The Fabulous Four

Never to be confused with the similarly monickered Marvel's First Family of superheroes, this is more flame out than Flame On as it's another Book Club/80 For Brady type movie where a quartet of (comedic) actresses of a certain age are assembled for what their (usually younger) screenwriters consider as a bit of age inappropriate hi-jinks and light “dramedy”. In this case, it mainly involves (unsuccessfully) finding laughs in old people doing Tik Toks or coping with technology; and that old chestnut: getting high, accidentally or otherwise, on edibles. In a kinda lame geriatric re-harsh of Bridesmaid, Bette Midler's recently widowed Marilyn persuaded her best friend Megan Mullally's rock-chick Alice and Sheryl Lee Ralph pot-farmer Kitty to bring Susan Sarandon's estranged workaholic doctor, Lou, to her wedding in Key West where, inevitably, the feud that caused that decades-long rift has to be confronted. Patchy, unfunny, formulaic and shoddily written, Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly's screenplay is a waste of everyone's time, especially that of the four fabulously talented Oscar and Emmy awards-winning actresses who deserve so much better. Here looking mostly embarrassed, they sleepwalk into their roles, except for the odd tender moments when Midler or Sarandon are given a chance to do some acting. Jocelyn Moorhouse's direction is pedestrian bordering on hack-eyed, while that parasailing scene looks criminally like an SNL sketch. For a card-carrying fan of Midler who also loved Will & Grace and Abbott Elementary, this is simply painful to watch and Amazon Prime has proven itself once again to be the dumping ground where these C-movies go to die. While at least they didn't waste the chance to bring the two disco divas together for a duet in the finale (almost justifying that one star), this unholy mess is sadly the furthest thing away from fabulous.

Waste of talent, corny and not funny really

Nice to see the ladies together but the script ! Rubbish written by an amateur screenwriter and directed just as bad! The star are for the ladies ! A painful watch!

People are really harsh rating this movie. I really enjoyed it. It has such a great cast. I love watching Bette Midler. These characters were uniquely themselves. It’s not a glorious award winning movie, but it was entertaining; I laughed and it made me smile. It was a down to earth movie about friendship, reconnecting, just having fun with your friends, and it touched on loneliness- needing people and to feel that you matter to someone.

This was a contrived and often not funny comedy. I did not believe Susan Sarandon was the authentic character in the movie. It seemed like she was just saying her lines. The premise seemed like such a great movie, but it is a real flop to watch. Sad.

undetacted... paycheck?

Four legendary actresses, but the script was poorly done. A shame because the concept had so much potential. I'm still trying to figure out this storyline where Sheryl Lee Ralph's daughter is in a religious cult? That seems like a fairly dark, serious thing to talk about only to leave it without any kind of fleshing out or resolution.

all stars i used to like but SO overdramatic and the opposite of funny-i'm only 5 min. in but changing the channel

We all loved this movie! Each of the stars have their own scenes and storylines where they are allowed to shine without seeming like they are trying to take away from anyone else’s shining moments! And any chance to see this amazing group… especially our beloved and little scene on the silver screen Queen, Bette Midler!! Funny, heartfelt and a story that’s a delight to follow! What a treat!

I was really looking forward to seeing this one. I must say now it's one I wish I could go back and un-see. The ladies should have said no to this B rated movie. Bette, has always been a force, but the mark was missed on this one. Susan simply looks tired and they both should also realize that at almost 80 you, don't want to go out with a desperate attempt, go out with a great movie with roles like the leading ladies you are.