Bride Hard Movie Review

A festive watch. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Hearing negative comments? Ignore them. If you like this cast, and you should, you’ll get something out of this movie… especially if you’re a fan of Rebel Wilson and her style of comedy. She has an arid wit, and it works.

The film does start off a little slowly, having you question whether it’ll get going or not, but that’s short-lived and only because you’ll be in your head about whether this cast is right for a spy film. Don’t do that to yourself. Just forget the rules and believe that you’ll have a good time and you will despite its familiar tones.

Sam’s (Wilson) friend Betsy (Anna Camp) is getting married in a huge full-white gown, with a big to-do on a southern plantation wedding and all. Betsy may never have wanted this wedding had she known the mess the production would have become. Sam wouldn’t have wanted to go, either. Though they’ve been best friends since childhood, Sam and Betsy have not seen one another in a long time. Still, Sam is chosen as bridesmaid and is deeply honored, immediately jumping in with both feet.

Oh, no. Hold on. Sam, a secret agent, has to make a few poorly timed exits during the bachelorette party she throws Betsy in Paris. She has work to do saving the world and that sort of thing. The bachelorette party is one thing. The wedding is another. Mercenaries, who want what’s in the vault in the home where the wedding will be held, show up and do a little kidnapping, hence the title that summons a little-known film called “Die Hard.” They’ll soon find out they messed with the wrong wedding!

Because Sam did double duty during the party, there were some hurt feelings, so Sam now has to earn the Bridesmaid title. Betsy’s rich and very jealous friend Virginia, played by Anna Chlumsky, isn’t going to make Sam’s proving herself worthy very easy. There are several rollicking scenes with the two getting in one another’s way.

Wilson’s delivery as a Bridesmaid or Secret Agent is right on point. Speaking of delivery, this was shot and set in Georgia, yet no accent is heard except from the Australian. What gives?? Pay attention when Sam is in the yard fighting. Out a window, you can see the trouble she alone has to deal with. The movie is packed with delightful mirth, but that’s not the case the entire time, and there are problems. You can easily pick out when Sam isn’t Wilson. The stunt double and the script can be lazy, especially at the beginning. Not every word from the uproarious Wilson, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Sherry Cola’s mouths will land. They only had so much to work with, but it didn’t disappoint overall.

Wilson is a laugh a minute; wait until you see what she can do with some hot curling irons. You’ll have a good chuckle with that one. Some of her fighting sequences are worth the watch alone. Sam feels up the groom’s best man, Chris, played by Justin Hartley, who’s relatively easy on the eyes. He doesn’t seem to mind her flirting, but he can forget that because, though they had some sparks, that ship sailed. Sorry, Chris!

The film is silly, but that’s the point, and you’ll feel oddly satisfied about that when it’s all over. This isn’t necessarily a theater watch, but it wouldn’t hurt. It’s amusing, and if you need some laughs, the sooner, the better. The entertainment is here if you don’t go in expecting a zany girly movie. That’s not what this is. Significant action is here despite the comedienne being the star. There are shenanigans abound. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it. I think that’s how you’ll feel, too.

So, relax and relish seeing Wilson on screen again. She looks great, and her mockery is “pitch perfect.” Wilson’s Sam is very sure of herself, as is Wilson. She easily takes on the role of friend and the law. Wilson is ready for anything.

*Stay a bit longer to see the middle credits behind-the-scenes action.