Melissa McCarthy is a comedy force, and has been since her breakthrough role in BRIDESMAIDS. With follow-ups such as THE HEAT, SPY, and a killer Sean Spicer impression on Saturday Night Live, she is no stranger to the limelight at this point. She and her husband Ben Falcone now own a production company, and he has begun to direct some of their films with LIFE OF THE PARTY being the junior release to TAMMY and THE BOSS. Unfortunately, LIFE OF THE PARTY follows in quality closer to their self-produced releases than any of Melissa’s best work.
McCarthy’s character is the new comedy is banal and even lacks any cultural zeitgeist to attach itself to for an actual theme. Following cliches of a fish out of water isn’t necessarily bad, but the film doesn’t add any punch to keep it interesting. When the characters, story and jokes follow the formula to a tee, there isn’t any room for emotional attachment or interesting deviation. When the newly divorced Deanna (Melissa McCarthy) a 40-something mom with a heart of gold is forced to confront where her life is headed now, she decides to return to college to get the degree she passed up to raise her daughter Maddie (Molly Gordon) …who happens to be at the same college she is returning to. Maddie’s understandable horror at her mom invading her college life quickly disappears, as Deanna’s pure delight begins to teach the young sorority sisters self-respect and autonomy.
McCarthy still has her physical slapstick chops, but they wear thin without variation. She is her regular charming self, and comedy fans will enjoy the gaggle of guest stars in Matt Walsh, Gillian Jacobs, and more. Jacobs has a fun time playing a character who spent 8 years in a coma, adding some silliness to the character. Heidi Gardner kills it as Deanna’s creepy roommate, but these side characters do not redeem the entire film. Maya Rudolph playing Deanna’s foul-mouthed BFF doesn’t get many laughs. In the end, the script is bare bones, and the film lacks focus. More quick-witted jokes are needed to truly make LIFE OF THE PARTY work, and a stronger formal ending are needed to make a statement, rather than just be generally feel good fare.
