Delayed Reaction: Girls Trip

The Pitch: White dudes aren't the only ones who can do a raunchy comedy.

Four lifelong friends take a trip to New Orleans and, uh, sin happens.

Ooooh. I get it now. That's why Tiffany Haddish went from unknown to hosting SNL in a matter of a couple months. Before Girl's Trip, you only knew her if you were one of the 11 people who watched The Carmichael Show*. Girl's Trip was a star turn on the level of Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover). Well, maybe not that magnitude. We are still in the crest of that first wave of stardom. We need to see her carry another movie now.

*For the record, I did pick up The Carmichael Show shortly before Girl's Trip, but not early enough to count myself among the early adopters appreciating that terrific show.

Regardless, Haddish became a star and it's easy to see why. Even despite so much warning, I wasn't ready for the grapefruit scene. That was...a lot. Beyond that, she stole every scene she was in. My eyes went to her immediately. It makes sense too. She was doing a lot of heavy lifting in the movie. Regina Hall can absolutely let loose in a comedy, but she's the straight woman for much of this. Queen Latifah has a history in comedy, but she hasn't flexed those muscles in a while (Bringing Down the House was a long time ago). Jada Pinkett-Smith has never been much for comedies. She tries and does well in Girl's Trip. Only Tiffany Haddish is in her comedy prime right now though.

Girl's Trip is a good comedy. It exists in that realm where, with the right audience or a slightly different funny bone, I could see someone calling it great. It goes for some huge laughs. I'm sad I couldn't see some of those play out watching with a group of people. Like most comedies, it drags at the end as the jokes disappear so they can fit some plot in. It would've been nice for Haddish to have someone to play with. Regina Hall felt muzzled to a degree. I'm more than willing to see what a Girl's Trip 2 looks like.

Verdict (?): Weakly Recommend