Life Of The Party Review: 2 Ups & 7 Downs

6. Melissa McCarthy's Irritating Performance

Life Of The Party Melissa McCarthy
Warner Bros.

Melissa McCarthy gets a lot of hate online, some of it justified - that she frequently takes low-effort roles playing vulgar, annoying characters - and some of it simply rooted in good 'ol fashioned sexism.

Despite proving hilarious in her collaborations with Paul Feig in particular - especially Bridesmaids and Spy - here McCarthy's shtick is more irritating than endearing. Her shrill, loud bleating is obnoxious in the very least, which works against the movie's general necessity for the audience to like and root for her character, Deanna.

Sure, part of the joke is how embarrassing McCarthy's back-to-college mother character is, but she plays the part too broad and OTT to be much relatable.

Advertisement
Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.