Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

Crack open the bolly; the highly-anticipated film adaptation of the hit British sitcom is everything you’d expect it to be.

Flash-forward twenty-six years and nearly forty episodes later, and Saunders has finally brought the show to the big screen.

Back in the early-nineties, fresh from her comic success with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders graced British television screens with a brand-new sitcom. The show, Absolutely Fabulous, offered a satirical look at the absurd industries of fashion and PR, focusing on self-indulgent narcissist, Edina “Eddy” Monsoon (Saunders). The script was sharp, openly mocking the highly ridiculous nature of the industries it was depicting. It also bestowed upon the world one of the greatest sitcom characters ever written: Eddy’s outrageous, cocaine-and-champagne filled partner in crime, Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley). Flash-forward twenty-six years and nearly forty episodes later, and Saunders has finally brought the show to the big screen.

Image: Twentieth Century Fox

The chemistry between Saunders and Lumley is as strong as ever. Witty remarks about foetus-blood facial injections blend well with the classic slapstick humour which can be found in the original TV show. Watching expert comic actresses such as Saunders and Lumley slipping back into character with such ease is extremely satisfying, and despite being inherently unlikeable individuals, it is a welcome sight to see these characters again.

Saunders’ script is uneven with several jokes falling flat.

The plot is as ridiculous as it sounds, with Eddy accidentally “killing” Kate Moss while trying to win her next PR contract. This, of course, results in her and Patsy having to escape to the French Riviera to avoid the hatred which ensues, including Eddy being “trollied” on Twitter. Also, the exotic location offers them the chance to obtain a large amount of money, something Eddy is in dire need of. However, the preposterousness of the plot actually adds to the enjoyment of the film.

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is nevertheless a fun, feel-good film, containing everything you would expect of an Ab Fab film.

Undoubtedly, Lumley’s performance as the wickedly comic Patsy steals the film, a human so debaucherous, she puts Jordan Belfort to shame. She’s as hilarious and brilliant as ever, although unfortunately not as vicious or acidic as she’s been seen to be in the past. Nonetheless, I could’ve quite happily spent a further few hours simply watching Lumley’s droll facial expressions.

Likewise, there are several moments of satirical brilliance, with Saunders taking digs at numerous aspects of modern culture, including the laughable headlines found within the Daily Mail, and the media’s ability to bring you 24-hour coverage of “Breaking News” …before it’s even happened.

Image: Twentieth Century Fox

The film is not perfect by any means. Saunders’ script is uneven with several jokes falling flat. Sadly, it is Eddy’s useless and ditzy assistant Bubbles (Jane Horrocks) who suffers most from this comic inconsistency. Equally, the constant reliance on celebrity cameos works against the film, as it becomes apparent that several celebrities (*ahem* Kate Moss) are not actors for a reason. However, some of these do work, namely Rebel Wilson’s brief part as a ballsy air stewardess and her subsequent showdown with Patsy. But then again, over the years, the show has become renowned for these famous walk-ons, meaning it would not quite be an Absolutely Fabulous film without people like Lulu and Emma Bunton making an appearance. If only these had been fewer.

There are several moments of satirical brilliance, with Saunders taking digs at numerous aspects of modern culture

There is simply not enough laughs to make this a comic masterpiece, but for fans of the TV show such as myself, this film is a welcome treat. Luckily, it manages to avoid being the utter dross some TV show-cum-films have turned out to be (*ahem* Sex and the City 2 and Entourage).

In the midst of all the political turmoil these days, this film could not have come at a better time. While it may not win any awards, nor will it change anything within the world of cinema, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is nevertheless a fun, feel-good film, containing everything you would expect of an Ab Fab film. Good job sweetie darling.

Director: Mandie Fletcher

Run Time: 91 minutes

Country: UK

Starring: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawahla, June Whitfield, Jane Horrocks