As a gawky, spotty teen Marni (Kristen Bell) was bullied
throughout high school, but now an attractive,
high-flying PR exec, she's finally put her adolescent
anguish behind her. Marni's unpleasant past comes
flooding back, however, when she travels home for
her brother Will's (James Wolk) wedding, and
discovers his wife-to-be is her former tormentor-inchief
Joanna (Odette Annable).
Dismayed at the idea of her arch-nemesis becoming
a member of her own family, Marni resolves to split
the happy couple up. But as she schemes, another
grudge comes to the fore with mum Gail (Jamie Lee Curtis)
rediscovering an old enemy of her own in Joanna's
Aunt Ramona (Sigourney Weaver).
With some of its elements unintentionally bordering
on parody, this frantic comedy pulls through on the
strength of its top-draw cast. There are familiar faces
in all the central roles, with the always watchable (if
not quite convincing as an ugly duckling) Bell
(Couples Retreat) leading the pack. Weaver and
Curtis are great fun, and clearly game for a laugh, as
are a cameoing Dwayne Johnson, Cloris Leachman
and Patrick Duffy. Also look out for comedy veteran
Betty White, who adds her role as Grandma Bunny to
a long list of chucklesome recent appearances in
films and TV shows such as 30 Rock, The Middle,
Community, Hot in Cleveland and The Proposal.
Aimed squarely at a female audience, this
multi-generational comedy should please viewers
of all ages looking for undemanding fun.