‘The Fabulous Four’: Just silly fun

It’s been too long between movies and her absence has been felt, but Bette Midler finally returns to the silver screen in The Fabulous Four. She plays the role of Marilyn, a widow who announces she’s getting married just two months after the death of her husband.

At hearing this one of the characters hilariously announces, “What! She’s getting married so soon after?  It takes longer to cancel a gym membership!”

She reunites with her girlfriends for a hen’s party hoping to recapture the good old times and create new memories. However old wounds resurface between her and her estranged friend Lou which taints the gathering.

Will Marilyn marry the new man of her dreams? Why did Marilyn and Lou drift apart and can history repeat? More importantly will they ultimately find solace and rekindle their friendship?

There’s something quite divine about Bette Midler. A singer, comedienne and actress, she always shines on the big screen even when the material she has to work with is average.

And average this comedy is. Enveloped in silliness, seemingly recycled and cringeworthy gags are interspersed throughout which would traditionally barely raise a chuckle. However, with Midler’s participation laughter abounds.

Midler’s presence on screen brings every project to life. A mere glance at Midler’s facial expressions in the cheesiest of comical sequences should raise a smile on the faces of the most obstinate of moviegoers.

The never aging and delectable Susan Sarandon plays the role of Lou, Marilyn’s ex best friend and the rest of the ‘old gang’ are portrayed by lesser-known actresses Megan Mullally and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Keep an eye out for Midler’s daughter, up and coming actress Sophie von Hasselberg, who plays the support role of Amanda and Michael Bolton’s surprise appearance as a singer on stage

Life’s too short to hold grudges is a standout theme that filters through all the absurd zaniness and nonsense which audiences should relate to.

There is definitely a market for comedies which provide such silly fun. It’s not a remarkable cinematic offering but then it wasn’t meant to be. If audiences are removed from their day-to-day woes for 90 minutes, have a few laughs and exit the cinema with smiles on their faces, then this movie has successfully reached its goal.

★★★
In cinemas August 1