Earlier this summer, audiences endured the ill-fated “Summer Camp,” another attempt by Diane Keaton, joined by Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard, to blend comedy and later-in-life drama in an older female bonding film. Keaton had seen success in 2018’s “Book Club,” which smartly featured four veteran actresses, including Jane Fonda, and even led to a sequel set in Italy. Fonda also found success with “80 For Brady,” co-starring Sally Field, Rita Moreno, and Lily Tomlin. Naturally, it seemed fitting for other beloved veteran actresses to join this effort to challenge Hollywood’s youth-centric focus and cater to aging boomers.
“The Fabulous Four,” the latest entry in this formula, fortunately fares better than “Summer Camp,” which disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. These films, aimed at the AARP demographic, depend heavily on the chemistry of the cast. “The Fabulous Four” delivers in this aspect, with Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, and Sheryl Lee Ralph attempting to elevate the material. The film benefits from the direction of talented Australian filmmaker Jocelyn Moorhouse, known for “The Dressmaker,” “How to Make an American Quilt,” and “Muriel’s Wedding.” The story revolves around another set of nuptials, this time for Midler’s character, Marilyn.
Marilyn, an impulsive narcissist and TikTok enthusiast, decides to remarry after losing her husband of 48 years. She invites her old friends to Key West to be her bridesmaids. The group includes Kitty (Ralph), whose daughter wants her to move into a retirement home, and Alice (Mullally), an eternal flirt and singer. They convince Lou (Sarandon), a successful single surgeon and cat lover, to join them, despite her estrangement from Marilyn over a past romantic betrayal.
To lure Lou, they fabricate a story about her winning a rare six-toed cat from the Hemingway House, requiring her presence to claim the prize. Lou, a Hemingway fan, falls for the ruse and heads to Florida, where she soon discovers the real reason for the invitation. Despite the deception, she tries to make the best of it while the others engage in antics like a chaotic parasailing adventure and a visit to a male strip club.
The film also explores romance, with Lou encountering Ted (Bruce Greenwood) and boat captain Ernie (Timothy V. Murphy). Complications arise, culminating in a dramatic confrontation between Marilyn and Lou. Sarandon’s restrained performance contrasts with Midler’s over-the-top portrayal, adding to the film’s dynamic. Mullally and Ralph deliver strong performances, while Greenwood serves as a convincing love interest.
The screenplay by Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly provides a solid foundation for the cast, who manage to rise above the material when necessary. The film concludes with a lively dance number, fittingly closing this comedic tale. Producers Richard Barton Lewis and Lauren Hantz, along with 31 executive producers, including the stars, demonstrate the effort required to bring this project to fruition.
“The Fabulous Four” is distributed by Bleecker Street and set for release on July 26, 2024. Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse and written by Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly, the film stars Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Bruce Greenwood, Timothy V. Murphy, Michael Bolton, Sophie von Haselberg, Brandee Evans, Kadan Well Bennett, Renika Williams, David Goren, and Abigail Dolan. It has an R rating and a running time of 1 hour and 39 minutes.
