“Jon Lucas and Scott Moore’s Spa Weekend sticks to the tried-and-tested formula, but still delivers an often hilarious movie for the girls.”
As we come to the final weeks of the summer blockbuster season, movie companies are releasing their content that should easily make money. However, these releases can’t compete with the big guns. That said, some of those big movies we expected to blow the box office apart have fizzled. Perhaps Spa Weekend could have been released earlier than its August release slot. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore’s comedy could easily have taken the box office cash as an alternative. This holds particularly true when you take into account what we experienced between May and July. Starring Isla Fisher, Leslie Mann, Anna Faris, and Michelle Buteau, the film is one the women will lap up in droves. But can the film be a refreshing and hilarious break? Or should it have stayed at home?
THE PREMISE
Four lifelong friends realize that somewhere between careers, relationships, families, and everyday responsibilities, they’ve forgotten how to take care of themselves and each other. Burned out and overdue for a break, the women escape to a luxury spa retreat for an unforgettable weekend dedicated to fun, laughter, and a lot of really bad decisions.
THOUGHTS
The film is an often hilarious movie that the women in the audience will have a great time with. Having the four female actresses lead the film, leaving most of the male cast in the dust, is a refreshing sight. There are cutting quips, laugh-out-loud moments, completely outlandish antics, and the obligatory happy and moving ending. All these elements make the film a winner. The only problem with the film is that it sticks to a tried-and-tested formula. This formula takes away a fair bit of its charm. We know by the quarter point that it will end with a realization from three of the women. They see that the fourth (the one no one secretly likes) is the one they need in their lives. Despite their antics and craziness, they need her just as much as she needs them.
That one friend comes in the form of Isla Fisher as Mel. Loud, brash, reckless, and almost insane, she is the polar opposite of Leslie Mann as Jane, Michelle Buteau as Coco, and Anna Faris as Sophie. But it is she who brings the fun, the unexpected, and the problems to their respective doors. The highlight of this is a surprise party she throws for Jane’s birthday that includes strippers, loud music, copious amounts of alcohol, and cocaine (hey, doesn’t every movie party?). The police raid the party, and the four women are arrested and thrown into jail. It’s in this moment that the truth surfaces as the other three women confess they really don’t like Mel.
THE ACTRESSES
The four actresses are superb in their roles. Isla Fisher, even though she gets second billing, is the shining light out of them all. She delivers a heartfelt and hilarious performance as the unbalanced Mel. Leslie Mann, as the reserved Jane, a single mother and lawyer who has a full life that leaves her little time for romance, is also superb but is restrained for the most part here. It is she who gets to have the romantic subplot with a hunky Australian yoga instructor that goes exactly how you would expect. It is her birthday that leads to the spa weekend happening in the first place.
Michelle Buteau as Coco gets most of the best lines. Coco is sharing custody of her children with her ex-husband. He is dating an older woman, which affects Coco’s emotions to the extent that she is constantly verbally nasty to the woman and her ex-husband. Of course, thanks to Mel’s meddling, Coco ends up spending time with her ex, leading to a funny and emotional play fight in a mud bath.
Anna Faris, as Sophie, gets to almost reprise her role from the Scary Movie franchise. Sophie is the put-upon assistant to a demanding and unscrupulous boss who puts pressure on her for the silliest of reasons. Is a lightbulb out at his beach house? Blame Sophie and get her to fix it, even if she’s away at the spa for the weekend. Of course, Mel meddles in her life, causing her to be fired. But it also leads to Sophie growing a backbone and becoming a strong and opinionated woman.
WRITING AND DIRECTION
The film is written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Both do a decent job between them, but for some reason, it feels like it has nothing new to say. The formula is followed almost to the letter, despite some hilarious scenes and comedic lines that almost manage to make it rise above familiarity. The emotional tropes are all in effect here, making the film a fun but flawed comedy. However, the direction and use of the beautiful locations (the film was shot in Australia) are incredible. All color, bright and vibrant, shines through from start to finish, giving the film a glossy feel that sticks in the mind.
VERDICT
Jon Lucas and Scott Moore’s Spa Weekend sticks to the tried-and-tested formula, but still delivers an often hilarious movie for the girls. Actually, that’s not really fair. The women in the audience will have a whale of a time with the film, possibly feeling a kinship with the four female leads. The men may feel a bit out of place with the film, but they too will get a kick out of the proceedings. Instead of guns, explosions, and violence, they are in for comedy and female bonding, a crazy and hilarious golf cart chase sequence, and a lot of fun. It makes a change from the usual male-aimed fare that occupies the multiplexes on a regular basis.
At the end of the day, this is something that has a lot going for it, but falls into familiarity too soon. It is fun, light, colorful, and enjoyable. But anyone looking for something original is out of luck. The film sticks to familiar tropes we expect from this genre, delivering a fun and formulaic experience rather than something original and refreshing. However, don’t leave your seat when the end credits start, as the film contains alternative scenes and some great outtakes that elevate the film as it ends. Take a trip for a Spa Weekend you’ll never forget at your local cinema. It may not be original, but it is a fun and enjoyable stay nonetheless.
Spa Weekend is in cinemas from today, courtesy of Black Bear.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
