Girls Trip: A Female “Hangover!”

Robin and I really enjoyed this film, and, although there is one 15-minute scene that doesn't work, the rest of the movie is extremely funny.  It's got a great ensemble cast, and I think it's the best comedy of the year so far!  The film is about four close friends who haven't been in-touch or together for five years, going away together for a fun-filled, no-limits weekend in New Orleans.  If you liked "The Hangover" or "Bridesmaids," you will enjoy this movie too, and I'd rate it on par with those films.  All the characters are pretty well-developed and the film has considerable depth, considering it's primarily a raucous and goofy film. Ryan Pierce (Regina Hall) is an extremely successful woman.  She has written a best-seller and is married to a retired NFL star, Stewart Price (Mike Colter).  She's a celebrity and makes multiple TV appearances on talk shows, and is even the key-note speaker at a conference with the theme of empowering black woman – which was the inspiration for the trip.  However, her life and marriage are not what she portrays. Accompanying her to the conference are her three friends.  Dina (Tiffany Haddish) is an impulsive and, at times, violent woman who was just fired for assaulting a male co-worker.  (Haddish provides 80% of the film's laughs, and it's a break-out performance for her.)  She has an unbelievably funny scene about "grapefruiting" (a sexual activity that seems great in theory, but has a problem with implementation).  Sasha Franklin (Queen Latifah) was once a serious and talented journalist, but she is now a gossip blogger, and her site is failing.  Lisa Cooper (Jada Pinkett Smith) is a divorced nurse with two kids, who was once wild, sexy, and uninhibited, but is now an up-tight mom, without a boyfriend. Although there's plenty of laughs, the film has deeper themes, including friendship, being true to yourself, and having the courage to face your fears.  It will work fine as a rental, but it's good enough now to see on the BS.  I wish they had invited me along for the ride, but seeing the movie is the next best thing.