‘Bride Hard’ Review: Rebel Wilson and Anna Camp Endure a Shamefully Bad Marriage with Simon West - IndieWire

Summary of "Bride Hard" Movie Review

Overview

"Bride Hard" is a 2023 romantic comedy film directed by Simon West. The movie follows the story of an American spy, played by Rebel Wilson, as she navigates her way through a complicated love life and high-stakes missions.

Plot Summary

The movie begins with our protagonist, Sophie (played by Rebel Wilson), who is on top of the world. She's a successful American spy who has just completed a difficult mission. However, despite her professional success, Sophie's personal life is a mess. Her boyfriend has dumped her, and she's struggling to find love again.

As fate would have it, Sophie receives an invitation to her high school friend's wedding in Scotland. The catch? She's been replaced as the best man by her ex-boyfriend, who's now engaged to be married. Feeling embarrassed and betrayed, Sophie decides to attend the wedding under a pseudonym, hoping to avoid any awkward encounters with her former flame.

However, things take a turn when Sophie meets the groom's eccentric best friend, Sean (played by Bobby Moynihan). Despite their initial differences, the two quickly bond over their shared love of adventure and mischief. As they spend more time together, Sophie finds herself drawn to Sean in ways she never expected.

As Sophie navigates her way through the complexities of Scottish wedding etiquette, she must also contend with a cast of wacky characters, including her ex-boyfriend, his new fiancée, and a group of bumbling spies. Along the way, Sophie discovers that there's more to life than just being a spy – and that sometimes, it's okay to be vulnerable and take risks.

Review

"Bride Hard" is a generic, uninspired comedy film that relies on tired tropes and predictable plot twists. Despite Rebel Wilson's best efforts, the movie feels like a soulless, formulaic romp through the world of espionage and wedding shenanigans.

The script is riddled with clichés and overused one-liners, which quickly become grating after the first few minutes. The supporting cast fares no better, with Bobby Moynihan's performance as Sean feeling like a wasted opportunity.

Rebel Wilson, who has proven her comedic chops in previous films like "Pitch Perfect," feels miscast in this movie. Her usual energy and charisma are missing here, replaced by a dull, bland performance that fails to bring any real depth or emotion to the role.

The film's themes of work-life balance and self-discovery feel shallow and unexplored, with the movie relying on convenient plot contrivances to drive the narrative forward. The action sequences are similarly uninspired, feeling like they were ripped straight from a Bond film (minus the style and sophistication).

Criticisms

  • Lack of originality: "Bride Hard" relies too heavily on familiar tropes and clichés, making it feel like a rehashing of better comedies.
  • Underdeveloped characters: The supporting cast feels one-dimensional and lacking in depth, with Rebel Wilson's character being the most underutilized of all.
  • Shallow themes: The movie's exploration of work-life balance and self-discovery feels shallow and unconvincing, with the plot twists failing to deliver any real emotional resonance.

Recommendations

If you're looking for a fun, lighthearted comedy film with a strong female lead, you might want to skip "Bride Hard" in favor of something like "The Devil Wears Prada" or "Miss Congeniality." However, if you're a die-hard Rebel Wilson fan or enjoy mindless, formulaic comedies, you might find this movie to be mildly entertaining.

Conclusion

"Bride Hard" is a disappointing, uninspired comedy film that fails to deliver on its promise of a fun, lighthearted romp through the world of espionage and wedding shenanigans. With a generic plot, underdeveloped characters, and shallow themes, this movie feels like a waste of time for anyone looking for a genuinely funny or engaging cinematic experience.

Rating: 2/5 stars

Recommendation: For fans of lighthearted comedies with strong female leads, try "The Devil Wears Prada" or "Miss Congeniality."