Bride Hard
⭐ (out of 5 stars)
Rebel Wilson broke onto the world cinematic stage with her quintessential role in the Pitch Perfect franchise. As the Australian actress went on to establish her distinctive style of slapstick and offbeat comedy, her life has been marked by a multitude of personal and public situations that have shaped her public persona. As she attempts to draw from Melissa McCarthy's playbook, Rebel looks to bring her skills to the action comedy that aims to replicate the humour of Bridesmaids and Spy.
Sam (Wilson) has been chosen as the Maid of Honour for her long-standing friend, Betsy (Anna Camp). The challenge of fulfilling this role is hampered by Sam's job as a secret agent, which aims to combat world terrorism. When the festivities end up on a remote family island in Savannah, Georgia, and the bridal party struggles through who is in charge when a band of mercenaries spoil the day. As the thieves work to gain access to Betsy's in-laws' wealth, Sam works to save her friends and guests while thwarting the villains' actions.
Once audiences get over the hope of the Pitch Perfect troupe coming back for the wedding, everything about this screenplay feels like a poorly rehashed version of another film. From the title to the marketing, nothing about this project feels original or groundbreaking within this genre. As the script unfolds, the only elements that garner a laugh or keep audiences from looking at their phones would be the presumed ad-libs of the cast. Yet, even as director Simon West works to tap into the skills of Anna Chlumsky, Stephen Dorff, Justin Hartley and Academy Award-winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph, each is relegated to two-dimensional roles with little to no originality. This film has all of the markers for a streaming release and struggles to make its impact on the big screen.
Bride Hard boils down to being ladies in red who yearn to find the pitch-perfect combination for Rebel Wilson fans to keep from dying hard, but fail to see any semblance of imagination within this genre.
Reel Dialogue and Third Space have entered the world of YouVersion: Download the app, dive into the plans, and engage with the Bible in a fresh and exciting way.
Reel Dialogue: Purpose of being a good bridesmaid and friend
Do your personal relationships help you to move towards your goals in life? Yet, how much of your time with friends is meant for your benefit, and when is it for the other person's advantage?
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother [or bridesmaid]. - Proverbs 18:24
At the heart of this action comedy is a poignant portrayal of the importance of friendship. On one side is the frustration that can arise from these relationships and the need to look beyond our own needs. On the other hand, we can appreciate the value of friendship amidst the busyness of life and how someone's support is just as significant as their words.
Humans are designed for community and friendship. Each of these needs work and commitment that forgives selfishness and pride, while seeking a richer connection with those we love.
