ReelBob: ‘Life of the Party’ ★★½
By Bob Bloom
Over the past few decades, a fair share of movies has followed the trajectory of an older woman who, in her younger years, was either a success or on-track to a prominent career, only to be sidetracked by falling in love, marriage and children.
What many of these stories also have in common is a woman betrayed — typically through a cheating, unfaithful husband. After hitting bottom, the woman rises, regaining her self-worth and becoming a success in her chosen field or profession.
Joining that list of movies is “Life of the Party,” written by Melissa McCarthy and her husband, Ben Falcone, starring McCarthy and directed by Falcone.
In this comedy, McCarthy’s Deanna is dumped by her husband of 20-plus years the day they drop their daughter, Maddie (Molly Gordon), off at Decatur University for her senior year.
Deanna, of course, is shattered, but after a short period of mourning, she decides to go back to Decatur for her own senior year to finally earn a degree in archaeology, which was her plan before getting married and giving birth.
As you’d expect, Maddie is not thrilled to see her mom on campus, dropping in at her sorority house and visiting with her friends.
“Life of the Party” is an entertaining, though formulaic, effort that, despite all the clichés it throws at you, continues to draw you in.
As Deanna, nicknamed Dee-Rock by Maddie’s sorority-sister friends, plunges headlong into campus life — including beer parties and hooking up with a much younger guy (more about him later).
Maddie eventually embraces her mother’s new life, especially after seeing the positive impact college is having on her mom. Also, Maddie is proud how her mom’s advice and life experiences are helping her friends.
The movie has some downsides — the two mean girls who constantly degrade and insult Deanna are simple, one-dimensional stereotypes, as is the real-estate woman for whom Deanna’s husband, Dan (a very bland Matt Walsh), left her.
And to be honest, it is difficult to even see what Julie Bowen’s Marcia sees in the schmuck.
Nearly stealing the movie is Maya Rudolph as Christine, Deanna’s best friend. Her quips and one-liners are hilarious, and a sequence in a restaurant in which Deanna and Marcia realize their connection to Deanna’s new squeeze will have you laughing until you wheeze. It is worth seeing the movie simply for those few moments.
McCarthy is wonderful, whether talking too much and embarrassing Maddie or performing physical comedy. Some of her schtick may seem familiar, but McCarthy knows in this film when enough is enough.
Oh, that link between Deanna and her ex’s new squeeze? I won’t spoil it, but it is worth seeing the movie simply for those few moments
In its own convoluted way, “Life of the Party” is a movie about female empowerment. The message is sometimes lost beneath all the laughs and noise, but it’s there.
“Life of the Party,” though uneven in spots, is a delight. It may stretch your credulity, but it will keep you laughing.
One message it conveys is that all movies about women rising up and finding their own voices don’t always have to be serious.
I am a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
LIFE OF THE PARTY
2½ stars out of 4
(PG-13), sexual situations, drug content, partying