Genre: Comedy
Director: Gary Winick
Cast: Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Candice Bergen, Kristen Johnston, Bryan Greenberg, Steve Howey, Chris Pratt, Michael Arden, John Pankow, Paul Scheer
RunTime: 1 hr 29 mins
Released By: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG
Official Website: http://www.bridewars.com/

Opening Day: 29 January 2009

Synopsis:

Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway), best friends since childhood, are always there for each other, through good times and bad. Even their respective bridal engagements happen within hours. Together they plan their weddings, each to take place at New York’s ultimate bridal destination, the Plaza Hotel. But a clerical error and subsequent clash in wedding dates pits the two brides against each other in a competition that quickly escalates into all-out war.

Movie Review:

With weddings generally being considered as one of the most, if not the most important event of a person's life, it is little wonder that many films revolve around them. Anne Hathaway happens to be involved in two such films almost back-to-back, with mystery film "Passengers" sandwiched between them, making January 2009 to be unofficially known as Anne Hathaway Month as far as local cinemas are concerned. While "Rachel Getting Married" takes on a sombre mood in highlighting a dysfunctional family, "Bride Wars" attempts to lighten things up with Hathaway embroiled in a bride-fight with Kate Hudson.

Before the commencement of the bridal battles, we are told through famed wedding planner Marion St. Claire's (Candice Bergen) narration that Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) started out as childhood friends who are virtually inseparable. Both have the same dream of having their wedding ceremonies held at the Plaza Hotel. Initially, they manage to schedule their weddings a few weeks apart from each other but one scheduling mistake later, they have to settle for the same day or one of them has to give in for another date. Misunderstandings ensue up to the point where hell hath no fury like two women scorned and it's a bride-fight to the finish.

Judging from the absurdity of the plot, it is highly advisable that viewers suspend their disbelief in order to get the most enjoyment out of "Bride Wars". In the real world, there would surely be a more peaceful and viable solution to this wedding schedule fiasco, yet the film is clearly based in a world where common sense does not apply. If you can get pass this obvious plot-hole, you should have no problems sitting through the rest of the film.

Much of the film's fun is derived from the constant retaliations between the two brides. Kate Hudson does a remarkable job in gaining the viewer's hatred as the domineering Liv. Likewise, Anne Hathaway has learned well from her previous comedic ventures to portray the tame Emma. It can be delightful to watch these two slug it out with each other both verbally and physically with not just their wedding dates on the line, but their hair and skin colour as well.

Still, there are limits to Liv and Emma's tug-of-wars for them to carry the film entirely on their own, so it is essential that the film requires some form of supporting element. Unfortunately, we do not get to see much of that here. Their respective grooms are mostly forgettable, not only because they are played by relatively unknown actors, but also because of their lack of personalities. Despite being famous for being one of television's most classic funny characters in Murphy Brown, Candice Bergen does not have much to display here. The only noticeable spark comes from former "3rd Rock from the Sun" actress Kristen Johnston, who as Emma's colleague, provides most of the chuckles from the supporting cast.

With pretty much nothing else to offer, "Bride Wars" banks purely on the charms of its two female stars and its exaggerated scenarios to draw in the audience. Pity though that it brings to mind the situation depicted in "Aliens vs Predator", which is best described by its tagline 'whoever wins we lose'. So, unless you are a fan of either Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway or this sort of simplistic comedy, it is preferable that you give "Bride Wars" a miss or you stand to lose your time and money for a more worthwhile movie.

Movie Rating:



(A pure showcase for a Hudson-Hathaway fight and nothing more)

Review by Tan Heng Hau