Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Movie Review … Girls Trip




Comedies featuring a group of friends travelling to a destination aren’t new.  Dozens of recent examples like ‘Bridesmaids’ and the ‘Hangover’ movies have appealed to audiences.  Whilst a few have indulged in gross-out toilet humour for laughs, others have tried to conjure more sophisticated ways in raising mirth.  ‘Girls Trip’ is halfway between with a focus on the emotional bonds that friends share.  Graced with an energetic cast who remember to have fun even when its characters behave very badly.

Ryan (Regina Hall), Sasha (Queen Latifah), Lisa (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Dina (Tiffany Haddish) are lifelong friends.  Wanting to take a weekend vacation to a music festival in New Orleans, they hit the road ready for adventure.  Ladies, who have had mixed fortunes in their personal lives, use the time away to reflect on where they’ve been.  With wild times and tested friendships ahead, the four-some discover more about each other and the unbreakable union they share.

‘Girl Trip’ shows how far movie comedies have come.   In the 50’s the humour relied on style and wit with the decades since humour has gradually descended into the gutter for laughs.  Those who find bodily function jokes hilarious will get that here.  But beneath the undignified carry-on, ‘Girls Trip’ has interesting things to say about how time changes people and the notion of friendship.  There are good messages amidst the smut which makes it regrettable that the screenplay felt it needed to enter the realms of unspeakable vulgarity.

For its many faults, ‘Girls Trip’ is enlivened by the leads’ chemistry.  You feel they have been genuine friends for years with the performers knowing how to successfully deliver a comedic retort.  The antics they get up to feel familiar and it doesn’t break new ground.  The moments away from the grotesque sewer-like jokes are its best with fully formed characters trying to cope with life.  New Orleans looks amazing and becomes an exotic bystander to the ladies’ unending wickedness.

Hardly a classy affair, ‘Girls Trip’ moderately succeeds in being truly amusing.  Fans of ‘end of pier’-style laugh-fests may enjoy it with its dramatic moments more bearable.  You can’t fault the casts’ enthusiasm with these types of comedies still finding favour amongst easily pleased viewers.


Movie Review Rating out of 10:  5

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.



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