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I haven’t given much thought to Bride Wars except that it has gotten 2009 off to a depressing start. It made $20 million at the box office last weekend, was widely derided by most all critics. One thing that bothers me is why these types of wedding movies keep getting made. To me, it’s the misogynistic view of women that continues to fuel these types of movies. And the part that’s even harder to reconcile is that a movie that is clearly problematic on so many levels is able to attract high profile talent. Could is be that there are not that many scripts out there for actresses?
Rachel Abramowitz at the LA Times gets the rare honor of crafted a semi positive piece about the film which illustrates the problem for women in Hollywood.
While weddings are a familiar trope to Hollywood comedies, spawning such films as “Wedding Crashers,” “The Wedding Planner” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Bride Wars” is not so much about the romance between a man and a woman. It’s a female buddy picture, a counterpoint to the “bromance” films that have swept Hollywood recently, the endless stream of male bonding tales like “Superbad,” “Role Models,” “Stepbrothers” and “Pineapple Express.”
Such is the state of opportunities for young actresses in Hollywood that neither Hudson or Hathaway (whose collective resume includes such hits as “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and the “Princess Diaries” movies) has ever starred in a film opposite a female peer.
“One thing we were drawn to is it’s a story about friendship,” says Hathaway. “To actually have the story line between two women was just . . . so refreshing. Two movies I grew up loving were ‘Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion’ and ‘Muriel’s Wedding.’ I loved those movies, and it occurred to me — I haven’t been doing this very long and I don’t mean to be stepping up on a soapbox or anything — but I’ve read a lot of different scripts since I’ve become an actress and I’ve never come across a female buddy comedy before. Never.”
“It’s really rare,” agrees Hudson. “Female comedies, female-driven movies are hard to get made.”
Both Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway deserve to have better scripts and opportunities. It’s just criminal that this is the first time that either of them ever starred opposite another woman. I think the only way things will change is for women like Anne Hathaway to get on her soapbox. The thing is that after reading this piece I can now kind of understand why she wanted to make the film.
‘Bride Wars’ stars Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are funny allies (LA Times)
Update: Here are two more pieces I came across on Bride Wars.
Hollywood’s Love Affair with Marriage (The Telegraph)
Here Come the “Bride Wars” (Philadelphia Inquirer)
wow…you know, I was scratching my head like everyone else about this film, but this article makes perfect sense…unfortunately. :(
I don’t like Kate Hudson, never have, and never will.
Hathaway, on the other hand, has disappointed me for doing this movie. I also love “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion” as well as “Ghost World,” which (in my opinion) has to be the greatest, most touching female buddy film of all time (unless you want to argue that “Beaches” is better… lol)
I really look forward to the day Diablo Cody gets “Girly Style” off the ground. I read in BUST mag that she described it as an all girl version of Superbad… when is Fox Atomic going to get it made already!!!
I’m working on a female buddy comedy at the moment. I’m happy with it so far, but I keep wondering if there’s any point to writing it…
A very telling & very depresing post. Just seeing commercials for this film makes me groan. You make some very good points, Melissa.
Sadly – this all points to the level of progress that women have NOT made in film. Every feminist theoretical bone in my body cringes at the thought of the continual damage done by the dumming down of female roles because the reality is that society’s image of MEN can survive stereotypical nonsense – society’s image of WOMEN can not.
“Could is be that there are not that many scripts out there for actresses?”
NO
don’t buy that excuse.
Could it be that actresses aren’t taking enough initiative and using the power they have?
Could be they aren’t aware of their power?
Could they be too insulated?
Yeah
but, don’t think for a minute that there aren’t fantastic scripts being written everyday-
and turned down
everyday
please.
and thank you.
the only wedding film I enjoyed transcended the wedding story-
it was written and directed by a female and E.P.ed by a female
My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It was taking a huge risk and
it did well as I recall.
Catlin,
i can relate…but keep on writing and sharing it
please!
Caitlin keep writing.
I’m working on a wedding movie that my manager already said is going to be a tough sell (because the leads are black) but I like the story so I’m going to tell it.
T. I work in Hollywood and it is hard. We can’t pin this one on the actresses. I have tried when I was an exec to get female driven material off the ground even with named actresses attached and it’s very tough.
The studios believe and the numbers prove it, women/girls will see male buddy movies but men/boys will not go to see Bride Wars or DWP. End of story. Until Hollywood changes this crazy 4 quadrant mind set…we won’t be seeing many female buddy flicks.
I have heard a lot of buzz surrounding this movie and because I have a special place in my heart for silly romantic comedies, I am looking forward to seeing it. But I will save my criticism for after I see the movie–I love Anne Hathaway and I’ve read a lot about what she has said about her reasons for doing this movie. To tell you the truth, I probably would have never been interested in seeing this movie (unless it was on cable or something) until I read some of the interviews and criticism. I’m interested to see if it’s really as bad as it’s been made out to be.
I never realized that before but there is a lacking number of female-driven buddy comedies. I planned on seeing it opening weekend but the snow kept me in. I can’t wait to see it though and this realization only adds to the fire.
Okay–so after My Big Fat Greek Wedding, what did she do next?
After writing Thelma and Louise, what did Callie Khouri chose to direct? A piece of crap.
Women are just as capable of bad taste and lousy choices as men are.
I don’t want to see a female buddy comedy, thanks. It’s hard enough to ignore the male ones.
If women are really going to achieve anything, it’s not going to be by trying to imitate men and then standing around whining that things aren’t fair.
How long did it take Clint Eastwood to get any respect as a director? Show me a woman who’s willing to make that kind of commitment. Seems to me that lots of women want to make a big hit the first time out and then coast. And yes, Nora Ephron would be in that category if she made anything watchable.