Let’s get the great news out of the way first: Kristen Wiig is going to headline a new wedding comedy helmed by the creative team behind Freaks & Geeks.
So many good things are happening in that sentence including Kristen Wiig (comedy gold!) and Freaks & Geeks (underappreciated comedy gold!). The film will reunite Freaks creator Paul Feig with writer/director Judd Apatow for the first time to produce the picture. This is all wonderful news.
The not so good part about that sentence: wedding comedy. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film follows two woman battling to plan their friend’s wedding party. To which I ask: Why? Why does it have to be a wedding comedy? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Hollywood tends to make a lot of female-fronted wedding comedies? Like a lot, like My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Wedding Planner, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Wedding Date, Bride Wars, Runaway Bride, 27 Dresses, The Proposal a lot.
Are there no other funny scenarios involving women besides weddings? How about female-fronted comedy about nuclear science? Motorcycle repair? Heck, I’d even take dentistry. Something, anything other than the same tired idea that all women want is weddings and all weddings do is make women crazy.
Now, having said all of that, I do think Kristen is very funny and I am encouraged that she also penned the screenplay with writing partner Annie Mumolo. Feig, who made the awkwardness of high school hilarious, will also direct. But, damn, I wish the subject matter wasn’t so terribly familiar. Oh, and don’t think I’ve forgotten about you pregnancy and shopping — you’re also on my list.
