Bride Wars (2009)

Director:

Gary Winick

Writers (WGA):

Greg DePaul (screenplay) and
Casey Wilson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

9 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Even best friends can't share the same wedding day.

Plot:

Two best friends become rivals when they schedule their respective weddings on the same day.

Plot Keywords:

Wedding | Best Friend | Wedding Party | School Teacher | Sabotage

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Nov. 15	6:45 PM	HBO
Tue. Nov. 17	11:30 AM	HBO

Cast

Kate Hudson	...	Liv
Anne Hathaway	...	Emma
Bryan Greenberg	...	Nate
Chris Pratt	...	Fletcher
Steve Howey	...	Daniel
Candice Bergen	...	Marion St. Claire
Kristen Johnston	...	Deb
Michael Arden	...	Kevin
Victor Slezak	...	Colson
Kelly Coffield Park	...	Kathy
John Pankow	...	John
Zoe O'Grady	...	Young Liv
Shannon Ferber	...	Young Emma
June Diane Raphael	...	Amanda
Charles Bernard	...	Wedding DJ

MPAA:

Rated PG for suggestive content, language and some rude behavior.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #44718) | Ireland:PG | UK:PG (cut) | Australia:PG | Singapore:NC-16 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Finland:S | Singapore:PG (edited version) | South Korea:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Taiwan:GP | Spain:T | New Zealand:PG | South Africa:PG | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Norway:A | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:Atp | Mexico:A | Sweden:7 | Australia:M (Cable TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

During the reception, there is a shot involving a complicated series of dance steps in front of the camera. After many failed attempts, a dance instructor who happened to be an extra asked to teach the actors how to perform the maneuver correctly.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the bridal shower scene, the amount of orange juice changes between shots

Quotes:

Marion St. Claire: A wedding marks the first day of the rest of your life. You have been dead until now. Were you aware of that? You're dead right now.
Emma: I understand.
Marion St. Claire: Angela, for example, will die dead.

Movie Connections:

References "Saturday Night Live" (1975)

Soundtrack:

You've Made Me So Very Happy

At a time when women run for Presidency and lead social revolutions, Bride Wars acts like a chauvinistic 19th century relic

What makes me sad about Bride Wars is the fact that it's going to make a lot of money on its opening weekend, and probably double or triple that amount throughout its run. Why anyone would want to submit himself to an over-clichéd chick flick that looks and acts like something we've all seen a million times before - only worse - is beyond me. Still, awareness seems to be sky high, with many unwilling boyfriends/husbands destined to be dragged to their local theaters by their mates.

At a time where quality films like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire are actually making a dent at the box-office, Bride Wars existence baffles me. The story follows two BFF (best friends forever) who decided to have a wedding in June at some fancy plaza when they were little girls. Years later, an unfortunate series of events ends in both the women - still BFF well into their twenties (like duh) - setting their wedding day on the exact same date. From here on out, it's war between the two stereotypical women (one control-freaked blonde, otherwise known as Kate Hudson; and one spineless brunette, known better as Anne Hathaway). Naturally, both ladies live in a perfect world where there's no economic depression and they can each spend an enormous amount of money on this unnecessary war of theirs.

Alas, instead of being a decent display of romantic comedy, Bride Wars becomes a shallow and degrading show that implies that with all the progress the feminist movement has made during the past century, women will always be emotional and helpless beings, forever interested in superficial matters. In a time when women aim to run for Presidency and lead social revolutions, this is a real depressing conclusion. Add this to the aforementioned fact that Bride Wars utilizes every cliché in the book, and you're better off watching one of the numerous Oscar hopefuls heading your way.

I gave it 4 out of 10.