5. Bridesmaids (2011)
Award winning comedy Bridesmaids was one of 2011's biggest hits, cementing the star status of lead actress Kristen Wiig and introducing audiences to the comic talents of Melissa McCarthy, Rebel Wilson and Chris O'Dowd. The film follows Wiig's character, Annie, whose life seems to be falling apart just as her oldest friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph) appears to have got everything together. Lillian is about to be married and names best friend Annie maid of honour, but Annie quickly finds competition for the role in the shape of Lillian's seemingly-perfect new friend Helen (Rose Byrne). Finding herself planning Lillian's upcoming nuptials, competing against Helen and juggling her own unemployment and unfulfilling relationship, Annie quickly finds her life spiralling out of control. Bridesmaids combines hilarious comedy with touchingly realistic portrayals of friendship and it is this combination which makes the film so well-loved. Wiig and Rudolph are absolutely believable. However, the scene that epitomises the film's mixture of realistic friendship and humour takes place between Annie and fellow bridesmaid Megan (Melissa McCarthy). Megan goes to visit a despondent Annie and humorously attempts to cheer her up but, more crucially and more movingly, Megan attempts to get Annie to "fight for her life" and do something to change her present dissatisfaction. Bridesmaids is different from many of the other wedding movies on the list: Lillian's upcoming wedding acts as a catalyst for the events that follow, but it is the female friendships and not the romantic relationships that anchor the film. Hilarious, touching and incredibly well-written, Bridesmaids is an enjoyable and unique wedding movie.