking for a new cinematic treat. Enter On Demand. While scrolling through the pages I knew I wasn’t in the mood for anything heavy or emotional draining, so I settled on a true chick flick – Bride Wars.
I avoided Bride Wars while it was in movie theaters because it got absolutely slammed by every critic review I read. Most importantly, it was ripped apart by Entertainment Weekly, my touchstone for what makes great film. Needless to say, my expectations were low.
The film chronicles the story of two best friends who wind up with weddings booked on exactly the same day, at exactly the same dream location (The Plaza, New York City – but of course). Rather than have one bride choose another date, they tear each other apart trying to get the other girl to cave.
The viewer doesn’t believe for one second that Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson’s characters could ever have been life long friends. They lack chemistry as a duo, but shine on their own.
Anne Hathaway has a scene stealing moment when she crashes a bachelorette party and takes over the stage at the male strip club showing off her unexpectedly suggestive dance moves. I have loved Anne Hathaway ever since The Princess Diaries, and in this role she shows she can turn up the campy-ness and as well as bare her claws. She also gets some love from the wardrobe department with surprising sophisticated and feminine clothes. I was lusting after her blue dress and beige cardigan with navy cuffs and gold buttons. Fashion perfection.
Kate Hudson dazzles as always, reminiscent of her career-focused character in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Her most adorable scene comes from a confrontation with her boyfriend about when he is going to propose, which prompts a great declaration of love from the BF, and her own adorable, speechless reaction.
If you love weddings you will soak up every minute that the ladies are strolling through the home goods department of Bloomingdales, trying on dresses in Vera Wang and tasting cakes with their wedding planner. The movie delights the wedding obsessed single girl.
As an extra, added bonus, the movie features the incredibly adorable Bryan Greenberg of the movie Prime and the TV shows One Tree Hill and October Road. Can you say, yum?
If you’re looking for an escape, Bride Wars offers 90 minutes of glamour and girl fights that is sure to leave you smiling. And remember, as the brides agree, “You don’t alter Vera to fit you, you alter yourself to fit Vera.”
