When we first come across the classic comic characters, it appears that they're suffering from a number of issues. Edina Monsoon (Saunders) is having problems with her financial stability – not helped by a failed attempt at a book deal – and PR competition in the form of Celia Imrie's Claudia Bing, whilst the growing fears about their age brings about the worst in them. But when Patsy (Lumley) discovers that high-class model Kate Moss has recently sacked her own PR spokesperson, this seems like the perfect moment for Eddy to get back on track. One slight glitch though: upon attempting to speak to her she inexplicably pushes her into the Thames, which she seemingly doesn't appear to arise from. With the fashion world in a state of anguish and hatred for poor Eddy, she and Patsy come up with a dashing scheme to escape from the hatred and the police – head off to France and find a way to make some easy money.
Yep, much like plenty of other British TV adaptations, the cast are off abroad for a bit of a summer treat. Granted, it feels more like it's part of an actual overarching story by comparison, and it takes its time before finally catching the plane to sunny Cannes, but it still feels a bit like a holiday film rather than a film in its own right. But for a film based on a comedy series filmed in front of a live studio audience, it at least shows them being a bit more free with their expanded surroundings. And whilst the story isn't all that exciting nor filled with many laughs (the near-packed audience around me were sat mostly in silence), it is at least better than its lacking contemporaries. And with its extreme star power in the form of countless upon countless cameo appearances, it just shows how much love the show has to garner this production.
But like I said, it's a comedy with very few laughs. It's not that it doesn't try, but it's that it perhaps tries too hard to gain as many laughs as it can, but instead injures itself and makes each joke feel a tad lame. That's not to say that it's a film consumed by a silent viewing, for occasionally you'll get something that's slightly funny, but the whole thing instead relies on its two leads instead of the supposedly witty screenplay by Saunders.
On the plus side, the film does showcase just how well Lumley and Saunders are together, as the two can be an utter delight. Their characters never get irritating despite their detestable nature, and while the film barely manages to get these characters to learn anything from what happens by the time it draws to a close – more re-setting the status quo with a few minor differences – they sell the cop-out rather well. Julia Sawalha as Eddy's no-nonsense daughter is your typical straight-faced figure, while newbie Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness succeeds into the stereotypical teenage girl role; Robert Webb does offer some amusement as Sawalha's love interest/police inspector; June Whitfield is a delight as always; Jane Horrocks is bizarre as Eddy's assistant Bubbles (a likely explanation in the series, probably, but strange for newcomers); Chris Colfer is your typical gay caricature; and extended appearances from Emma Bunton and Lulu are surprisingly fun. And then come the countless cameos which all vary in quality and/or necessity.
As the film's credits roll, it's upon first glance that one may notice a few elements which were cut from the final film, which may explain the film's overall quality. As far as TV adaptations are concerned, it's a fine enough continuation but one that perhaps isn't all that vital, whilst newbie viewers will find maybe just a few things to truly like. The comedy is mixed, the performances good enough... it's more of a passion project for its two leads where they can finally stretch their legs past the limitations of staged comedy to something a little more substantial if a little lacking in any actual heart nor focus. 4/10.
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