Though getting its theatrical release a year after the arrival of “Bridesmaids,” “Bachelorette” — starring Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan and Isla Fischer — was first a stage play, written by Leslye Headland well before the release of Kristen Wiig’s smash hit. But the fact that two recent movies deal with begrudgingly single women who booze their way to the altar in support of a happy friend might be saying something about the moment young ladies are having today.
Playing a character in “Bachelorette” who sleeps around, mocks the bride and brings a bottle of baby powder loaded with cocaine to the festivities, Lizzy Caplan understands what could be at the root of all the bad bridesmaid behavior, in her character’s case at least.
“I think all of our [characters’] little attitudes and tricks worked really well for us as a clique in high school, and none of that seems to be helping us at all in our adult lives, and yet we keep going back to that same well hoping, ‘I stand to regain that success and popularity that we enjoyed in high school,'” Caplan says. “I love my character because what I see in her is not this trash-talking, slutty facade that she presents to the world; I see more of this scared [little girl], very vulnerable and very incapable of showing real emotions or dealing with her feelings.”
As with any film that shoots a bachelorette party, there is the inevitable stripper scene. We asked the veteran comedy actress to weigh in on which traditional hen party staples she approves of.
“The bachelorette parties that I’ve been a part of, we incorporate that stuff. But I don’t exactly run with a crowd that a penis straw would really freak them out. [Like], ‘We’re being so wild tonight!’ I don’t think that’s really gonna shock many of my friends,” she says with a laugh. “I am pro-stripper because I really enjoy an uncomfortable situation. And without fail, after the first initial shock of a surprise stripper, it’s just uncomfortable — and I get a huge kick out of that.”
