Bride Wars

If your testosterone level is higher than your oestrogen one then it’s safe to say upfront that Bride Wars probably isn’t the movie for you.


Bride Wars is not a slushy romantic comedy, but its emphasis on girlie friendship and feuding means that it is very much a film for female audiences. This said, if you’re a guy who finds Anne Hathaway irresistible, then you may be willing to endure the 90-minute running time if only to see the actress perform a decidedly raunchy dance routine in hot pants and knee-high boots.

As it stands, Bride Wars is superficial fluff that makes little to no cerebral demands of its audience. And if you’ve seen the trailer you’ve seen most of the film’s funniest moments.

The movie’s plot is straightforward – for the past 20 years best friends Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) have shared a dream of one day getting married in New York’s opulent Plaza Hotel. When both friends are proposed to almost simultaneously, they turn to legendary wedding planner, Marion St. Claire (Candice Bergen) for assistance. Everything seems to be going along swimmingly until it’s revealed that the two weddings have accidentally been booked for the same time on the same day at the Plaza. With both women refusing to change their plans, Liv and Emma go from best friends to bitter enemies, and resort to all kinds of sabotage to ruin the other’s special day.


Bride Wars doesn’t have anything positive to say about brides-to-be, who typically come across in the movie as monstrously self absorbed and materialistic. This said, out of the two stars Anne Hathaway has the most appealing character – a mild mannered school teacher who seems to spend her whole life suppressing her personality as she strives to make other people happy. Kate Hudson’s Liv, by comparison, is a ruthlessly ambitious attorney whose desire to win, regardless of the cost, has seen her stifle her softer, emotional side. Obviously both women have a lot to learn over the course of the film.

Performances are cool and confident across the board in Bride Wars, but then again none of the roles are especially demanding. 3rd Rock from the Sun’s Kristen Johnston is probably the most memorable of the supporting cast, playing Emma’s lazy, boorish colleague. Candice Bergen is another recognisable face, but apart from narrating the film she has little else to do.

Bride Wars is a harmless way to pass a few hours, but it’s hardly must-see entertainment. There is one spark of authenticity – as the film briefly examines how people evolve over time and find themselves suddenly in conflict with their partner’s ideal – but otherwise events play out very predictably.

Ultimately you could do better than Bride Wars. It’s fine but there are other far wittier, charming, girl-centric comedies out there than this average time-filler.

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