Why I think Girls Trip is the best Black Friendship movie

Friendship movies can be the warmest, funniest and most tense experiences audiences can have. Of course, the comedy blockbuster Girls trip fits into this incredible tradition. The all-female comedy is a vision of black friendship rarely given space on the big screen. The film was a milestone in camaraderie and an image in the arm of comedies on the big screen when it was released in 2017.

The success of the ensemble comedy friendships spoke volumes as the film grossed over $100 million. It was not only a hit with audiences, but received a positive reception from critics, including a glowing review from CinemaBlend. Black Comedy ranked among the best female-led buddy comedies since its premiere. With that in mind, I guess Girls trip is now the best film about black friendship, and here’s why.

The ladies are silly at Ryan's wedding on Girls Trip — (Image credit: Universal Pictures)

The girls’ trip is about friends reconnecting after being separated

This comedy tackled a tried but true trope – friends reconnecting. Of course, Girls tripIts premise revolved around a group of college friends reunited at the Essence Festival after not connecting for five years. This trope works well, as viewers get a glimpse into each woman’s daily life while watching flashbacks to their tumultuous college days. Ryan (played by Regina Hall) is a best-selling lifestyle guru. Sasha (played by Queen Latifah) runs a gossip website. Lisa (played by Jada Pinkett Smith) is a party girl turned single mom still reeling from her divorce. Dina (played by Tiffany Haddish) is the impulsive and irresponsible one still living on the edge.

As real-life friendships can, the Flossy Posse fell apart as life sent them down different paths. However, this fact does not mean that their bond has weakened. The group recommits to their lifelong friendship throughout the weekend. Of course, like any attempt at reconnection, it comes with love and tension.

The Flossy Posse are ready to party ahead of their iconic Girls Trip dance battle

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

It’s a rare example of women getting their turn at trappy and outrageous fun

Sibling (or sibling) comedies have had their run of the mill fun. However, comedies like The bridesmaids and Girls trip proved that ladies can get dirty like boys.

Of course, resident firecracker Dina sets off the debauchery with her inappropriate prayer. She makes the girl team high before Ryan’s business to make her career, which leads to the infamous dance fight scene. She even convinces reformed little girl Lisa to let loose and have some grown-up fun with a younger guy (played by Kofi Siriboe). Of course, this relationship led to the iconic grapefruit scene (for better or for worse). However, this bittersweet moment doesn’t compare to Lisa’s famous peeing scene during a fun night in New Orleans.

Those scenes (and many more) proved that black women can lose their inhibitions and have just as much fun as their male counterparts. Flossy Posse chose the perfect time and place for nights of drunkenness and oblivion.

The Flossy Posse posing on graduation day in Girls Trip

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Flossy Posse navigates changes and personality differences with bumps along the way

The story of the film mainly focuses on the close bond of the group. However, Ryan et al. have grown as women since graduating college. Of course, life after college kept them together for life-changing moments, but that doesn’t mean the women know each other as adults. Ryan became a larger than life media personality with fame, money and a loveless marriage. Lisa turned in her dance card for a secure life as a mother and nurse. Sasha went from a prestigious journalist to a struggling gossip blogger. Dina has remained the same throughout the years (for better or for worse).

However, the five-year friendship gap has bred animosity and hidden truths among the college best friends. This growing tension culminates in a nasty fight between the group over leaked footage of Ryan’s husband. These growing pains showed that female friendships face the same trials and tribulations as a bromance. Lifelong friendships are not immune to envy and jealousy, especially after being in a relationship for decades.

group celebrating Sasha's Times cover in Girls Trip

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

I love seeing the bonds of the Flossy Posse grow through healing and empowerment

What you rarely see in comedies is the healing process between devoted friends. Of course, Girls trip deals with this as the women come to terms with their different styles and personalities. In true comedy fashion, each character faced regret and expressed forgiveness and compassion. Healing gave way to empowerment as Sasha, Lisa and Dina supported Ryan in speaking her truth to an audience of thousands.

I enjoyed watching the Flossy Posse drift apart and come back together as each woman found strength in their incredible bond. The movie proved that soul mates are not always romantic as the ladies find love and companionship in their friendship.

The Flossy Posse tour New Orleans in Girls Trip

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Girls Trip Celebrates Black Culture – Women Over 40, Essence Festival and New Orleans

Of course, the story of the Flossy Posse took center stage in the comedy, but the film served as a love letter to black American culture. Each scene brought in hints and homages without drawing attention to them. Allowing the glamor of New Orleans and the Essence Festival to be in the background was a beautiful way to salute women of color. The underdog flocks to the city annually to participate in the multi-faceted festival, so it made sense for the friends to gather there. The brotherhood depicted in the film encapsulates the fun and fearless atmosphere at the three-day event.

With Essence Fest in the background, the comedy gave the audience a rare treat – women of color over 40 as the focus. College-educated black women finally had the chance to be outrageous and free like their white counterparts. So, Girls trip it was a rare feat for movie audiences. Seeing the debauched misadventures of the Flossy Posse was a detour from the traditional type of weekend or movies moviegoers usually see. The film even snuck in a little homage to the cult classic Set it, when Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith starred together for the first time. It presented black culture without being over-indulged or over-explained to a wider audience.

Girls trip changed Hollywood in a way audiences haven’t seen since The bridesmaids in 2011. It amplified black women and culture reminiscent of the black film resurgence of the 1990s and 2000s. I loved seeing black women being fun, flawed, and unfiltered without outside societal pressures and norms. The quartet showed what real-life friendships go through as all parties involved mature and go their separate ways. It was nice to see mature women having as much fun as their male counterparts.

After the extraordinary success of the comedy, talks about a very hectic sequel immediately began. It’s finally happening with the entire cast apparently returning, including breakout star Tiffany Haddish. Producer Will Packer even confirmed that the sequel was an option with THR. So expect more debauchery and beautiful moments of friendship when the second part, which currently has no production or release date, finally arrives.

If you want to see more movies like this Girls tripwatch the best female friendship movies on streaming platforms and other media.

Why I think Girls Trip is the best Black Friendship movie

The girls’ trip is about friends reconnecting after being separated

By Matthew. Jr

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You Missed

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Taylor Swift’s history of politics and candidate endorsements

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