Movie Review - 'Bride Wars'
Jessica Abey
Issue date: 1/30/09 Section: Entertainment
What is it about a wedding that drives women crazy? Is it the dress, the guest list, or something deeper? Hollywood looks to cash in on the wedding appeal with the feature film, Bride Wars, released January 9, 2009. This 20th Century Fox release stars Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway as best friends turned dueling brides, Liv and Emma. The movie follows the BFFs from little girls playing dress up in New Jersey to 26-year-olds planning weddings of their own in New York City. Liv, the high-strung and aggressive lawyer, works for constant perfection while only looking out for number one. In contrast, Emma is an elementary school teacher that is always taking care of others and cannot stand up for herself when taken advantage of.
These two are opposing female stereotypes united by the same dreams; June nuptials in the NYC Plaza Hotel. The plot thickens when the two see wedding planner and narrator, Marion St. Clair, to reserve their dates. A clerical mix up situates the two weddings on the same date. First, Liv and Emma try to swap one date with another bride, but find she will not budge. From then on, the two friends are out to put on the better wedding, even if it means sabotaging the other. All the stops are pulled out as Liv messes with Emma's tan, leaving her as orange as a pumpkin, and Emma retaliates by messing with Liv's hair dye, leaving her with a blue coif. As a result, both the brides are left in a bind with nuptials in less than a week. Disaster ensues when Liv allows a video of Emma's past to be shown during the walk down the aisle. This is the final straw for Emma and she attacks Liv on her way to the altar and a fist fight erupts. The whole ordeal, from engagement to the altar, has been a true test of the two relationships. Emma's fiancé leaves her because she has grown and become more self-concerned, while confidently Liv exchanges vows with her fiancé after learning to better care for others.
The whole movie had the feel of the numerous other wedding films that have come before. Recently wedding movies have been big business. From such classics as My Best Friend's Wedding to recent films including Made of Honor, Mamma Mia, The Wedding Date, and 27 Dresses, Hollywood has seen that weddings sell.
These two are opposing female stereotypes united by the same dreams; June nuptials in the NYC Plaza Hotel. The plot thickens when the two see wedding planner and narrator, Marion St. Clair, to reserve their dates. A clerical mix up situates the two weddings on the same date. First, Liv and Emma try to swap one date with another bride, but find she will not budge. From then on, the two friends are out to put on the better wedding, even if it means sabotaging the other. All the stops are pulled out as Liv messes with Emma's tan, leaving her as orange as a pumpkin, and Emma retaliates by messing with Liv's hair dye, leaving her with a blue coif. As a result, both the brides are left in a bind with nuptials in less than a week. Disaster ensues when Liv allows a video of Emma's past to be shown during the walk down the aisle. This is the final straw for Emma and she attacks Liv on her way to the altar and a fist fight erupts. The whole ordeal, from engagement to the altar, has been a true test of the two relationships. Emma's fiancé leaves her because she has grown and become more self-concerned, while confidently Liv exchanges vows with her fiancé after learning to better care for others.
The whole movie had the feel of the numerous other wedding films that have come before. Recently wedding movies have been big business. From such classics as My Best Friend's Wedding to recent films including Made of Honor, Mamma Mia, The Wedding Date, and 27 Dresses, Hollywood has seen that weddings sell.
Be the first to comment on this story