Absolutely Fabulous : The Movie

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS : THE MOVIE

Director : Mandie Fletcher

Year : 2016

Genre : Comedy

Rating : ***

 

After nearly 25 years of high-heeled hilarity and vodka-fuelled vulgarity, wannabe fashionistas Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone are finally given the big screen treatment in Mandie Fletcher's long-awaited TV spin-off 'Absolutely Fabulous : The Movie', a somewhat bloated yet undeniably entertaining Britcom that may not quite reach the comedic heights of 'Alan Partridge : Alpha Papa' or the postmodern weirdness of the sorely under-appreciated 'The League Of Gentlemen's Apocalypse' but still manages to chalk up the laughs thanks to the undeniable comedic genius of it's two leading ladies. After accidentally shoving supermodel Kate Moss into the Thames at a swanky London fashion extravaganza, Jennifer Saunders' PR agent Eddy finds herself on the run in the French Riviera with Joanna Lumley's botox-riddled Patsy. Armed with their not-so classic looks and Eddy's Granddaughter's credit card, the two decadent dames hatch a devious plan to finally live the glitz and glamour lifestyle they have always been hoping for.  

While much of the cast from the original TV show including June Whitfield, Julia Sawalha and Jane Horrocks all make casual yet welcome appearances, it is the impressive line-up of cameos that make 'Absolutely Fabulous : The Movie' such a star-studded watch. Many famous (and not so famous) faces from the worlds of film, television and, of course, fashion pop up throughout the course of the film and while I must admit that some unexpected personalities did indeed make me chuckle (former 'Newsnight' presenter Jeremy Paxman uncharacteristically provides the movies biggest laugh), far more of them, most notably those from the fashion world, were ultimately pointless and decidedly lacking in comedic worth. Much like it's sozzled central characters, 'Absolutely Fabulous : The Movie' is far more obsessed with celebrity and vacuous fame rather than substance or proper motivation.

But while the likes of Stella McCartney, Emma Bunton and the aforementioned Moss fail to raise even a giggle during their fleeting walk-ons, stars Jennifer Saunders and especially Joanna Lumley keep the laughs and coming thick and fast. As ever, Saunders is simply delightful as the forever-oblivious Eddy whose anarchic dress sense is almost as mad as her 5-year-old-trapped-in-a-middled-aged-woman's-mind persona. But as was also the case with the TV show, it is Lumley's sour faced, chain smoking, coke-addled, Chanel no.5 swigging Patsy who undoubtedly steals the spotlight. Yes, it may not be as fabulous as the title would profess. Yes, it may not be as consistently funny as the series it originates from and yes, it's running time is as painfully stretched as a botched face-lift. However, for all of it's cameo-cramming craziness, 'Absolutely Fabulous : The Movie' is a diamond encrusted, leopard printed bottle of vintage champagne that is sure to lighten the collective mood during these miserable post-referendum/post Euro 2016 days.