The maid of honor is the unsung hero at every wedding: she has to make sure everything runs smoothly, remain perpetually enthusiastic, and look good no matter what taffeta atrocity she’s been asked to wear. Plus, she can't ever upstage the bride.

Such is the burden facing screenwriter and star Kristen Wiig in Paul Feig's long-awaited comedy "Bridesmaids." If it flops, it'll be her fault. If it succeeds, producer Judd Apatow -- finally breaking free from bromances -- will get much of the credit.

Good thing he tossed the bouquet to the right woman.

Wiig and her co-writer, Annie Mumolo, were clearly determined to make a movie that actually reflected reality, albeit in the most exaggerated manner imaginable, and with as much alcohol as possible.

So Wiig's Annie isn't just down on her luck but a perpetual underachiever, whose world is rocked when her best friend (Maya Rudolph) gets engaged. With no idea what lies ahead, she loyally agrees to be maid of honor.

Things head south immediately, as the other bridesmaids (including standout Melissa McCarthy) notice Annie's slacker attitude. The snooty Helen (Rose Byrne, perfect) is especially appalled, and begins approaching pre-wedding planning as a competitive sport. Meanwhile, Annie's so distracted by a selfish playboy (Jon Hamm), she keeps overlooking an obvious soul mate (Chris O'Dowd).

If this sounds like a typical date movie, worry not. It's very much an Apatow production—though the crasser additions, like his already-notorious food poisoning scene, feel painfully forced. Like most of his movies, this one's also too long, and ends with a rushed, regrettably dismissive finale that literally pushes Annie into the back seat of her own story.

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