‘Bachelorette’ Review

Release Date:  September 7, 2012 (Limited)
Currently Showing Via OnDemand Platforms
Director:  Leslye Headland
MPAA Rating:  R
Film Pulse Score:  6/10

I know everyone says this is a rip-off of 2011’s hit comedy Bridesmaids; however, the script was purportedly written a year or more before that film was written.  I don’t know if that’s true, but comparisons between the two films are inevitable and I must say I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this movie, though not as well as I enjoyed the Oscar-nominated Bridesmaids.  Still, there were laugh-out-loud moments that had me doing just that, primarily from the three leads – Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, and Lizzy Caplan.  There are riotous moments provided by these three actresses that nearly rivaled what we saw the Bridesmaids women do in that film.

Rebel Wilson (Becky) is getting married and she asks Regan (Dunst) to be her maid of honor, as well as having Gena (Caplan) and Katie (Fisher) in the wedding as bridesmaids.  The four have been friends since high school, and the three bridesmaids decide to throw a bachelorette party that doesn’t quite go as planned – i.e., mishaps ensue including the ripping of the bridal gown, too much drug use by Gena and Katie, and some raunchy behavior and language from all three.

The film also introduces the Dale the groom (Hayes MacArthur), Gena’s high school boyfriend Clyde (Adam Scott), and their friends Joe (Kyle Bornheimer) and Trevor (James Marsden).  Their behavior is not all it’s cracked up to be either, particularly when they visit a strip club and are later joined by the three bridesmaids.  Trevor likes Regan (or at least wants to have sex with her, which he winds up doing in a bathroom – very classy).  Joe falls for Katie and she surprisingly responds with similar warmth, though it could be the cocaine talking.  And Clyde discovers that he still loves Gena though her feelings are mixed toward him until the very end of the film.

The primary motivation for the film outside of the gathering together of high school friends for the wedding is the tearing of the bridal gown and the lengths to which the three women go to get it repaired.  This includes Gena getting Clyde’s mom to stitch the dress and the women getting the hotel’s housekeeping to dry clean the dress after they also get it dirty.  The women ultimately succeed in fixing the dress, or at least fixing enough so that Becky can wear it down the aisle.

Is it as good as Bridesmaids?  No.  But is it worth a look as a female-oriented comedy with some truly hilarious moments from the three leading women?  Yes, it is, and I’m tough on comedies.  But this one has a certain raucous charm and some terrific performances from all involved, particularly the comedic performances of Fisher and Caplan.  It’s a recommendable film and if you liked Bridesmaids, it is likely that you’ll enjoy this film as well though for somewhat different reasons.  It isn’t a rip-off even though it’s being released a year after Bridesmaids; it is its own original composition with some notable, original touches of its own.