Bridesmaids

No, this TV movie may not be particularly original, but remember, it came before many of the movies that it can be compared to. Maybe in 1989 when it was released, it was more original. Even if it wasn't...

It has humor, heart, fine performances by likable actresses. What's not to like? Personally, I love this movie. I just watched it tonight, and not for the first time. I'll record it onto video until someone releases it onto DVD. There may be corniness, but this is a harmless, endearing depiction of friendship that I completely enjoy watching.

I love Shelley Hack as the political, intelligent Kimberly and Sela Ward as the independent, sexy business woman Carol. Brooke Adams as Pat and Stephanie Faracy as Beth fill out the cast well as the unhappy housewife and the naive one with a big secret. No, maybe the problems these women have have been seen before...but almost twenty years after this movie has been made, women still have these problems, so...clichés are clichés for a reason.

However, this movie is carried by the chemistry these four women have and they have it in abundance.

I landed on this movie accidently, and since I'm very fond of Sela Ward, I've decided to give it a chance. What a mistake.

The idea is much like in any typical "girls" movie - "little women", "now and then", even "the first wives club". As always, the best friends meet after 20 years, after each went in her separate way - the dull house-wife, the successful and wit, the one whose husband is cheating on her and the one who desperately wants kids. And of course, secrets from the past will rise, shake their relation-ship, but it will all end well. (There's no spoiler here - if you expected anything else you must be very naive). So - Same old stuff, nothing is new, can't think of anything borrowed, but the sky is blue.

This was a classic chick flick! Four great TV actresses playing the bridesmaids and the entire movie focused on them rather than the bride. Which leads me to ask, "Who was the bride??!!" We never saw her face, only the back of her head at the airport, the wedding rehearsal and the wedding. There was no credit given anywhere (not even in IMDb.com!) as to who played her. I can only guess it was one of the producers, the writer, ??!! The movie is also great for seeing, as mentioned above, four great TV actresses (Shelley Hack, Stephanie Faracy, Brooke Adams and Sela Ward) having some great girl fun while waiting for the wedding. The sight of them coming down the aisle with the different bridesmaid dresses is worth waiting almost two hours. But still, who was the bride??!!

Old friends reunite in 1989 for a high school friend's wedding in their hometown. Secrets do come out, hijinks, clever comebacks and great Motown music for the backdrop.

The great outfits worn by Sela Ward are fantastic and very 80's.

It's worth a walk down memory lane.

Not to be confused with the blockbuster 2011 Kristen Wiig comedy, this television movie came out 22 years prior and has absolutely no connection other than the titular bridesmaids at the center of the story. Not to be crass, but this is basically nothing more than a feature-length version of a feminine hygiene product commercial. Female friends laughing, crying, fighting, making up and talking about sex, men and womanhood. It will most certainly appeal to the STEEL MAGNOLIAS crowd, which incidentally came out the same year. And although I can't recommend it, it's actually better than it deserves to be based solely on the likeability and chemistry of the four leads. They are able to convince us that they are life-long friends, and they are enormously appealing, even during the embarrassing moments. In the end, it basically amounts to nothing more than a series of upbeat period songs interrupted by moments of story. It even includes the requisite cringe-worthy scene where the gals join forces and sing MY GUY. If you're a fan of any of these actresses, it's worth a look. Just don't expect much.