Movie Review: Idiocracy (2006)

Rating: B-/ Joe (Luke Wilson) is nothing special; he’s startlingly average, a slacker, and doesn’t seem particularly bright or capable of thinking things through any more than is absolutely necessary. His name is no accident, he’s an ‘average Joe,’ and no one thinks much of him or considers him to be anything particularly special. So when Joe is chosen for a military experiment and cryogenically frozen, supposedly to be woken up a year later, it is precisely his averageness and his lack of meaningful relationships with anyone who might start wondering where he had gone to that makes him perfect for the job.

Bridesmaids (2011)

Admittedly, I’m not really a fan of modern raunchy blockbuster comedies. It’s not a matter of faith or good taste or even sensitivity- so-called laugh-fests starring Seth Rogan or Will Ferrell and particularly directed or produced by a certain Judd Apatow don’t hit my funny bone; frankly, they drive me to ennui and frustration. That’s why it’s such a surprise that “Bridesmaids,” crude and risque and produced by Apatow himself (no Ferrell or Rogan in sight, though) made me laugh. a lot.

This is the film that arguably made star Kristen Wiig’s career. and it’s easy to see why. Although protagonist and anti-heroine Annie doesn’t possess a whole lot of redeeming qualities and behaves like an over-sized, menstrual teenager for most of the movie, Wiig makes her compelling, or at the very least, funny rather than completely infuriating. Which is more than Seth Rogan could do for any of his characters.

However, Annie is not a reprehensible lead, just self-pitying and childish, and she actually does show development by the end of the movie, instead of just waking up and finding her problems solved magically. When depressed, single-ish Annie is chosen to be a bridesmaid for her bestie Lillian (Maya Rudolph)’s wedding, she’s overjoyed, but trouble rears it’s ugly head in the form of Lillian’s overzealous and oh-so-perfect other best friend Helen (Rose Byrne.)

Helen, with her perfect complexion and incredibly fake facade of self-assurance and flawlessness, treads all over Annie’s already flimsy sense of self-esteem and initiates a an ugly competition between the two women. Helen seems to be specifically trying to undermine Annie, and although a flirty, funny cop (Chris O’Dowd) and a free-spirited fellow bridesmaid (Melissa McCarthy) both try to help and support Annie, Annie can’t seem to help and support herself as she makes a manic attempt to win back her best friend.

“Bridesmaids”‘ humor is uncouth, brazen, and incredibly embarrassing, much like it’s main characters. There’s a stoned heroine acting out on a plane, projectile defecation in a bridal shop, and cat-fighting galore, but there seems to be a heart behind the antics. Also, other than Annie’s idiotic and uncaring sex partner (I won’t justify him by calling him a ‘boyfriend’ here) Ted (John Hamm) and also Annie’s weird n’ creepy roommates (British comics Matt Lucas and Rebel Wilson,) there’s really no antagonists, and certainly no downright villainous ones.

Even Helen is inwardly so self-conscious and needy that one has to just feel sorry for her at the end. The use of ignorance and embarrassment rather than nastiness and cruelty (like the similarly themed comedy “Bachelorette”- same world, different planet) as humor makes it awkward and funny rather than mean and ugly (and therefore, unfunny.) All the actors play their parts well, all the characters have value in the script. No one seems overused or underused or unnecessary.

Most of these kinds of comedies are male-centered, so it’s nice to see a movie that focuses on women’s’ sexual desires and frustrations and female friendship. You probably know already if you’re the audience for this movie based on whether you enjoy sex and potty humor. The middle-aged Mormon is probably not going to like this movie. People who like humor that is crude and at times painfully embarrassing probably will. But like me, you might find yourself surprised, especially after being disappointed by this kind of stuff before, to find just how many belly laughs “Bridesmaids” offers.