It seems as though when people of colour, specifically Black people, would like to see themselves portrayed on the big screen (and small screen), there’s this resistance that if the product are made, they won’t be supported (enter the “but what about Tyler Perry” crowd). Time and time again, when Black filmmakers make their movies with Black casting and solid stories, they’re successful (Get Out ring any bells? Atlanta? Insecure? Power? I could go on). Speaking from a Black perspective, that’s all I’m going to give you, because that’s pretty much where my focus is, and of course it’d be great to see a wide array of movies with Black stars being at the forefront without backlash. So when Girls Trip was about to come out, I saw a lot of comparisons to Bridesmaids, and to be quite honest, no one said that we needed to have a Black version of the movie, but shit, why not? Although it’s not the same movie (and not even the same plot – ok, why was it compared again?), the female-led cast brought the essence of the classic-soon-to-hopefully-be-on-Netflix-if-they-get-their-shit-together-series, Girlfriends, to the big screen and I didn’t know how funny or not-so-funny it could have been, but I was hear for it anyways.

Black women are some of the funniest people on Earth, and if you can’t agree with that, then your circle must be as small as the one you’ll find on the end of a No. 2 pencil (welcome to another school year, everyone!). The Queens of Comedy, whom happened to be some gems found on BET’s Comicview (RIP and screw you Bob Johnson) can’t be disrespected for the amount of years and tears (of laughter) that they’ve provided, and if Living Single, the aforementioned Girlfriends, Beauty Shop, or In Living Colour didn’t let you know that they exist, truly I have nothing for you. The importance of this movie not only being rounded in humour, but in life lessons for Black women across the age spectrum about being true to self in all phases, shows that there’s more to just wanting to have a movie ‘like’ something that’s already been done, for the sake of just having it done. There are stories to be told, and although I am a Black man who watched this movie, I still found it valuable to watch because there’s joy in seeing union between Black women and holding true to what friendship they have, since according to close-minded individuals whose moral compasses need new batteries, they’re incapable of having them without some form of drama.

That being said, this movie certainly had its fair share of drama that came with the humour, but even though it was played up more for a Hollywood audience, it still hit for Black women. I saw a few tears in the audience as there were connecting moments that I didn’t think would be possible heading into the movie. Shit got deep, and I’m glad that there was dialogue in the movie that spoke to the everyday battles that not only Black women, but Black men as well could relate to.

Loyalty can’t be bought and whereas blood makes you related, your friends can certainly be your family. There are oddballs in every circle, and as much as one friend may have the perfect life, or others need to reintroduce spice in their lives, there was an identifier within each characters for the women to relate to, and that’s what I liked about the movie. It also reiterated that I should experience Mardi Gras once in my life, but that’s for another day. As for this movie, it’s a great time, and you probably may not look at grapefruits the same – that may or may not be a bad thing; I’ll leave that to you. This is my opinion, this is my review, but for now,

That’s My Word & It STiXX