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AFI Movie Club: BRIDESMAIDS
BRIDESMAIDS, written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, earned a 2011 AFI AWARD as one of the best films of the year. This laugh-out-loud film stars Wiig and Maya Rudolph as two life-long friends whose friendship is tested leading up to a wedding as well as a fiercely funny ensemble, including Melissa McCarthy in a breakthrough role that marked her as a true original.
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Movie Trivia About BRIDESMAIDS
DID YOU KNOW? Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo began writing the screenplay for BRIDESMAIDS in 2006. After Wiig played a small part in KNOCKED UP, director Judd Apatow asked Wiig to develop a star vehicle for herself. Wiig and Mumolo pitched Apatow the idea for BRIDESMAIDS, and all three sold the idea to Universal.
DID YOU KNOW? Much of the cast of BRIDESMAIDS was made up of alumni from the Groundlings improvisation and sketch community – including co-writer and star Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ben Falcone. Co-writer Annie Mumolo also wrote and performed with Wiig at the historic comedy theater.
DID YOU KNOW? Kristen Wiig’s roommates in BRIDESMAIDS – played by Rebel Wilson and Matt Lucas – became actual roommates after working together on the film.
DID YOU KNOW? Rebel Wilson originally auditioned for the part of Megan in BRIDESMAIDS, but the role went to Melissa McCarthy. Wilson’s audition went so well, though, that the filmmakers added a second roommate to the script to include her in the film.
DID YOU KNOW? If the bridal shower scene in BRIDESMAIDS looks familiar, it’s because the location has been a staple across television history – perhaps most notably as stately Wayne Manor from the 1960s BATMAN film and TV series.
DID YOU KNOW? The filmmakers originally intended for Chris O’Dowd play the role of Officer Rhodes with an American accent, but producers were so enamored with O’Dowd’s native Irish accent that it was decided he keep it for the part.
DID YOU KNOW? Jon Hamm’s role in BRIDESMAIDS is uncredited and went unpromoted at the time of the film’s release, as he did not want audiences to get the wrong idea of the movie. At the time, Hamm was primarily known for his dramatic work on MAD MEN, and he didn’t want to confuse moviegoers about the film’s tone.
DID YOU KNOW? BRIDESMAIDS was nominated for two Academy Awards® at the 2012 ceremony – Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Melissa McCarthy and Best Original Screenplay for the film’s writers, Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig.
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The movie doesn’t end at the credits: Family-friendly Discussion Questions
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-What makes BRIDESMAIDS different from other contemporary female-oriented comedies? What impact do these differences have on the nature of women in comedies, and of gender expression in film?
-Why was the scene at the bridal shop so notable in a primarily female comedy?
-Why was Annie jealous of Helen? Was Helen ever jealous of Annie? If so, why?
-What are the differences between Ted and Officer Rhodes? How do they each treat Annie differently? Do they ever treat her the same?
-Why does Annie push Officer Rhodes away at first?
-Why does Megan visit Annie at her home? Does this visit help Annie? What do we learn about Megan during the visit?
-How would you rate BRIDESMAIDS?
Watch this exclusive video from the AFI Archive featuring director Paul Feig:
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