Article posted Wednesday, June 15, 2011 4:45pm

Dear Miss Manners,

I recently went to the movie Bridesmaids because someone (who I think knows my taste) was raving about it, saying she was going to go see it again because it was so funny. Upon her recommendation, I went only to find myself rather uncomfortable throughout the whole thing. I wasn’t prepared in the least for the raunchy nature of this movie. Shouldn’t my friend have warned me that it was crude and might not suit my tastes?

No More Raunchy Recommendations
Ephraim, WI

Dear No More Raunchy Recommendations,

I saw this movie as well and it lived up to my low expectations. Crude is an understatement. It was billed as the “Hangover movie for women.” What makes Hollywood think that women want to stoop to the level of The Hangover? I will admit that I haven’t seen The Hangover; however, I can tell a lot from a preview, and I know it is the same caliber of Knocked Up, American Pie, etc. I will also admit that I found several parts very funny. I am not totally devoid of a sense of humor; in fact, I think I’ve got a good sense of humor. I just don’t find aggressively obnoxious and rude behavior funny. I’m over it. It shows a total lack of creativity since it’s quicker to go for the cheap, and stupid, laugh. Can you imagine if Bridesmaids was put into a time capsule to be opened 100 years from now? What would that say about us?

My 94-year-old grandmother was taken to see this movie with her senior group by a well intentioned, yet totally misinformed, social director. If you and I were disgusted, can you even imagine what my poor Gram and her friends thought? It was beyond culture shock for them.

Friends’ movie recommendations have missed the mark for me over the years – There’s Something About Mary being a prime example. Personally, I’m usually skeptical unless I hear a movie is produced by the BBC. You’d like to think that your friends know you well enough to know your tastes, but in this case, your friend let her enthusiasm for the movie overshadow what you would really think of the movie. I’m sorry that you were uncomfortable. My advice for you is to check out reviews online before you go see a film. That will give you another perspective. My second bit of advice is to rent a really good movie to try to override the memory of this one.

Good luck,
Mary Pat