Jeri Jacquin
The hilarious minds of Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone are
at it again along with Warner Bros. for another chance at being LIFE OF THE
PARTY.
Deanna (Melissa McCarthy) and husband Dan (Matt Walsh) are
dropping off daughter Maddie (Molly Gordon) for her final year at college.
Excited about their upcoming trip to Italy
Deanna is thrown to learn that he has been having a fling
with a real estate agent named Marci (Julie Bowen). Going to her own parents,
Sandi (Jackie Weaver) and Mike (Stephen Root), they argue sandwiches and not
finishing college. That’s when Deanna makes a decision that needs one other
persons input – daughter Maddie.
Deanna announces that she is going back to school to finish
the last year and get her degree in archeology. Maddie is happy but uneasy
about sharing the college life with her mother. Thrilled for her is bestie
Christine (Maya Rudolph) and Maddie’s friends Amanda (Adria Arjona), Debbie
(Jessie Ennis) and Helen (Gillian Jacobs).
Moving into the dorm, roommate Leonor (Heidi Gardner) is a
little Goth and a little sunshine deprived. Immediately, Maddie and the girls
decide that Deanna needs to experience a college party. After a quick change of
appearance she meets Jack (Luke Benward) and wakes to the morning walk of
shame.
Quickly Deanna gets into the groove of studying, being part
of the girls’ lives and occasionally meeting up with Jack. Keeping Christine
informed of her antics, she learns that ex-hubby Dan is already making plans to
get remarried. Leave it to the girls to make sure that she doesn’t spend that
day alone but after a few party favors they take their act on the reception
road.
That sets into motion the news that Deanna doesn’t have the
money to finish college. Of course needing a reason to have a party in college
isn’t a required but this might be the exception!
McCarthy as Deanna is sweet, charming, motherly and a tad
embarrassing but don’t let that fool you when it comes to being protective. She
has her ways of making sure that no one changes who she wants to be so don’t
let the curls fool you. McCarthy delivers comedy that is so relatable and, in
fact, the character of Deanna is someone we all know. Well, maybe not the tacky
sweaters but the situation of loving being a wife and mother until you realize
one of those wasn’t real. McCarthy is a gal I’d love to hang out with. Plan to
laugh at the movie – A LOT!
Rudolph as Christine is the best partner-in-crime to have
and will take a body shot while still loving you. Living a tad vicariously
through Deanna, Christine doesn’t have it so bad at home. I mean any husband
who gets hot about his middle aged wife in ankle socks doesn’t have much to
complain about in life. Rudolph is funny and another chick I’d love to hang out
with.
Gordon as Maddie isn’t completely thrilled to discover Mom
is going to share her final year of college. Once seeing her friends are on
board with it, Maddie knows Mom isn’t trying to take anything from her. Jacobs
as Helen is a big disturbing and completely hilarious. Ennis as Debbie and
Arjona as Amanda completely love having Deanna around. Benward as Jack loves
having Deanna around for completely different reasons!
Walsh as Dan is a dude who is literally being led around by
his – ummm – earring. Bowen as Marci is a woman who demands control of every
aspect of her life and her soon-to-be-husbands as well. Jones as Christine’s
husband Frank goes along to get along!
Other cast includes Sarah Baker as Gildred, Nax Faxon as
Lance, Shannon Purser as Connie, Chris Parnell as Mr. Truzack, Debbie Ryan as
Jennifer, Jimmy O. Yang as Tyler
LIFE OF THE PARTY is completely hysterical, full of
surprises and loaded with charm and oh so much fun. I would expect nothing less
from McCarthy and Falcone who seem to just embrace the silliness of life. The
cast is just perfect lending their own unique characters to a loaded film of
funny. This film is perfect for the Mother’s Day weekend coming up because,
well, we love our Mom’s.
This is a wonderful way to celebrate the day with a bunch of
flowers, brunch and then off to the movies to spend quality time having a few
giggles together. I have a sneaking suspicion I’m going to have to see the film
again because there were times I was laughing so hard I missed a line or two.
LIFE OF THE PARTY is a film I absolutely won’t mind seeing again and again.
In the end – give life the old college try!
