Homance is the new bromance in Bridesmaids

From the opening seconds of Bridesmaids, you know this isn't another chick flick. Rather, it's the female equivalent of producer Judd Apatow's raunchy bromance hits Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin. Saturday Night Live alumni Kristen Wiig stars as Annie, a 30-something single woman working a dead end job after her cake shop went bust. The one spark in her life is childhood best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph), so when she gets engaged Annie accepts her offer to be Maid Of Honour. But taking on the role turns out to be more work than she expected. She's forced to plan the bridal shower, dress fittings and bachorelette party around Lillian's rag-tag bridal party made up of diva Helen (Rose Byrne), tomboy Megan (Melissa McCarthy), horny housewife Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and innocent newlywed Becca (Ellie Kemper). As each event gets more and more disastrous, Annie quickly becomes a Maid Of Dishonour.

Touted as a female version of The Hangover, Bridesmaids is a superior comedy in many ways. The jokes are original, the characters quirky yet authentic and the cast carry an edgy film with their seamless performances. Wiig has not only written a smart and sassy screenplay, but as the leading lady she reaffirms her status, alongside Tina Fey, as one of the most talented female comedians working. Her understated delivery of witty one-liners is matched perfectly with the freestyle insanity of loose-lipped scenes a la Will Ferrell. Aussie actress Byrne shows her turn as the only funny thing in Get Him To The Greek wasn't a one-off. She takes to another comedic role with the seriousness that has made her a formidable dramatic actress.The supporting cast is also great, but Wiig and Byrne have so much chemistry its difficult to focus on anyone else. Highlights are indie comedian Rudloph, Mad Men's Jon Hamm as douchebag, and the pair of Little Britain's Matt Lucas and Aussie Rebel Wilson (in her Hollywood breakthrough) as Annie's weird roommates. Irish actor Chris O'Dowd as the love interest is also one to watch. Producer/director Paul Feig's hand is almost invisible as he lets the bevy of talent on this project take the reigns, with fantastic results. It was a ballsy move to have a cast of relative unknowns lead a female-orientated comedy that plays just as dirty as the male ones. But it has maid off. Bridesmaids is the first genuinely funny comedy of the year and it will have you saying I do.

Bridesmaids is out Thursday, June 16.