BRIDES MAIDS AT 10
Ah, weddings – the romantic proposal, the countdown to the big day, the furious pooing into a sink during a food-poisoning-fuelled dress fitting… While those first two may be steeped in tradition, we have Bridesmaids to thank for the latter. Released in 2011, screenwriters Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo’s game-changing comedy not only emerged as one of the funniest films of the year, it also showed the world just how formidable women in comedy can be. With a packed cast of female stars lead by Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne, and under the direction of Freaks And Geeks creator Paul Feig, this story of two bridesmaids battling for BFF status with the bride-to-be quickly became one of the most quotable feelgood films of recent years. Ten years on, it’s still an experience Feig recalls fondly: “I feel like I was just on set,” he tells Total Film with a smile. “I remember every day like it was yesterday.”
The shoot may feel fresh, but when producer Judd Apatow introduced him to the then-untitled script that would change his career. Having relished writing ’ female geeks, Apatow thought Feig might like to check out an exciting new wedding comedy he had recently got hold of. It followed Annie (Wiig), a lost thirtysomething whose friendship with bestie Lillian (Rudolph) is put to the ultimate test when she’s asked to be her bridesmaid alongside pristine and perfect rival Helen (Byrne). It doesn’t take long for the pair’s grinning one-upmanship to escalate, forcing Annie to desperately try to reclaim her life and best pal before the wedding bells ring.
