Girls Trip (2017)

How sad is this?

A Disappointing Continuation

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I have never laughed harder than I did in this movie. I honestly don't get people who are mad about it. It's all there in the trailer - if it's not your kind of humor, don't watch it! Do your research! It's crass and bawdy and gross but it's soooooo funny and it's amazing to see a sex comedy about BLACK WOMEN IN THEIR FORTIES. The cast is so hot. Just saying.

GRADE: BTHE FILM IS RECOMMENDED.JIM'S REVIEW: A best-selling author, a gossip columnist, a sex-starved divorcee, and a loud raucous friend reunite with hopes of rekindling their friendships in the highly successful and profitable Girls Trip. The comedy was critically acclaimed, with talk of possible Oscar nominations, which never materialized (nor should it had).The film provides many laugh-out-loud moments and it is a raunchy time, but hardly original. Too often the movie follows its well worn formula with various results, all of which are predictable fare. Much will depend on your liberal sense of humor due to many of the R-rated situations and dialog. The film is capably directed by Malcolm D. Lee and the screenplay by Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver keeps the comic interludes coming at a fast pace.The obvious plot revolves around a hard-working nurse and mother who does not have much of a social life and an Oprah wannabe who is much too accepting of her philandering husband's escapades with his gorgeous mistress. This irritates their other girlfriends who decide to join forces in an effort of unitarity and sisterhood and bond on a trip to New Orleans where, of course, they meet many studs and have sex along the way.The actress all have their memorable moments. Queen Latifah is the solid dependable friend, Regina King brings the drama, Jada Pinkett Smith morphs from typical wallflower to beautiful butterfly, but it is newcomer Tiffany Haddish who steals the show with her outrageous hi-jinks and line delivery (much as Melissa McCartney did in Bridesmaids...a better film with the same "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" premise.) Girls Trip is just that...fun, nothing more.

I watched this movie because there wasn't anything much of anything else on tv, but I figured it would be a lot like Hangover with women instead. I was close. Parts of this movie had me burst out laughing, vulgar jokes - yes, creative one liners - absolutely, stereotypes - abundant. Just know what you're getting into before hitting that play button. The shock value is women behaving like the men in Hangover and I think that turns a lot of people off. If you don't like hearing women swear or talk about nasty things, acting crazy and having a good time with their girls, this movie isn't for you. I enjoyed this movie and thought the acting was pretty dam good. And yes, there was some eye candy and celebrities sprinkled throughout.

I just thought the cast was great, the film was hilarious and fun spirited. If they did a sequel every 10 years - that would be brilliant!