#REVIEW: “THE FABULOUS FOUR”

By Mr. Will Wong

We never grow tired of the tried and true, and Jocelyn Moorhouse (Proof, The Dressmaker) is back with Comedy THE FABULOUS FOUR.  We love that four female buddy trope where ladies get in trouble, hash-out their long suppressed issues and everything ends in a big celebration.  This Film is no different and it’s same script, different Cast.  But have you seen this iconic, decorated Cast?

The story centers on introverted Lou (Susan Sarandon) who is an accomplished doctor, who gets roped-in by longtime friends Alice (Megan Mullally) who is a famous singer, and Kitty (Sheryl Lee Ralph), a grandmother trying to reconcile her relationship with her religious daughter and grandson, who suddenly leaves home. The vivacious Marilyn (Bette Midler) is about to get married again in Key West, giving these four pals a chance to reunite, but Lou is still harbouring some heavy feelings about Marilyn. For one, she stole her man… and never apologized for it!

While we adore this Ensemble, ultimately THE FABULOUS FOUR feels like it falls short of going all in.   Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly co-pen the Script which possesses elements of raunchy humour and debauchery, though it feels a bit too lighthanded. At the end of the journey though, we’re not sure that we ever even scrape surface of the souls of these charming women. Bits are revealed about their pasts, but the Film would’ve benefitted from a bit more exposition of the stories leading up to their here and now. Never for a moment though are any of the Film’s faults in the performances, but even someone as brilliant as Midler can only do so much when her character is limited to one note. Typically in this genre, there usually is some type of an emotional moment that culminates from a reconciliation.  This is something the story lacks.

This genre certainly could use a new entry as mature ladies and their fans need their own Summer ’24 moment, we just wish this was just a bit more fab!

levelFILM release THE FABULOUS FOUR Friday, July 26, 2024.