| “Bachelorette” is like a high school reunion, an excuse for thirty-somethings to throw logic, respect, decency and maturity out the window. Regan (Kirsten Dunst), Gena (Lizzy Caplan) and Katie (Isla Fisher) are gathering for the wedding of their high school friend (aka, the butt of their jokes). And they are determined to have one hell of a party. The problem is that is just like any other day in their life and the film doesn’t seem to suggest that that might not be a good thing. | | 2012
Directed by: Leslye Headland
Screenplay by: Leslye Headland
Based on the play by Leslye Headland
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan
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The bride, Becky (Rebel Wilson), doesn’t want to party and bows out early. That is the next problem. Rebel Wilson is barely in the movie and when she is, she’s not there to provide comic relief. These filmmakers must not have seen “Bridesmaids” the same way the rest of the audience did, and those expecting Wilson to deliver the physical comedy and great line delivery will be disappointed.
While the majority of the film’s comparisons are to “Bridesmaids,” this is much more like a female version of “The Hangover”. One night of partying fueled with drugs and alcohol leads to precarious situations. But this film isn’t as good as either. There are some funny lines but the lead characters are so despicable with no arc whatsoever. For those who enjoy laughing with people who are causing others’ misfortunes just for the fun of it, it’s probably pretty enjoyable. For the rest of us, there aren’t enough reasons to laugh with or at these people.
The supporting characters are all made up of the groom and his groomsmen played by such likable and funny guys as James Marsden and Adam Scott. The guys aren’t nearly as bad as the girls. Only one of them is an immature sleazebag who counts notches in his bed post as victories, and the others are not impressed with his behaviour. But all of the guys are treated as after thoughts to the not-thought-out-at-all lead girls.
The film did have a great pace. The three girls keep pushing forward with each joke. No worries if one fails because there will be another one in 40 seconds. It takes place in one night. As the night gets darker, the girls get drunker (and more coked out) and time to get things resolved becomes tighter. In that aspect it was well executed. It was the writing of the characters themselves that kept me from getting hooked on “Bachelorette”.
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