[yasr_overall_rating]
When three overworked and under-appreciated moms are pushed beyond their limits, they ditch their conventional responsibilities for a jolt of long overdue freedom, fun, and comedic self-indulgence.
You probably know the premise, but just in case: Mila Kunis plays a mom (Amy) who is overwhelmed by the usual stuff — busy kids, barely present husband, obtuse boss, judge-y peers — and unwilling to keep up the insane pace. She befriends a couple of like-minded pals, played by Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn, to join her in shaking off the chains of modern motherhood and dismantling the matriarchy — a trio of PTA overachievers played by Christina Applegate, Jada Pinkett Smith and Annie Mumolo.
It’s completely absurd and not at all plausible. And yet, I could relate to just about every single thing that Amy and her pals experienced — in my own toned-down, real-life version of events.
The night I saw an early screening of “Bad Moms,” the theater was packed with girlfriends who arrived in packs and posed for selfies and cheered wildly at the end. I imagine similar scenes playing out at theaters across the nation this weekend.
All too often, what passes for a “chick flick,” is actually just another tale of a woman trying to find the most appealing version of herself, so she can land the guy. Or get over the guy. Or win back the guy. Or change the guy. What about what women want for themselves? “Bad Moms” is about what we want. It’s a group of girlfriends taking back their lives from the forces they’ve allowed to sabotage their self-esteem and zap their joy.
The comedy in “Bad Moms” hinges on the good mother gone rogue, which here mostly involves kicking back. Amy does this after she boots out her cheating husband and stops coddling her kids. (They’re forced to eat cold cereal for breakfast, do their own homework projects and clean up after themselves.)
The trio of Ms. Kunis and her gal pals neurotic overreacting Kiki (Kristen Bell) and the sexed-up slacker Carla (Kathryn Hahn), are absolute casting perfection! If I could write sonnets, I would write about Ms. Hahn, who’s comedic timing turns laughs into howls on a regular basis.
The movie’s laughs are a little raunchy, and by no means kid friendly. It is rated “R” with no one under 17 admitted without an adult. For the most part however, it is tame stuff. What makes “Bad Moms” funny, isn’t that Amy and her friends go wild, it’s how they celebrate their shared joy of finding freedom and friendship. Freedom from the pressure of being the perfect soccer mom. Freedom from trying to be everything to everybody. Most of all, freedom from the bully moms that are just grown up versions of the mean girls we all went to school with.
Written by the team behind “The Hangover,” “Bad Moms” could easily skate along on its very funny, often very raunchy jokes, but it also makes a much-needed argument for the difficulties of modern motherhood and how the pressure to be perfect is damaging both mothers and their kids. It does this amidst enough synonyms for vagina to crash Urban Dictionary and with genuine heart and sentiment that somehow don’t feel out of place in its sea of delightful filth.
“Bad Moms” wins points for creating six distinct female characters and crafting dialogue to fit each one; jokes aren’t interchangeable between the moms at the heart of the film. Something Hahn’s foul-mouthed Carla says wouldn’t feel right delivered by Bell’s coming-out-of-her-shell Kiki. There are funny lines, but many of them are funny specifically because of who is saying them. Momolo’s dumb, eager-to-please Vicky plays well off Smith’s caustic Stacey. She’s aggressive in a way that differs completely from Applegate’s Gwendolyn, who’s wholly believable in her villainous ambition.
When I was offered the chance to review “Bad Moms,” I was honestly more excited about the prize giveaways that were taking place before the movie and the ice cream reception that was going to happen afterwards. However, I had such a good time seeing it with my best friend, that we have made plans to round up all of our close group of Girl Scout moms and make it a night out. Every once in a while everyone needs a chance to sit back, stop thinking, stop analyzing and just enjoy the moment. If at all possible I would encourage that “Bad Moms” be seen at a theater that offers food and bar service. Make a night of it!
“Bad Moms” will not surprise you with its story line or any plot twist. There are no deep spiritual revelations or spectacular exotic film locations. But it will have you laughing – quite a lot. Skip the book club this month and take your friends to the movies to see “Bad Moms” instead.
In theaters now
