DVD
Review | Absolutely Fabulous: Specials
Written by: Kage
Alan
Well, it’s about damn time that somebody released
some of the AbFab specials over here in good ol’ Region 1. “The Last
Shout” has been available in Region 2 for some time now, 2 years
maybe, and we’re just now getting a release here. Lovely. Somebody’s
head was up their ass, but at least we have it now as well as the
latest installment, “In New York”. One has to admire writer Jennifer
Saunders for not compromising the integrity of the show by continuing
it when the material wasn’t forthcoming and instead spacing the
specials and 4th season out.
“The Last Shout” find Eddy (Saunders) and Patsy
(Joanna Lumley, “Cold Comfort Farm”) taking off on a ski trip while
daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) starts to plan for her wedding with
uptight rich snob Paolo Carlo (Tom Hollander, “Gosford Park”). Along
the way, Eddie has a skiing accident and has a vision of God, played by
the delightful Marianne Faithful. Once back home, it’s time for Eddy to
help Saffy with the guest list, choose a wedding dress at Lacroix and
find some way to get Paolo’s parents to accept her daughter…with Patsy’s
help of course! There are some major laughs to be found here!
In “Absolutely Fabulous In New York”, Eddy is given
a hint as to the whereabouts of her long gone son, Serge. You see, it’s
been a running joke in the show that Serge has been off doing volunteer
work all over the world and Eddie can never seem to keep track of him.
Considering how unlike mother, unlike daughter she and Saffy are, Eddy
misses her boy. When a trip to NYC with Patsy coincides with the
discovery that her son is living there and is gay, she jumps at the
chance to seek him out. From a gay wedding counselor played by Whoopi
Goldberg to a night out at a Coyote Ugly bar, this latest special has a
huge number of laughs that remind us why we love these women so much!
If there were ever two people you didn’t want to
grow up as, it’s Eddy and Patsy. These chain smoking, swearing, sex
hound, drug taking rich bitches give depth to the word “shallow”. God I
love em’! Supporting cast members Jane Horrocks, June Whitfield and Mo
Gaffney add to the wonderful mix and flavor of the shows too. The real
treat is watching the characters wander around thinking they know
exactly what they’re doing when they don’t and yet still somehow
succeeding. How could it happen? Probably because they are actually
good at heart when it comes down to it, only they’d never admit it.
Warner Bros. has released “Absolutely Fabulous
Specials” in their original full screen ratios. Video quality is pretty
decent as is audio quality. Nothing really stands out as particularly
wrong, so good going there. As for extras, we’re given a collection of
bloopers from each special. There are some sidesplitting moments here
and a few lame ones too, but I’m very pleased they included them. For
those of us who purchased the Region 2 disc, it’s the same material,
only this features the second special too.
The good news is that sin is still in, sweetie! As
for any bad news, I’m not sure when the next special is going to be
written, filmed and released for our viewing pleasure. Life would be a
little duller without Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. They fill in
the fantasy we have about wanting to live that awful, evil existence in
society that we most likely never will. That’s part of the show’s
magic, though. “This wheel’s on fire…”
Film Rating:
B+
DVD Special Features: B-
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