Rebel Wilson's "Girl Group" Premieres to Scathing Reviews at TIFF
The comedy, written, directed by and starring Wilson, is called a "total disaster" and a "real stinker" by critics.
Rebel Wilson's new comedy "Girl Group" made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to overwhelmingly negative reviews, with critics panning the film as a "total disaster" and a "real stinker."
The movie, which Wilson also wrote and directed, follows a group of young female underdogs aiming to win a singing contest. Critics noted the strong resemblance to the "Pitch Perfect" franchise, in which Wilson starred, but found "Girl Group" to be a significantly inferior product.
Wilson portrays Tassie, a former member of a Spice Girls-esque pop group called Gurlfriends. The film's plot details Tassie's troubled past and her subsequent role mentoring a quintet of aspiring singers. The review noted that Wilson's signature comedic style, while effective in other films, lacks vulnerability and authenticity in "Girl Group."
The film incorporates original songs alongside existing hits, but critics found the new music to be unconvincing. The ensemble cast includes Mel C. from the Spice Girls and Nicole Scherzinger, but the review suggested that supporting actors, including Jennifer Coolidge in a small role, were underutilized and overshadowed by Wilson.
Critics pointed to underdeveloped characters and predictable plot points, calling the writing and direction amateurish. The film's narrative relies on common tropes found in music-competition comedies, which critics found to be stale and uninspired.
"Girl Group" runs for 103 minutes and has not yet received a rating. The film's premiere at TIFF has set a low bar for its critical reception, with reviewers suggesting it fails to deliver on its comedic premise.