Bachelorette

Director: Leslye Headland

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Rebel Wilson, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan

Released on Demand TV/ Cinemas: 13^th August 2013

Released on DVD: 7^th October 2013

We’re certainly not in shortage of wedding rom coms, but with the recent Hangover series currently on a break, Bachelorette is this year’s offer showcasing hot chicks with issues, dirty jokes, fowl language and everything in-between.

When Becky (Pitch Perfect’s Rebel Wilson) announces to her bitchy friend Regan (Kirsten Dunst) that she is engaged, Regan’s reaction is less than enthusiastic. Spiteful that her ‘plus size’ friend is walking down the isle before her, she now finds herself faced with organising a, wait for it, bachelorette party. So she enlists the help of their high school girlfriends, fun loving Katie (Isla Fisher Wedding Crashers, Now you see Me), and cynical Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield), who as it turns out were quite mean to Becky during school and are less than adequate as bridesmaids, let alone loyal friends.

Bachelorette, directed by newbie Leslye Headland, was actually released in the States a year ago through online Video-On-Demand services while being theatrically released in September 2012. It’s a mystery as to why it has taken so long for the film to receive a release in other countries, though it may have been delayed because it was so similar to 2011 smash hit Bridesmaids, which also featured Rebel Wilson in scene stealing moments.  So now the rest of Europe is following trend, with the film being released next month on DVD, but it is already available on demand TV. It’s a clever idea in theory, though a lack of nationwide release at all cinemas with this film could potentially be damaging to it’s box office intake.

The film itself is nothing extraordinary, though it does have some very witty dialogue. The story is driven by the acentric characters rather than the storyline; Fisher’s Katie come across as sweet and friendly but is less interested in bridesmaid duties as she is in men and partying, Caplan’s Gena is moodily disinterested, bored and bitchy while Kirsten Dunst’s spoilt penthouse-princess Regan is just down-right nasty, spending much of her time smiling while frequently talking about everyone behind their back in jealousy of her own lacking love life. In short, the worst three bridesmaids you would ever want at your wedding.

The problem with the film is the weaker storyline, but despite is being almost impossible to sympathise or identify with any of the characters that are so easy to loath, the actresses have been smartly cast. The women they play are quite odious and vile, especially Kirsten Dunst clearly taking much delight in making Regan as feistily horrible as possible.

VERDICT: * * *

It wont break records and if you want a movie with more heart, look up Bridesmaids, but Bachelorette has its very funny moments and with some of the most deliciously loathsome leading ladies you’ll ever meet, it’s Mean Girls with sex and drugs.

Bachelorette is currently out on demand TV, and is released on Blu-Ray and DVD on 13^th October.