Regina Hall | Fast Lane Film

When I saw the trailer for Girls Trip, I’ll admit, I cringed. I’m not a prude, and I liked the fact that the trailer was basically X-Rated. But when Tiffany Haddish told Jada Pinkett that “you can’t get an infection in your bootyhoole,” that was beyond the pale for me. Nevertheless, I reasoned that if I saw Scarlett Johansson’s craptastic, similarly trite Rough Night, I could support my sisters and see Girls Trip. I told my gals if they wanted to see it, I’d go along. I’m glad I loosened up a bit, because Girls Trip was a cute, heartwarming movie. What it lacked in originality it made up for in the charm, wit and realism of its ensemble cast – particularly the aforementioned Haddish.

Ryan (Regina Hall, When the Bough Breaks), Sasha (Queen Latifah, Ice Age: Collision Course), Lisa (Jada Pinkett Smith, Bad Moms) and Dina (Tiffany Haddish, Keanu) are the “Flossy Posse,” a ride-or-die group of friends who formed their clique in college. Understandably, the friendship has waxed and waned over the years, the old gang intermittently marking milestones while coping with emotional slights and rifts along the way. Through divorce, the joy of motherhood, and all the major ups and downs of life, the Flossy Posse has been there for each other. When Ryan, a successful author and empowerment guru has a chance to secure a lucrative new opportunity in New Orleans, she invites her crew to tag along for a girls trip, just like old times. She and husband Stewart (Mike Colter, Luke Cage) are poised to ink a new deal to expand their self-help empire, but their marriage may be showing cracks in its shiny veneer.

The girls are true to form, reliving their glory days and vowing to get “turnt” for the entire weekend, which is set against the backdrop of the annual Essence Music Festival. Lisa is a cougar on the prowl, catching the eye of a handsome young stranger (Kofi Siriboe, Queen Sugar). Ryan is trying to keep up appearances with Stewart, Sasha is fretting over her next scoop for her gossip blog, and Dina is just trying to party. The girls predictably have an assortment of misadventures, including a dance battle, a near brawl, and an absinthe-laced trip. All of these plot points have been done before, but what makes Girls Trip special is its heart. At the risk of sounding corny, this movie just felt real. It didn’t matter that the concept wasn’t original, because these are what my friends look and sound like. Some of the gags were rather gross, but to each her own.

Girls Trip opened against Dunkirk, and it’s the second movie of its type this summer. Despite these odds, it has fared well due in large part to the scene-stealing Tiffany Haddish. It took me a while to embrace her brand of humor, but she’s just adorable. The camaraderie and chemistry amongst the cast infused the movie with warmth and realness, and its authenticity makes it a hit with audiences. Girls Trip perfectly captured the spirit of friendship, and it’s a must-see for you and your homegirls.

Grade: B+

I’ve always enjoyed ensemble movies. They’re entertaining and usually characterized by good chemistry amongst the cast, as well as layered performances. Fourteen years ago viewers were introduced to a group of college friends who were reuniting for a wedding in The Best Man. Lance (Morris Chestnut, Kick-Ass 2) and Mia (Monica Calhoun, Love & Basketball) were college sweethearts tying the knot after a fulfilling but trying relationship that tested Lance’s fidelity. The titular best man was Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs, Between Us), best friend of Lance and good friend to the couple. In the days leading up to the wedding, friendships were tested, but love prevailed.

Fast-forward to the present day, and the friends have experienced a large measure of success. Jordan (Nia Long, Mooz-Lum) has become an even more powerful television producer, though she is still unmarried. Harper and Robin (Sanaa Lathan, Contagion) have married and both have enjoyed success as a best-selling author and chef, respectively. Julian (Harold Perrineau, Snitch) and Candace (Regina Hall, Think Like a Man) are married with children and have opened a charter school for children. Shelby (Melissa De Sousa, Miss Congeniality) is hilarious as one of those fame-hungry “Real Housewives” that the Bravo network has made famous, and Quentin (Terrence Howard, Prisoners) has also made his mark in the entertainment industry, irreverently charming as ever. Once again, Lance and Mia are requesting the honor of everyone’s presence. This time they are inviting everyone and their families for a holiday weekend of fun at their New York estate.

In a group of friends, you will find all sorts of emotional dynamics at play. Usually at least one person will have entertained a romantic or lustful thought about another friend. In the movie, Jordan and Harper have a history, and Harper and Mia have a history. There are residual emotions that have lain dormant over the years, including envy and guilt. Secrets abound, as everyone isn’t quite as successful as they appear to be. Harper’s last novel flopped, and he’s suffering from writer’s block. Julian’s school is in financial trouble, and Jordan seems like a commitment phobe destined for a life of solitude with her blackberry, despite having a handsome boyfriend (Eddie Cibrian, Good Deeds). Most significantly, Lance hasn’t truly forgiven Harper for old transgressions. He and Mia seem to be hiding something, even though by outward appearances they have it all. When the gang is reunited, old insecurities (and drama) resurface.

Although I’ve mentioned the original film, I don’t think it is a necessary prerequisite for viewing the sequel. Director Malcolm Lee masterfully referenced the original movie in the opening credits, neatly updating the audience on all that has transpired since 1999. Brief but pertinent flashbacks to The Best Man created the perfect opening scene, from both a functional and artistic perspective.

The performances were solid, with Taye Diggs turning in the most impressive effort, in my opinion. In the original movie, Terrence Howard stole the show and has subsequently had the most commercial and critical success, but here it was Diggs whose performance touched me most. The storyline called for some emotionally draining subject matter, and the movie takes a melodramatic turn in its third act. I liked the weightiness and relevance of the storyline, but it did get a little corny towards the end. I’m really only thinking of one scene in particular, but in the grand scheme of things I don’t think it detracted from the movie.

I hate to sound like a cliché, but I laughed and I cried. I was entertained throughout, and I thought Lee recaptured much of what made the first movie so enjoyable. The characters had distinct, relatable personalities that were clearly drawn and familiar. The cast enjoyed a chemistry with one another that made viewers feel like they were catching up with old friends themselves. While I don’t expect The Best Man Holiday to unseat Thor as the #1 movie in America, I know that most who saw it found it immensely entertaining. I was looking forward to this one, and I wasn’t disappointed one bit. Grade: B+

This article first appeared at Poptimal and was reprinted with permission.