Kristen Wiig has exploded in popularity since starring in BRIDESMAIDS a couple of years ago. She left SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and has been consistently starring in films ranging from indie darlings like THE SKELETON TWINS to the upcoming GHOSTBUSTERS reboot. But, like every funny actress, she also is stretching herself dramatically. WELCOME TO ME still retains the kooky nature of what makes Wiig so likeable but also gives her a meatier dramatic role to play with.
The first trailer for WELCOME TO ME, also known as the movie that features Kristen Wiig doing a full frontal nude scene, plays like a quirky comedy, but as you progress you can tell this may be some misleading editing. There looks to be a darker undercurrent to the film, something reminiscent of Will Ferrell‘s dramatic turns in STRANGER THAN FICTION and EVERYTHING MUST GO. It is a fitting comparison as Ferrell also serves as producer on WELCOME TO ME.
What happens when a young woman with Borderline Personality Disorder wins the lottery? In the case of Alice Klieg (Kristen Wiig), she quits her psychiatric meds and buys her own talk show. Inspired by the immortal Oprah, she broadcasts her dirty laundry as both a form of exhibitionism and a platform to share her peculiar views on everything from nutrition to relationships to neutering pets.
I like Kristen Wiig but I can understand why a lot of folks find her annoying or grating. I think I like her more in subdued roles like THE SKELETON TWINS than her manic personality, so WELCOME TO ME may be the best of both worlds. I just hope that this doesn’t end up one of those generic indies that gets by thanks to a big name on the poster.
Also starring Wes Bentley, James Marsden, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Linda Cardellini, WELCOME TO ME opens in theaters on May 1st.
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