What Do The Critics Say?

"When it comes to trashy, featherweight chick-flick entertainment, nothing beats the sight of two women going at it, claws and all. With its heart in the right place and tongue firmly in cheek, Bride Wars delivers such a spectacle in spades, as a pair of best friends embark on the prolonged catfight that drives this funny, self-consciously frothy piece of good-natured escapism." Jim Schembri THE AGE "A lively tone and sharp performances help bring this rather thin comedy to life. But it's the heavy dose of sentimentality that arrives later on that'll win over fans of the girly comedy genre." Rich Cline SHADOWS ON THE WALL "Watchable comedy, enlivened by strong performances from Hudson and Hathaway and a decent script that isn't afraid to make the central friendship the most important relationship in the movie." Matthew Turner VIEWLONDON "The title is enough to get men running screaming from the multiplex, and the premise will probably have them locking themselves in a cupboard until the danger has passed. The characters are mostly stereotypes, with Kate Hudson playing Liv, the Rich Aggressive Lawyer, Anne Hathaway playing Emma, the Poor Doormat Schoolteacher." Jonathan Empson READERS DIGEST REVIEWS

"Hathaway is terrific as the vulnerable, slightly submissive schoolteacher. Hudson makes good use of the spoiled, kittenish calculation that always lurked behind her daisy-fresh charm. All in all, it's a good girlfriend movie and a decent date-night picture." Stephen Whitty NEWARK STATE-LEDGER "Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway make this girls-only comedy about two girls, two weddings and a friendship in crisis, into a moderately enjoyable, if forgettable affair." Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE "A light-hearted comedy romp that is not meant to be taken seriously." Jackie K Cooper JACKIEKCOOPER.COM "Hudson doesn't shy away too far from the romantic comedy genre and gives her typically dependable performance, but Hathaway is the real treat here. Hathaway has proven to be one of the most versatile actresses in Hollywood as well as one of the most in-demand following her Oscar-buzz worthy performance in "Rachel Getting Married." Her role here is a stark departure from the serious drama as she gets to cut loose and have fun. Hudson and Hathaway make for a great comedic pair and will keep you laughing all the way down the aisle." Jeffrey Lyles GAZETTE

The Inside Story Every wedding has a story but this one isn’t about a bride and a groom; it’s about a bride: and a bride. The ladies in question are lifelong best friends Liv and Emma, who couldn’t be closer: or more dissimilar. Liv, a high-powered attorney, is a natural leader who knows what she wants and exactly how to get it done. Emma, a dedicated schoolteacher is empathetic and generous to a fault: the 'type-Z' to Liv’s 'type-A', the 'yin' to her 'yang'. But that’s all about to change when a horrific mistake leads to dueling weddings, an escalating conflict rife with ingenious pranks to undermine the other’s Big Day, and a friendship that is about to implode. Kate Hudson sparked to the idea of warring brides, as presented to her several years ago in the original story and draft screenplay. Believing that the notion provided an opportunity to take a unique and irreverent look at women, Hudson decided not only to take on one of the leading roles in what came to be called "Bride Wars", but to make it her producing debut. "I really wanted to do a movie that was about women pushing the comedic envelope," says 2001 Golden Globe winning actress Hudson ("Almost Famous"). "And what better setting to see this happen, than a wedding. I love this kind of comedy and enjoyed seeing how far we could take the humor. It’s a fun story that also has a lot of heart." But for a while, says Julie Yorn ("The Exorcism of Emily Rose" & "Animal Factory"), who joins Hudson as as a producer, the filmmakers were undecided about which role Hudson should take. "Eventually, we realized that there is so much in the part of Liv that is true to Kate’s personality, we began to craft the role specifically for her." Enter Anne Hathaway, who came aboard the project long before cameras began rolling, to portray Emma. The two characters couldn’t be closer, as friends: but further apart in temperament. "I think Emma has gone through life a little too passively," says 2002 & '08 NBR Award winner Hathaway, who has been acclaimed for her performance as the troubled sister of the bride in the film, "Rachel Getting Married." "Emma is a really nice, loyal friend, and somebody very comfortable standing in the background. But when her wedding day is threatened, she is willing to fight for it. For the first time in her life, she wants to be 'number-one'. Emma discovers her backbone and her darker side. In the end, she learns that she can honor both aspects of her personality." "We knew we found the perfect Emma in Anne," says Yorn. "Anne has a quality of innocence that complements Kate’s personality. We were lucky to find two actors who have such lovely, likable qualities but who convince us that their on-screen characters can do such awful things to each other." The filmmakers brought on screenwriters Casey Wilson and June Diane Raphael, themselves best friends, to further explore Liv and Emma’s longtime bond through the prism of pre-wedding craziness. "The bride wars are a backdrop against which their friendship plays out," says Wilson. Raphael notes the film "is about friendship and the crazy ways in which your best friend: the person who knows you so well; can also bring out the very worst in you. And that can be very scary. Friendships are sometimes difficult to navigate, especially when we know exactly where the other person’s flaws and insecurities live." It was the complex friendship between the two characters that attracted the attention of Franklin J Schaffner Award winning director Gary Winick, who stated: "friendship is the most important thing in my life. So that’s why I wanted to make "Bride Wars"; it’s about best friends: two incomplete people who together are complete. But they have to be apart to learn how to grow as individuals and as friends." Hudson and Hathaway, who didn’t know each other prior to teaming up on the film, became fast friends and, fans of each other. "We’re both opinionated women," says Hathaway (who played Lureen Newsome in "Brokeback Mountain"). "So it was really fun picking each other’s brains about the characters. Kate’s persona is exactly the way I had envisioned it: fun, effervescent, warm-spirited and smart." "Anne and I took our time getting to know each other, and I think we’ve created a pretty true friendship [on-screen]. Anne is authentic, not to mention wildly talented. It’s really been a joy to work with her," says 2000 Golden Apple Female Discovery of the Year Award winner Hudson. Providing something very different than joy in the lives and upcoming nuptials of Liv and Emma, is Marion St Claire, the officious wedding planner who becomes the catalyst in the war between the brides, when her assistant mixes up their wedding dates. Marion’s world is three-tiered wedding cakes, piles of bridal magazines, eighty seven day countdown wedding checklists, fabric swatches, designer gowns: and, of course, New York’s ultimate wedding destination, The Plaza hotel. Five time Emmy ® ("Murphy Brown") and two time Golden Globe ® ("Murphy Brown") winning actress Candice Bergen, describes Marion as "extremely precise, almost cranky." 1997 Emmy ® award winner Kristen Johnston ("3rd Rock from the Sun"), was cast as Emma's co-worker and Maid of Honour, Deb Delgado, whom Johnston describes as "an outrageous character. She’s a complete egomaniac, with no limits, and I’ve never had more fun with a character." Caught in the middle of the battling brides are the film's three principal male characters: the two grooms and the brother of one of the brides. Bryan Greenberg (TV'S "One Tree Hill") takes on the role of Liv’s brother Nate. "Nate is stuck in the middle, which is not where he, or anyone in these circumstances, would want to be." Steve Howey (who played Van Montgomery in ninety nine episodes of TV'S "Reba") was cast as Liv’s fiancé, Daniel. "As far as getting in the middle of the war between Liv and Emma, Daniel’s attitude is to support Liv, and just stand back and let the pieces fall where they may." Chris Pratt ("Wanted") plays Emma’s fiancé, Fletcher. "When Emma begins to get the wedding 'crazies', everything changes and he isn’t quite sure who she is anymore." The "Bride Wards" production team includes: 2002 Costume Designers Guild Award winner Karen Patch ("The Royal Tenenbaum's"); 1991 & '93 Independent Spirit Award winning Cinematographer Frederick Elmes; 2001 & 2004 BMI Film Music Award winning composer Edward Shearmur ("Miss Congeniality", "Charlies Angel's" & "Charlies Angel's Full Throttle") and set decorator Ron von Blomberg ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" & "Be Kind Rewind"). The film was cast by Marcia DeBonis ("Changing Lanes") & Jennifer Euston ("The Aviator"). Synopsis

Liv and Emma are best friends who, since childhood, have played out mock weddings, planned every detail of their future respective weddings and can't wait for the most important day in their lives to arrive. At the top of their bridal 'must have' list is a ceremony at New York's ultimate bridal destination: the Plaza Hotel. Through thick and thin, they have remained loyal to each other, always there for each other no matter what. School teacher Emma and Lawyer Liv, truly are 'best friends'. Now, at age twenty six, both are engaged and about to get married. They're about to realize that even best friends can't have what they want. When Marion St Claire's assistant accidently books their weddings on the same day, the same time, and, the same venue, the knives are out. It's winner take all. Friendship has one out the window. The Bride Wars have begun. Who will be the winner?

The Verdict "OK, it's a bit of a chick flick, but don't let that put you off. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway play the leads in this film about the one thing most women dream of: the perfect wedding day. Yes, it could have been a fairy tale wedding but hang on, what would be point? The point is blaringly bloody obvious: there wouldn't have been a need to make the film! Those who enjoyed the hit TV comedy "3rd Rock from the Sun", will get a big kick out of seeing Emmy ® award winner Kristen Johnston ("Strangers with Candy") on the big screen. Her contribution is noteworthy and, produces plenty of laughs. Like last years "What Happens In Vegas", "Bride Wars" ain't no award winner: but it is a lot of fun and good value. And, while it main focus is on the 'fairer' sex, guys can rest assured that they won't end up suffering from 'cringe factor'. Well worth having a look at. Recommended. 4 STARS." Crew Bytes "BRIDE WARS" was .......
directed by Gary Winick ["Sweet Nothing" and "Suddenly 30"]; from a story by Greg DePaul ["Evil Woman"]; costume design by Karen Patch ["Bottle Rocket", "Rushmore" and "Team America: World Police"]; production design by Dan Leigh ["Billions for Boris", "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Be Kind Rewind"]; cinematography by 1997 Fantasporto Directors' Week Award winner Frederick Elmes ["Breakfast in Bed", "The Ice Storm" and "Broken Flowers"]; original music by Edward Shearmur ["K-PAX", "Wimbledon" and "Derailed"]. Who's Who

Kate Hudson Anne Hathaway Bryan Greenberg Chris Pratt Steve Howey Candice Bergen Kristen Johnston Michael Arden Victor Slezak Kelly Coffield Park John Pankow Zoe O'Grady Shannon Ferber June Diane Raphael

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Liv Emma Nate Fletcher Daniel Marion St Claire Deb Kevin Colson Kathy John Young Liv Young Emma Amanda

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