KSL Movie Show review: ‘The Fabulous Four’ is beneath the talent of its main actresses

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

SALT LAKE CITY — My dear mother used to say – “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”

And while I’d like to follow her advice, especially in the case of this — ahem — movie, I know you’ll be wanting a bit more and I’ll try to be nice.

Surely, the stars of this — ahem — comedy have earned all the respect in the world and I would count myself as a fan of their — ahem — previous work.

Okay — gulp — let’s dig in, shall we?

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Four women, Marilyn, Lou, Kitty and Alice have been close friends for most of their adult lives. Even though they’ve gone their separate ways, they still stay in touch and usually drop everything for those important events.

One such moment is about to take place in Key West, Florida. Marilyn (Bette Midler) announces to the group that she is getting married. This comes as a bit of a shock since her loving husband of many years died only a few months ago.

Kitty (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Alice (Megan Mullally) are happy for her, while Lou (Megan Mullally) is left in the dark since something that happened a long time ago left Marilyn and Lou estranged.

So, Alice and Kitty make up this cock and bull story about how Lou has won an extra-toed or polydactyl cat from the famous clowder (look it up) of felines residing at the Hemingway House, some 60 in total. 

Turns out, the famed author Ernest Hemingway received a white six-toed cat named Snowball from a ship’s captain. He was so enamored by it that he raised a bunch more, in the neighborhood of 200, up until the time of his death in 1961. And no, the cats had nothing to do with that.  

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It also turns out that Lou is a lover of cats and doesn’t question her friends. But their real aim is to drag her down to Key West to attend Marilyn’s upcoming wedding. 

Oh, the fur will fly when she learns the bitter truth. But honestly, if you’re paying any attention at all, you’ll have already figured out why the two are feuding and what additional surprises are lurking around the corner.

Like I said, I love the work of all of these women. But I didn’t recognize Sheryl Lee Ralph until I put two and two together. She plays the long-time teacher Barbara Howard from the Emmy-winning “Abbott Elementary.” 

So despite their credentials, this movie falls into the same death trap as “80 for Brady,” “Summer Camp” or “Book Club 1 & 2” — all substandard screenplays that are beneath the talent of these great actors. 

The Fabulous Four? Not even close. Sorry, Mom. 

THE FABULOUS FOUR (C-) Rated R for some sexual material, drug use and language. Starring Susan Sarandon, Bette Midler, Megan Mullally and Sheryl Lee Ralph.  Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse (“The Dressmaker” “Proof”) – filmed in Key West, Florida. Running time: 99 minutes. 

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.