Review by Anneke Hak

Starring: Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Kristen Johnston, Candice Bergen
Directed by: Gary Winnick, Bryan Greenberg
(PG), 90 mins,

In cinemas: 9th January2009

What’s the story?
Best friends Liv (Hudson) and Emma (Hathaway) have been planning every detail of their respective weddings since before they can remember. Now, at 26 they’re both engaged and putting those plans into action, starting by booking their dream wedding location - New York’s Plaza Hotel. But, there’s a mix up with dates and the pair find that they have their ceremonies booked for the same day. Neither one agreeing to back down, the gloves come off for all out bridal warfare.

Who’s in it?
Kate Hudson is perfect as Liv, the hard-nosed, unable to cry, New York attorney who’ll risk it all for her wedding day, while Anne Hathaway plays Emma, the wilting schoolteacher used to putting everyone before herself, who finds her fighting streak in the film. Kristen Johnston supports Hathaway’s Emma hilariously as the overbearing Deb, the maid of honour from hell.

What’s to like?
The amazing lengths that the girls will go to in order to sabotage one another’s wedding day are shocking, yet surprisingly believable. You’ll laugh along as one plot leads to another and each bride tries to get her revenge.

What’s not to like?
Although we’re glad that Emma finds her darker side and begins to stick up for herself, we find it hard to believe she’d be dating Fletcher, and the movie seemed to over sentimentalise at the end.

Best bit?
Anne Hathaway getting her groove on in the hen party scene left our sides splitting. And we have to mention Liv’s gorgeous Vera Wang dress. “You don’t wear Vera Wang, Vera Wang wears you,” is our new mantra.

Verdict
If you’re looking for something to do with the girls on a cold winter’s night, seeing Bride Wars should be at the top of your list.