Four accomplished and stunning female actors portray a group of friends who embark on a bachelorette trip to Italy in a film that proves to be a dull and pointless waste of their and our time.
It’s safe to assume that the actors probably had more fun hanging out in between takes than any viewer would have watching the movie. The characters’ visit to Italy’s stunning ancient Roman statues is reduced to middle school-level humor, which is a disservice to the classic works of art and the women portraying the characters.
The male characters in the film all have the same one-dimensional trait: they adore their partners unconditionally and have no interests, wishes, or obligations outside of being a “Perfect Boyfriend.” The movie is essentially a dumbed-down, glitzy version of “Golden Girls.”
Jane Fonda portrays the free-spirited, sex-positive hotel executive Samantha, I mean Vivian, while her “Perfect Boyfriend” is played by Don Johnson. Candice Bergen portrays a retired judge, and Diane Keaton plays the dithery persona that she’s known for, complete with wide belts, crinolines, and polka dots. Her “Perfect Boyfriend” is played by Andy Garcia, who she met in the previous movie. Lastly, Mary Steenburgen plays Carol, a happily married woman to Bruce (Craig T. Nelson), who is recovering from a heart attack, causing her to be overprotective.
The film attempts to make light of the pandemic by showing Zoom calls with people struggling with the mute button and filters, along with pandemic-era activities such as getting a new pet and a new musical instrument. However, these attempts fall flat and fail to amuse the audience. Unlike the previous film where the women read “50 Shades of Grey,” this time, they all read Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist,” and instead of jokes about bondage, there are references to destiny.
Viv’s “Perfect Boyfriend” proposes to her spontaneously, and despite never wanting to get married, she agrees to marry him. The friends decide to take a trip to Italy to celebrate her engagement. While in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, surrounded by legendary historic art and architecture, they get up to silly hijinks that could have easily happened back home. They are even thrown in jail multiple times, which the movie expects the audience to find amusing.
The film fails the Bechdel test since the characters have almost nothing to talk about except for their love for each other and men. There are a few jokes about aging, and the only scene that could be considered humorous is a montage where they try on bridal gowns. The movie includes comments about “life is what you make it,” a farewell to a late husband, and a last-minute switch that makes no sense.
In conclusion, the movie is a disappointing and pointless watch. It does not offer any significant plot or character development, and the humor falls flat.