I must say, I'm perplexed by the negative reviews of this film. As a longtime major fan of the television series, I was reluctant to watch the film because I didn't want to cringe with disappointment. But once I finally decided to watch it, I LOVED it and immediately watched it again (plus a few times since).
Film critics are entitled to their own opinions, of course, but I think some viewers didn't really "get it." First of all, the film is a brilliant pastiche of several classic films, ranging from the obvious (James Bond; Some Like It Hot; Thelma and Louise) to the more subtle. (For example, Jennifer Saunders flips a famous quote from the Empire Strikes Back by having Saffy say, "I love you," to which Lola replies, "Thanks.")
Second, the film is full of jokes that I personally find hilarious, such as referring to a publishing company as "Random Penguin" (ostensibly a merger of Random House and Penguin); having Jean-Paul Gaultier discover Kate Moss while dumpster-diving on the beach with a metal detector; Rebel Wilson as a brassy flight attendant on Budget Airlines (pronounced boo-JAY); and Llewella Gideon's return as Edina's insulting beautician.
Third, the film's production value is very high. The cinematography is beautiful, and many of the costumes are stunning (particularly Edina's and Bubbles' outfits in the final scene). The soundtrack is wonderful, from Nancy Sinatra to a glam version of "Wheels on Fire" by Kylie Minogue.
I don't know what viewers were expecting; Jennifer Saunders would probably describe her own writing as instinctive as "just having a good time," but in fact it is sophisticated, exquisitely subtle, and postmodern in its intertextuality and moments of surrealism. Perhaps it isn't dumbed-down enough for today's dulled viewership -- but this reviewer thinks it's Absolutely Fabulous.
Film critics are entitled to their own opinions, of course, but I think some viewers didn't really "get it." First of all, the film is a brilliant pastiche of several classic films, ranging from the obvious (James Bond; Some Like It Hot; Thelma and Louise) to the more subtle. (For example, Jennifer Saunders flips a famous quote from the Empire Strikes Back by having Saffy say, "I love you," to which Lola replies, "Thanks.")
Second, the film is full of jokes that I personally find hilarious, such as referring to a publishing company as "Random Penguin" (ostensibly a merger of Random House and Penguin); having Jean-Paul Gaultier discover Kate Moss while dumpster-diving on the beach with a metal detector; Rebel Wilson as a brassy flight attendant on Budget Airlines (pronounced boo-JAY); and Llewella Gideon's return as Edina's insulting beautician.
Third, the film's production value is very high. The cinematography is beautiful, and many of the costumes are stunning (particularly Edina's and Bubbles' outfits in the final scene). The soundtrack is wonderful, from Nancy Sinatra to a glam version of "Wheels on Fire" by Kylie Minogue.
I don't know what viewers were expecting; Jennifer Saunders would probably describe her own writing as instinctive as "just having a good time," but in fact it is sophisticated, exquisitely subtle, and postmodern in its intertextuality and moments of surrealism. Perhaps it isn't dumbed-down enough for today's dulled viewership -- but this reviewer thinks it's Absolutely Fabulous.