The line snaked between the velvet rope and spilled out onto the sidewalk beyond. My girlfriends and I raced to claim a spot in the swelling mass.  “I hope this isn’t all for Bride Wars!” Exclaimed my friend Cheyenne as the line moved at an agonizing pace.

It was 9:40 on Friday night, and Katherine had concocted the idea of a girl’s night out, centered around the chick flick Bride Wars, which was opening that day. Starring two of my all-time favorite actresses, Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson, Bride Wars is a comedy about two childhood friends who share the dream of a June wedding in the Plaza Hotel.

When they both become engaged within days of each other and accidentally book their weddings for the same day (and time), it becomes a rat race to the altar, with each bride trying to sabotage the other.

Hathaway and Hudson are, in my opinion, polar opposites of each other. Hudson, with her golden locks and mischievous grin, looks the role of an athletic Californian. Hathaway, on the other hand, appears to inhabit the upper circles of New York, with her porcelain skin, dark hair and eyes, and sensuous lips. It intrigued me that these two personalities would come together in this film. Both actresses have several accolades, including (for Hathaway) praise for The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada, and (for Hudson) instant fame and a Golden Globe for her work in Almost Famous.

After filling my arms with popcorn and a soda, I joined my friends in the pursuit of seats within the crowded auditorium. It seemed as though every girl on campus had turned out for the event! Unfortunately, the size of the audience does not exactly promise an Oscar-winning performance, and that was the case with Bride Wars.

The movie opened to a series of photographs chronicling the young Liv and Emma’s exploits as young girls first setting eyes on a wedding in the Plaza. They are captivated by the gorgeous bride and her fantastical wedding ceremony. From that day forward, the twosome promised that, when their own times came, they would have weddings at the fabulous Plaza in the warmth of June.

Flash forward to an adult Liv (Hudson), now a successful lawyer with money to spare, and Emma (Hathaway), a middle school teacher living on a lower income. Liv is clearly the dominant friend, while Emma lets everyone take advantage of her, including a fellow teacher named Deb (played by Kristen Johnston). Both have steady boyfriends, Nate (Bryan Greenberg) and Fletcher (Chris Pratt).

When Liv and Emma accidentally uncover a Tiffany box hidden in Nate’s closet, the two women immediately assume that Liv’s boyfriend is going to propose. Impatient Liv announces the news to her girlfriends without ever seeing the ring.

Meanwhile, Emma’s longtime boyfriend Fletcher proposes to her. Ecstatic, Emma plans for a June wedding at the Plaza. Liv, who is still waiting for Nate to pop the question, seethes with jealousy. Finally, after a run in the park with a bubbly Emma who discusses her wedding plans non-stop, a frustrated Liv bursts into Nate’s office and demands that he marry her.

With both girls engaged, the duo set out to the home of Marion St. Claire (Candice Bergen), infamous wedding planner. Bergen’s part is insignificant at best, and does not play to her acting prowess. In fact, I was left wondering why Bergen, who has won 5 Emmys and 2 Golden Globes, would accept such a small, and, frankly, shallow character role.

St. Claire informs Liv and Emma that there are only 3 dates available at the Plaza in June: two on the 6th and one on the 27th. Liv takes the 6th and Emma the 27th. Resplendent with their success, the two friends commence wedding plans thinking everything is working out, until they receive an urgent phone call from St. Claire.

Apparently, a mistake has been made, and the two brides are now scheduled to be wed on June 6th, together. Another bride has been given the 27th. An enraged Liv begins bargaining with St. Claire, but can learn nothing about the other bride, who is a confidential client.

Undaunted, Liv and Emma confront St. Claire’s receptionist and learn the identity of the third bride, who they then confront in a hilarious scene in a department store. The bride refuses to relinquish her date, however, and Liv and Emma are left with the 6th. This seems like an almost unreal situation, as the woman does not even consider switching dates, and gives no reason as to why.

Sitting on the sidewalk, Liv and Emma come to the conclusion that one of them will simply have to pursue “another venue” for their wedding and the other will keep the Plaza. Neither has any intention of relinquishing their dream wedding, however, and a cold war begins between the two friends as they wait for the other to cave.

The rest of the movie becomes a constant battle as the two polar opposites try to sabotage the other’s wedding. Antics such as blue hair dye, an orange spray tan, and even a dance off are hilarious, but almost seem too extreme. Being friends as long as they have, Liv and Emma’s antics seem a bit childish.

At one point, Emma purposefully sends daily treats to Liv to fatten her up so she can no longer fit into her Vera Wang wedding dress. How horrible is that? Women are known to be ruthless in their revenge, but, if there is one thing I know about us, friendship is a powerful bond that we are loath to severe so easily. Even if my best girlfriend were to steal my wedding date, I would not reveal the secrets she confided in me. It’s too cruel and personal. This movie seems to be loosely based around the idea that all women, when they don’t get what they want, turn to vindictive plots of revenge and start attacking even their closest friends.

The end of the movie, which contains a tear-eyed reunion between the two friends, does not seem real. Liv replaces Emma’s slide show with a video of Emma getting plastered on Tequila. Emma’s entire wedding party witnesses the embarrassing event, and it proves the final straw. An enraged Emma bursts into Liv’s wedding and tackles her to the ground. One minute the brides are rolling around on the floor in their wedding dresses, the next they are crying in each other’s arms and all is forgiven. I’m sorry, but WHAT? People do not just make up like that, especially after such a vicious catfight! It seemed very unreal.

The saving grace in the wedding scene is not the brides’ reunion, but rather the two gorgeous wedding dresses. Liv, having the money, decides on a stunning Vera Wang gown. Strapless, with a fitted bodice and full skirt, the white dress is stunning. A purple velvet ribbon tied around the waist ads a dash of femininity to the ensemble.

Emma’s dress, which, in the film, is her mother’s old wedding dress, is really a Vera Wang too. The simple dress screams vintage with a fitted torso leading down to a mermaid skirt. The collar rests below the shoulders, and elegantly displays Emma’s collar bone. A long train, attached at the top of the dress, ads a romantic finish.