‘Fabulous’ a bit flabulous on a full-blown film screen
Nostalgia can be a powerful force, but it can’t turn back time nor stretch what works as a TV sitcom into a worthwhile feature-length film.
Nostalgia, however, is definitely the reason to see “Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie,” based on the beloved 1990s Britcom about hard-drinking, hard-drugging pals Edina (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy (Joanna Lumley).
The show, which started life as a skit created by Saunders and her comedy writing partner, Dawn French, was a delicious satire that reveled in the inappropriate behavior and deep lack of self-awareness of its characters while also skewering pop culture. It also inspired some of the best drag costumes of all time.
Entering their 60s has not had a chilling effect on the behavior of Edina and Patsy or their cravings for Bolly (that’s Bollinger Champagne for you Korbel drinkers).
Saunders, who wrote the screenplay, reunites nearly all of the old gang, including Edina’s conservative daughter Saffron (Julia Sawalha), now divorced with a teenager of her own; her dippy but often on-point mother (June Whitfield); and her incomprehensible assistant, Bubble (Jane Horrocks).
But some things have changed: Edina takes the occasional selfie, while Patsy sneers and swipes on Tinder. Basically, though, the song remains the same. Edina spends more than her PR firm makes. Patsy chain smokes. Both drink. Saffron despairs.
The movie has only the barest free-form plot: Told by a publisher that her life isn’t interesting enough to warrant a memoir, Edina schemes to boost her profile by signing Kate Moss as a client during London Fashion Week. Instead, things go awry, and Edina and Patsy must flee to the south of France, where they hope an old flame of Patsy’s can turn around their fortunes.
There are a few witty visual gags (the way Patsy ingests aspirin on the morning after a bender, for example) and funny callbacks to long running jokes (like the one about Patsy being transgender or the fact that Edina’s most famous client is British singer Lulu).
Undoubtedly, fans will still enjoy seeing Edina and Patsy wreak havoc on their livers once again, but like “Sex and the City,” “Absolutely Fabulous works best in small bites.
Too much of the movie feels padded, including Chris Colfer’s irritating appearance as a hairdresser and Rebel Wilson’s ultimately pointless turn as a flight attendant.