Paul Feig directs Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy in this maid of honour’s already pretty shitty life spirals even further out of control under the pressure and chaos of her besty’s imminent wedding. 

Quite frankly the best in every category  (funniest / well made / intelligent)  recent US comedy. Wiig plays an endearing disaster of a human being and her chemistry with her co-performers ensures even the exposition and realisation scenes have steady chuckles and at least one big laugh. The key set pieces of the hen party plane freak out, the tennis doubles game where one player is oblivious to the all out war she finds herself in and Wiig’s montage of low level lawbreaking to catch O’Dowd charming but spurned State Patrol Officer’s attention have yet to lose their hilarious power after now multiple viewings. Everything is energised by Feig’s colourful direction, a kick ass soundtrack and a very relaxed, almost luxurious running time for a comedy. At two hours plus Bridesmaids never feels bloated, even the quieter character moments, such as the wordless desperation baking sequence, feel indispensable. The box office juggernaut of Melissa McCarty was launched off her small yet scene stealing role here. In this limited but stand out turn she absolutely dazzles even if some extra scenes of her have clearly been shunted in a month after test screening feedback. Hopefully actual star Wiig will recover the same momentum for her own comedy career off the back of the promising Ghostbusters reboot and Masterminds when they are released later this summer. Hope so – as she’s a rare and absolute talent.

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