The Candor

Issue date: 1/19/09 Section: Scene

Movie Trailer: Bride Wars

Rating: C+

Well, this is definitely one for those who are into "chick flicks". This movie will have you laughing, and admittedly, even tearing up at parts. "Bride Wars" is about Emma, played by Anne Hathaway, and Liv, played by Kate Hudson, two best friends who dream of the same wedding.

Of course something has to go wrong in this cozy wedding world, and it does, as their weddings are booked on the same day. As neither friend is willing to change their wedding date, they begin to do vicious things in order to sabotage the other girl or her wedding.

Amongst this back and forth, there is a voice over narrator, Marion St. Claire, played by Candice Bergen. Marion St. Claire also happens to be the girl's highly sought after wedding planner. This concept of the voice over narration is used in an interesting way, as she not only roughly outlines the story, but also sort of analyzes relationships. For instance, when the women are planning their weddings, the voice over speaks about how trying the month before a wedding can be for a couple: that it can make or break a relationship. During this commentary, there is a video collage of pictures of both couples; Liv and her fiancé Daniel, played by Steve Howey, are shown shopping for wedding bands and smiling and hugging and the like. On the other hand, Emma and her fiancé Fletcher, played by Chris Pratt, are shown doing the same wedding prep activities, but Fletcher is looking away, bored, or Emma looks stressed. These photo montages paired with the voice over observations gives "Bride Wars" that extra boost above your usual mindless "chick flick".

Another strong aspect to the film are the settings and the wedding dresses. "Bride Wars" is shot in New York City, so many of the street shots are ones that we have seen many times in other movies. However, The Plaza, where the characters want their weddings to be, is gorgeous, and the cinematographers soaked it up. There are shots that incorporate the beautiful designs on the ceiling, as well as some of the mirrored ceilings. Also, the settings of the two women's apartments are drastically different, showing their dissimilar personalities and financial status.

Don't get me wrong, though. "Bride Wars" is definitely every bit a girly movie. It is cute, focuses on weddings and shows all of the emotions that women go through during a wedding planning process. Although it has it's perks and I enjoyed watching it, there are better movies out there.

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