From Bad Moms directors Jon Lucas and Scott Moore comes Spa Weekend, a witty and outrageous female-led comedy with surprising emotional depth.
The film follows Jane (Leslie Mann), Sophie (Anna Faris), Coco (Michelle Buteau) and Mel (Isla Fisher), four women who have been friends since middle school despite having completely different personalities. Each is facing her own struggles, but they all need the same thing: an escape from the responsibilities and frustrations of everyday life, or, an escape from a particular friend.
Jane is intelligent, level-headed and rarely allows herself to let loose. Sophie is an anxious people pleaser who often puts everyone else’s feelings before her own. Coco is the group’s dominant personality, speaking her mind with a bluntness that can either help or hurt the situation. Mel, meanwhile, is carefree, impulsive and deeply irresponsible—the kind of friend who can transform a quiet weekend into complete chaos.
As the weekend unfolds, their relaxing getaway quickly gets out of control. Between meeting new people, clashing with management, and nearly destroying the spa, the women face one ridiculous situation after another while attempting to navigate both the chaos surrounding them and the unresolved tensions within their friendship. While still having fun, of course.
The performances are remarkably natural, often making it feel as though the actresses are having real conversations rather than reciting memorized dialogue. The bloopers shown during the end credits suggest that some improvisation took place, which may explain the spontaneous, genuinely human quality of their interactions. Leslie Mann, Anna Faris, Michelle Buteau and Isla Fisher appear completely comfortable together, making their shared history believable.
Every actress brings a distinct comedic style to the film, delivering witty remarks, physical comedy and some wonderfully ridiculous moments. One memorable line comes from Jane, who jokes, “The last time I had a massage, it was like my mammogram.” The predominantly female cast and the involvement of women behind the scenes also challenge the tired stereotype that women cannot be outrageous, unserious or genuinely funny. The film would not work nearly as well without all four leads contributing their individual energy.
Its beachy, upbeat, bubbly and funky soundtrack adds to the fun, perfectly complementing the luxurious setting and the group’s unpredictable personalities.
Spa Weekend is a hilarious escape and a welcome reminder that lighthearted comedies are still being made. Beneath the wild behavior and escalating destruction is a sincere story about the complications of female friendship—and the people who will still have your back during your worst moments. ~Chidera Arimah
4 out of 5 stars.
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