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2

IttiacesMay 13, 2018

Ben Falcone directs and co-writes 'Life of the Party' alongside his partner Melissa Mccarthy who stars as a naive housewife suddenly dumped by her husband for a newer model in the form of actress Julie Bowen. McCarthy decides the only remedyBen Falcone directs and co-writes 'Life of the Party' alongside his partner Melissa Mccarthy who stars as a naive housewife suddenly dumped by her husband for a newer model in the form of actress Julie Bowen. McCarthy decides the only remedy for her unfortunate situation is to return to college with her daughter and finish the degree she initially sacrificed to support her family. Melissa McCarthy is a very gifted comedic actress, and I've been a fan for many years now. This movie, unfortunately, does her no favours whatsoever. It is absolutely dire from beginning to end, and I say that with a great degree of sadness and reluctance. It's over the top, saccharin sweet, unoriginal with every cliche in the book shoved down the audience's throat in a vain attempt at garnering some humour. The story seems like a slightly reworked version of the 80's film "Back to School" with Rodney Dangerfield which was a lot funnier. Some of the scenes looked like McCarthy adlibbing to save her life, and the camera kept rolling to capture anything remotely interesting. The acting from the younger actresses was quite wooden and seemed forced at times. Julie Bowen is wonderful in Modern Family but was so awful in this I felt utterly embarrassed for her. Perhaps it was the editing or directing, but her role was cringeworthy. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone but the hardcore McCarthy fans who could basically watch her doing her laundry and be satisfied. I'm truly sorry to say, it's pure drivel, and as one of the best female comedians out there she deserves a better vehicle for her talents.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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5

tropicAcesMay 13, 2018

By default, this is the best film of the Falcone-McCarthy series (TAMMY is still one of the worst comedies I’ve ever seen). It’s perfectly watchable, well-intentioned and has some heart. The issue is it isn’t very funny, and edited in a wayBy default, this is the best film of the Falcone-McCarthy series (TAMMY is still one of the worst comedies I’ve ever seen). It’s perfectly watchable, well-intentioned and has some heart. The issue is it isn’t very funny, and edited in a way that there’s no beat to allow the audience to laugh. Some members in my audience were dying throughout, others silent. This will be a “depends on your mood” film...… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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3

TVJerryMay 15, 2018

Melissa McCarthy keeps teaming up with hubby Ben Falcone as writer/director. Every time the movie's get more self-indulgent and bland. This time she plays a sweet middle-aged mom, who ends up back in college with her daughter. Of course, herMelissa McCarthy keeps teaming up with hubby Ben Falcone as writer/director. Every time the movie's get more self-indulgent and bland. This time she plays a sweet middle-aged mom, who ends up back in college with her daughter. Of course, her character's spunk charms the students (unrealistic), while her positive messages bring heart and hope (painful). McCarthy barrels thru every scene with her typical manic delivery, but it's seldom funny (and there's not much of the broad physical comedy that she does so well). The attempts at making the supporting characters interesting simply falls flat. If you're a middle-aged female McCarthy fan you might respond to the empowerment theme, but if you're looking for laffs…enroll somewhere else.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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3

Compi24May 16, 2018

Unfortunately for Ben Falcone -- director of films such as "Tammy" and "The Boss" -- the third time is most definitely not the charm in the case of this third collaboration between the director and his real life wife, Melissa McCarthy. "LifeUnfortunately for Ben Falcone -- director of films such as "Tammy" and "The Boss" -- the third time is most definitely not the charm in the case of this third collaboration between the director and his real life wife, Melissa McCarthy. "Life Of The Party" is a profoundly unentertaining, tired, and unfocused film that overstays its welcome in way too many ways. With all of the subjectivity of comedy films considered, this movie still just didn't do anything for me on a comedic level, with many of its already unfunny jokes being beaten into oblivion by improvisation and over-explanation. Even as a story, there's not necessarily anything at the center of things here. Is this about Melissa McCarthy and her daughter coming at odds with one another as they both happen to go to the same college? Maybe for the first fifteen minutes before the daughter's suddenly okay with it all too quickly. Is the movie about Melissa McCarthy struggling to keep herself afloat financially in the wake of her divorce? Kind of at the end, but only for about another ten minutes. Is this about her dealing with bullies making fun of her because she's old? Here and there. Stress from school? Two scenes tops. There's not a central conflict here. This has the plot of a bad indie comedy, the look and feel of a bad studio comedy. . .but without any successful comedy of any kind. Ugh.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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4

Meth-dudeJun 6, 2018

The movie is pretty much what you would expect. It's not funny, the acting is average at best, it's predictable and the characters are all very clichés. If you're looking for a fun, mindless, feel good party movie you may like it, if you'reThe movie is pretty much what you would expect. It's not funny, the acting is average at best, it's predictable and the characters are all very clichés. If you're looking for a fun, mindless, feel good party movie you may like it, if you're looking for an intelligent comedy, you're better off watching something else.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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3

AugustKellerJun 4, 2018

Life of the Party is the most painful film I have sat through in many years. It’s story lacks any focus or insight and it’s characters are maddeningly inconsistent. It’s direction is practically nonexistent as scenes are never sure of when toLife of the Party is the most painful film I have sat through in many years. It’s story lacks any focus or insight and it’s characters are maddeningly inconsistent. It’s direction is practically nonexistent as scenes are never sure of when to end or what they are culminating to. While Maya Rudolph and others are sometimes refreshing, much of this cast provided limited performances. All around, Life of the Party feels like a mess slapped together by people who couldn’t be bothered with ideas of craft.

Melissa McCarthy does provide good energy with her positive confidence but it is not enough to carry such a half-baked project. Improvisation can be a wonderful technique for comedy but when a film seems to have improvised its entire production, it comes across as unprofessional and lazy. Ideas, characters and plot points enter and exit this movie with such carelessness that everything ends up feelings like nothing. Sporadic funny moments are nice but do not offset how insulting this whole experience is. Life of the Party is a dump of a film and a waste of time.

Writing: 1/10
Direction: 1/10
Cinematography: 3/10
Acting: 3/10
Editing: 1/10
Sound: 5/10
Score/Soundtrack: 5/10
Production Design: 3/10
Casting: 3/10
Effects: 4/10

Overall Score: 2.9/10

Original Article: https://thefilmguys.blog/reviews/augusts-reviews/life-of-the-party-2018/… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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4

EludiumQ36Aug 7, 2018

This is a sophomoric cringe-worthy college comedy you've seen a dozen times before. Written and directed by Melissa McCarthy wife/husband team, so it's hardcoded to be adoring/favorable to Melissa. I'm a mature dude - not the demographic forThis is a sophomoric cringe-worthy college comedy you've seen a dozen times before. Written and directed by Melissa McCarthy wife/husband team, so it's hardcoded to be adoring/favorable to Melissa. I'm a mature dude - not the demographic for this "awkward mom/daughter at college together" gimmick. The niche demographic will prolly like/love it, but not the mainstream and that's why you see poor ratings. But I have to rate based on me, not others.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

JLuis_001Aug 22, 2018

Personally I don't find Melissa McCarthy really funny, especially because her comedy is based on exploiting the stereotype of the fat quirky woman and that's why I always find it frustrating to watch her films because I cannot make any kindPersonally I don't find Melissa McCarthy really funny, especially because her comedy is based on exploiting the stereotype of the fat quirky woman and that's why I always find it frustrating to watch her films because I cannot make any kind of connection with the material and obviously this film is another case in which she limits herself to doing the same thing that she has been doing in the last years.

They say that the worst crime of a comedy is when it can not make you laugh. Here is an excellent example.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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2

mattkerr494Jul 12, 2018

Lets just agree that Melissa McCarthy is a new female Adam Sandler and move on. The wholesome friends in this movie are the only thing that really stands out as potentially enjoyable, and even they encourage the obviously emotionally unstableLets just agree that Melissa McCarthy is a new female Adam Sandler and move on. The wholesome friends in this movie are the only thing that really stands out as potentially enjoyable, and even they encourage the obviously emotionally unstable main character into doing stupid things with horrible consequences. I'm sure I laughed at least a couple of times, but most of the "funny" moments just made me cringe.

Viewed 11/07/2018… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

hello123asdfJun 7, 2019

Almost everyone in my family agrees with this rating. It was bad. Not bad enough though

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

goncalocoutoOct 20, 2018

"Life of the Party" apresenta-nos momentos engraçados e uma reviravolta maluca que faz os espectadores gritarem.
7/10

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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7

ProteusMay 15, 2018

Melissa is a genius. If you don't believe me watch Identity Theft and look for the diner scene. Now, would you go see Einstein speak after he invented the Theory of Relativity? Yes you would. So go see this movie.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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7

survivorfan989Feb 26, 2019

Melissa McCarthy provides laughs, but its not one of her best and tends to miss the mark.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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7

AcaciaMay 13, 2018

I saw this with a bunch of ladies and we all really enjoyed it. A sweet look at being a mother, giving up your dreams and then finding them again after your jerk of a husband dumps you. Lots of fun along the way as McCarthy and her daughterI saw this with a bunch of ladies and we all really enjoyed it. A sweet look at being a mother, giving up your dreams and then finding them again after your jerk of a husband dumps you. Lots of fun along the way as McCarthy and her daughter become college Seniors together. Everybody learns a different truth from others. Many funny moments and one crazy twist that had the audience screaming. Very enjoyable without all the over the top silly/stupid/raunchy stuff that is often throughout McCarthy’s movies.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

dereksimpson123May 31, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I enjoyed the movie overall. Especially the accidental cannabis consumption from the Glaucoma recipient. The entourage with Christina Aguilera was particularly inspiring.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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10

HaandyDec 16, 2020

A unica parte boa do filme é a Xtina, porq o resto é uma bomba, então minha nota é só pra ela.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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7

hornysoulSep 23, 2018

O filme fala de uma mãe que segue os seus sonhos e decide se aventurar nos estudos. Apresenta-nos momentos engraçados e uma reviravolta maluca que fez os espectadores gritarem. "Life of The Party" é muito agradável e não tem aquele conteúdoO filme fala de uma mãe que segue os seus sonhos e decide se aventurar nos estudos. Apresenta-nos momentos engraçados e uma reviravolta maluca que fez os espectadores gritarem. "Life of The Party" é muito agradável e não tem aquele conteúdo estúpido que muitas vezes vemos nos filmes de Melissa McCarthy.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

RalfbergsOct 13, 2018

Seemed quite average, but still it had some decent jokes and it was watchable, basically a movie for just relaxing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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