Unmasking the Flaws of “Bride Hard”: A Disappointing Blend of Comedy and Action
As a critic committed to transparency about personal biases, I must admit a longstanding aversion to Rebel Wilson, the Australian comedian whose comedic style often revolves around exaggerated vulgarity and exaggerated gestures, such as sticking out her tongue like a caricature of a villain. Despite her 15-year career span since her breakout role in 2010’s “Bridesmaids,” I’ve yet to find her humor appealing. Her recent attempts to diversify her roles-such as portraying Lady Capulet in the poorly received “Juliet & Romeo” and now as an action heroine in the painfully unfunny “Bride Hard”-do little to change my impression. I recommend viewers prepare themselves with a strong dose of patience and perhaps a decongestant, given my allergy to her brand of comedy.
Genre Mashup or Mess? An Overview of “Bride Hard”
The film’s title hints at a bizarre attempt to fuse the lighthearted world of wedding comedies with the adrenaline-fueled realm of action thrillers. Think of it as a misguided culinary experiment-like combining gourmet cheese with canned tuna-where the ingredients simply don’t complement each other. Rebel Wilson stars as Sam, a former childhood best friend of Betsy (Anna Camp), who has since relocated to Australia, possibly explaining her inconsistent accent. Now, Betsy is preparing for her wedding, but Sam’s secret life as a covert operative complicates her plans to serve as maid of honor. Her clandestine missions clash with her desire to be part of the wedding festivities, setting the stage for a chaotic clash of genres.
From Paris to a Plantation: The Plot’s Disjointed Journey
The film opens with a brief scene set in Paris-an intertitle clarifies the location, perhaps to clarify the supposed European elegance-before shifting to a secluded island off the coast of Georgia. This location resembles a stereotypical Southern wedding venue, complete with sprawling plantations and romanticized vistas. Here, Sam finds herself sidelined by the bride’s sister-in-law, played by Anna Chlumsky, an overzealous wedding planner with obsessive-compulsive tendencies. The celebration is abruptly interrupted when a gang of heavily armed villains, led by a grizzled supervillain portrayed by Stephen Dorff, storm the scene. Their motives are so nonsensical that explaining them would only deepen the confusion. Naturally, Sam must step in to save the day, but the plot’s coherence remains elusive.
Critical Flaws and Lackluster Performances
While there’s an undeniable charm in silly comedies, “Bride Hard” falls flat on every front. The humor is crass and uninspired, exemplified by jokes like “Oh, Sam, you’re alone.” “No, I have my emotional support boobs,” which feels more juvenile than funny. The storyline stretches plausibility-sometimes even defying basic physics-and the acting performances are uniformly amateurish, reminiscent of a middle school play rather than a professional production. The film’s only mildly amusing moment involves a fight scene where curling irons are wielded as makeshift nunchucks-an absurd visual that barely warrants a chuckle. Overall, the film’s execution is marred by shoddy filmmaking and a lack of genuine wit.
Behind the Camera: Creative Minds and Performances
Written by Shaina Steinberg, with story contributions from Cece Pleasants, and directed by Simon West-whose 1997 hit “Con Air” remains his most notable work-“Bride Hard” suffers from a lack of direction and originality. Some cast members attempt to elevate the material; Stephen Dorff delivers a convincing villainous performance, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, fresh off her Oscar-winning role in “The Holdovers,” commits fully to her character-a lively, flirtatious Black woman. Unfortunately, her energetic performance is marred by the film’s overall tone, which seems to have been infected by the same juvenile humor that plagues the rest of the cast, leading to a collective sense of discomfort and awkwardness.
Final Verdict: A Comedy Best Left Unwatched
At one point, a character advises Sam, “Walk away, just walk away,” a sentiment that resonates perfectly with viewers. “Bride Hard” is a film that offers little in the way of entertainment value and even less in coherence. With a runtime of 105 minutes, it’s a tedious experience filled with sexual innuendos, slapstick violence, and a plot that struggles to hold together. For those seeking genuine comedy or engaging action, this film is best avoided.
Currently playing in select theaters, “Bride Hard” is a cautionary example of how not to blend genres. For more insightful reviews and recommendations, visit Ty Burr’s Watch List at tyburrswatchlist.com.
