This cast is incredible
In advance of the release of Spa Weekend in theaters this week, I sat down with the film’s stars, Michelle Buteau, Leslie Mann, Anna Faris and Isla Fisher, for an exclusive interview. During our chat, Faris told me, “I was so grateful to be on this job for so many reasons. And having this new female friendship—I’ve always felt like it’s been tough for me to make friends…whatever, I won’t go into my little victimhood sob story, but maybe I will! But I didn’t take it for granted at all. I was so grateful to be there working and getting to watch, getting to act with these women. Just a thrill.”
This close-knit bond among these leading ladies was super apparent throughout the interview (at times I felt like a casual observer getting to see four famous comedians hang out)—but it’s also what made Spa Weekend such an enjoyable watch. Here, my honest review of the fabulous new comedy.
The breezy and fun film follows three BFFs who decide to escape their problems (a horrible boss, a grinding career, a contentious relationship with an ex) with a weekend spa getaway. But when the fourth member of their friend group—a wild, loose cannon named Mel (Fisher)—shows up unexpectedly, things take a very funny, raunchy and messy turn.
The film felt like Girls Trip, but with more mud baths and sexy yoga instructors. Each of the scenes is set up perfectly to bring the laughs (a quiet group meditation featuring an impossible-to-stay quiet Mel, a mud bath room accidentally double-booked with an ex, a runaway golf cart). And these women are comedy pros who absolutely know how to deliver said laughs. Spa Weekend is so enjoyable because it doesn’t take itself too seriously and leans hard into the comedy tropes that we love in films like Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect and the aforementioned Girls Trip.
As I said, the bond between the characters—and the actresses themselves—is apparent throughout the movie. Even though Mel’s kookiness initially keeps her from an invite, the love these women have for one another quickly overcomes any embarrassment Mel might cause. The movie is a slapstick comedy to be sure, but it soars because at heart, it’s a film about women supporting women; about strong women who are there for each other when it’s hard and, at times, inconvenient. The personal growth each of the characters experiences is just icing on the cake.
If you’re looking for an easy watch with quite a few laugh-out-loud moments, Spa Weekend is a new favorite of mine—and it’s now playing in theaters everywhere.
