ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE (2016, UK/USA, 91m, 15) ***
Comedy
dist. 20th Century Fox (UK), Fox Searchlight Pictures (USA); pr co. BBC Films / Fox Searchlight; d. Mandie Fletcher; w. Jennifer Saunders; pr. Damian Jones, Jon Plowman; ph. Chris Goodger (Colour | 2.35:1); m. Charlie Mole; addl m. Zach Robinson; ed. Anthony Boys, Gavin Buckley, Billy Sneddon; pd. Harry Banks; ad. Margaret Spohrer, Nikki Startup.
cast: Jennifer Saunders (Edina), Joanna Lumley (Patsy), Julia Sawalha (Saffy), June Whitfield (Mother), Jane Horrocks (Bubble), Chris Colfer (Christopher), Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness (Lola), Christopher Ryan (Marshall), Mo Gaffney (Bo), Kathy Burke (Magda), Helen Lederer (Catriona), Celia Imrie (Claudia Bing), Robert Webb (Nick), Marcia Warren (Lubliana), Barry Humphries (Charlie / Dame Edna), Lulu (Lulu), Emma Bunton (Emma Bunton), Kate Moss (Kate Moss), Wanda Ventham (Violet), Janette Tough (Huki Muki), Rebel Wilson (Air Stewardess), Rylan Clark-Neal (Air Steward), Mark Gatiss (Joel).
An okay big-screen adaptation of the hit TV comedy series which ran from 1992 to 2012. Publicist Edina Monsoon (Saunders) and best friend Patsy Stone (Lumley) are still shopping, drinking and clubbing their way around London’s trendiest hot spots. While attending an elite party, they wind up knocking supermodel Kate Moss into the River Thames. Her untimely demise creates a media firestorm, leading the paparazzi to relentlessly pursue the hapless duo. Seeking refuge, the gals flee to the French Riviera where they hatch a plan to make their escape permanent and live the high life forever. Saunders and Lumley are excellent as ever and there are many familiar faces in the cast. The film has its moments but overall it feels over-stretched, and the frenetic comedy eventually starts to wear thin. There are lots of cameo appearances to watch out for.
