ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE (2016)

Directed By: Mandie Flethcer 
Written By: Jennifer Saunders 
Cinematography By: Chris Goodger 
Editor: Anthony Boys, Gavin Buckley & Billy Sneedon 


Cast: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, Kate Moss, Jane Horrocks, Chris Colfer, June Whitfiled, Mo Gaffney, Kathy Burke, Robert Webb, Dawn French, Barry Humphries, Rebel Wilson, Joan Collins, Lulu 


Edina and Patsy are still oozing glitz and glamor, living the high life they are accustomed to; shopping, drinking and clubbing their way around London's trendiest hot-spots. Blamed for a major incident at an uber fashionable launch party, they become entangled in a media storm and are relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi. Fleeing penniless to the glamorous playground of the super-rich, the French Riviera, they hatch a plan to make their escape permanent and live the high life forever more!


Let me start off by saying that I am a fan of the show. But this feels like a letdown. I would say they could have titles this on vacation but the show has already done episodes like that and better. His film seems like it is more on the run.

It Seems like times has a more caught up and come around again. So that the characters have nothing to rebel or critique as times aren't as staunch as when the show premiered. So the show doesn't seem as decadent and challenging.

It seems like this film is 10 years too late. Where the characters as always seem to try too hard to be hip with modern trends. The film seems to attempt the same thing with it's material. Which instantly ages everything more.

It leaves one Wondering of this is what the shows legion of fans who are now older and can relate more to the aging characters and trying to stay hip in a world. It catered to anyone past a certain age. Or meant to show hem how ridiculous the characters are in trying to stay in a youth marketed industry though clearly pass their prime and a bit long in the tooth.

It seems ridiculous and not as biting and as set as it seems to wish it was. Though the characters still look the same, but somewhat reconstructed.

Though this comedy is big and broad it seems limited on the Big screens more of a celebrity filled three part episode of the original show with more locations and a slightly bigger budget. So that this film feels like Robert Altman's PRET A PORTER only less artistic.

It does feel like an Episode of the show one that he audience has seen plenty of times before. Like any episode where they go on vacation or go international.

Where we are supposed to still believe her Kate Moss is one of the most powerful celebrities. As she is overly worshipped in this film. The film ends up Not being as biting or humorous. It's more like a caper comedy with very few details that strangely feels too structured and on the verge of hilarity as it has the build up. But feels like the best stuff is left on the cutting room floor. Especially with some scenes shown during the ending credit sequence snapshots.

The film has some celebrities in major roles playing themselves. While hinting at some of the films sources and basis.

The film is an alright broad comedy that will more appeal to older audience members. As it feels like a film made for the overblown 90's. As it makes you question this was the film we all waited for over a decade for? It strangely just feels like a cash in of sorts.

The leads get to have all the Jokes and action with the supporting characters more sidelined and more just part of the story or being called upon to react to the craziness rather than really join in. So that it feels like a female buddy comedy of the past. That has no seperation or argument where they will later have to come together.

It gives it’s audience everything it expects or what the filmmakers believe they want or have come to expect from the material.

The films script was written more or less to win a public bet. Which you can kind of tell as it seems rushed and more of a first draft than anything truly thought through. As there are a bunch of loose ends that are never tied up --It just ends up being disappointing more than anything.

 
Grade: C-