Bridesmaidsoften gets credited as the film that pushed women to the forefront of comedy, and so it should. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph’s 2011 pure delight deserves its flowers, but there’s another film that walked soBridesmaidscould run:The Sweetest Thing.This 2002 romantic comedy dared to let women be as unapologetically risqué as their male counterparts had been for years, and currently, you’re able to enjoy it onNetflix.
Featuring Cameron Diaz as Christina Walters and her best friends, Christina Applegate as Courtney, and Jane Selma Blair as Jane,The Sweetest Thingbrought a rebellious spirit intothe realm of raunchy comedy. But beyond any shock value, the movie allowed women to exude confidence. Where previous female-centered comedies placed women in the straight-man role while men got the laughs,The Sweetest Thingreversed roles.
Christina is a commitment-phobic singleton who lives by the motto of never chasing after a guy. Her world gets turned upside down when she meets Peter Donahue (Thomas Jane) at a club, feeling an instant connection.When he leaves town, Christina breaks her cardinal rule and embarks on a road trip to crash Pete’s brother’s wedding, accompanied by her ride-or-die, Courtney. What follows is a series of outrageous misadventures, integrating romantic comedy conventions with provocative humor, enough to make theAmerican Pieboys blush.
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Diaz, fresh off her success inCharlie’s Angels, brought her natural comedic timing and physicality to Christina, creating a character who was brazen but also sensitive underneath. Her performance captured the essence of early 2000s female empowerment, where women weren’t afraid to go after what they wanted — successful professionals by day and party girls by night. Applegate matches her energy beat for beat, delivering some of the film’s most memorable one-liners, while Blair provides the neurotic counterpoint to her friends' wild antics.
It Was Time For Women To Let Their Hair Down
At a time when women in comedy were largely romantic escapades focused on finding Mr. Right, this film suggested that women could be just as crude, not feeling the need to settle down in a hurry.The film’s unapologetic approach to female sexuality created a blueprint that would later influence films likeBridesmaids,Girls Trip, andRough Night.
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The hallmarks ofThe Sweetest Thingare visible inBridesmaids' laugh-out-loud scenes. Whether it’s crashing a wedding or traveling to Chicago for a bridal shower,both films show that female friendship can be the driving force of comedy, not just romance. Here, women can be messy, flawed, and hilariously inappropriate, while still maintaining their humanity and relatability. Although it’s a crime drama, it would be remiss not to mention thatRidley Scott’sThelma & Louiseblazed this trail first in 1991, proving that female-driven narratives could challenge conventions.
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Shying away from catty, competitive relationships, Christina, Courtney, and Jane genuinely support each other through thick and thin, showing the lengths friends will go to have each other’s backs. Their companionship provides big laughs and moments of cuteness, such as the dressing-up montage scene, just lovely daftness.Its approach to the characters doesn’t have only one view of womanhood— it represents different archetypes: the commitment-phobic party girl, the supportive free spirit, and the neurotic overthinker, each with flaws and moments of growth.
‘The Sweetest Thing’ Deserves Cult Classic Status
Critically, many reviewers dismissedThe Sweetest Thing, directed by Roger Kumble, unimpressed with its frank outlook.Reel Film Reviews reportedit was “an interminable, absolutely abhorrent comedy…” The film’s low rating on Rotten Tomatoes suggests that critics weren’t keen on this open inappropriateness. However,its cult following over the years proves that audiences like this kind of representation.Behind the Lens decided, “The Sweetest Thingis worth a peek at a matinee price if only to see the talented cast who go for broke, have fun with themselves and their characters and who, at the very least, remind us all that girls, like guys, just wanna have fun…”
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Not Taking Film Too Seriously
Looking back over two decades later,The Sweetest Thingfeels like a stepping stone in the evolution offemale-led comedy. Women could lead an in-your-face movie built on outrageous physical humor and a direct approach to sexual encounters, but maintain a light and airy, silly feel.While it may not have achieved the critical acclaim ofBridesmaids, it deserves recognition as a trailblazer. In a world where more women’s stories are being told with intricacy and irreverence,The Sweetest Thingwas one of the comedies that broke the rules first. Hats off, Diaz.
The Sweetest Thing
