The Fabulous Four is a modern day, Golden Girls comedy-drama. Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, it blends humour and heart with a star-studded cast. Audiences will be treated to performances by Bette Midler (Lou), Susan Sarandon (Marilyn) and Megan Mullaly (Alice).
Set against the holiday destination of Key West, the movie follows four best friends who reunite for Lou’s wedding. It isn’t all sunshine and roses though. As the movie progresses, the broken friendship between Lou and Marilyn is gradually unveiled as tensions build.
The clash of sisterhood and ego are two themes that are familiar to Midler’s fans. The iconic Beaches was one to draw tears from the hardest of hearts. 36 years later, Midler still has her way of eliciting these emotions from her audience.
Sarandon’s performance will have you barracking for her character’s chance for happiness, romance and justice. Yet, you also feel frustrated with her stubbornness, seriousness and self-righteousness. However, as the plot thickens, so does the humour and our empathy for her character.
If not for her high pitch voice and similar ‘bad ass’ attitude of the iconic Karen from Will and Grace, Megan Mullaly would have been unrecognisable. I definitely saw Karen again, and her presence brought an extra quirk to the dynamics of the ensemble.
The movie is as wholesome as it is thought provoking. If you have loved and lost, consider this your trigger warning. This movie may cause you to reflect on friendships lost due to little grudges or misunderstandings. It will beg you to reconsider whether it was worth giving up or if communication, vulnerability and honesty would have saved it.