The Fabulous Four

The title might refer to the actors more than their characters, and The Fabulous Four allows each of them the chance to shine.

Rather than a superhero saga, this breezy comedy examines the lasting bonds of female friendship — even among women who naturally drift apart over time — with silliness rather than sincerity.

Yet despite some second-half twists, this predictable crowd-pleaser lacks the subtlety and surprise to yield a deeper emotional resonance. The result is mildly amusing yet mostly forgettable.

The story centers on Marilyn (Bette Midler), a free-spirited widow who has relocated to Key West, where she’s impulsively about to get remarried. Longtime pals Alice (Megan Mullally) and Kitty (Sheryl Lee Ralph) are eager to attend.

Meanwhile, Lou (Susan Sarandon) is a feline-loving surgeon and Hemingway aficionado in New York whose relationship with Marilyn was fractured years ago over the man Marilyn wound up marrying.

Alice and Kitty scheme to lure Lou to the festivities by — insert eye roll here — convincing her she’s won a six-toed cat, which she must claim. Marilyn is oblivious to the scheme, which is designed to bury grudges and reconnect to their younger years before it’s too late.

At any rate, the BFFs arrive to find Marilyn more overbearing than usual thanks to a TikTok addiction, and Lou eager to ratchet up the awkwardness with sarcasm, like when she realizes the wedding is scheduled just two months after her ex-husband’s death. “It takes long to cancel a gym membership,” she quips.

As the nuptials approach, Lou finds unexpected comfort in the tropical locale. Yet finding common ground only leads to more drama.

The stilted dialogue provides some scattered big laughs, but leans too easily into broad gags about seniors either being clueless or clumsy with technology. The uninspired script also tosses in jokes about retirement homes, incontinence, cannabis-infused gummies, and a Michael Bolton cameo.

There’s a 13-year gap in age among the quartet of lead performers, but that hardly matters in a film that coasts on their natural rapport. Through the bickering and mischief, their bond rings true.

Australian director Jocelyn Moorhouse (A Thousand Acres) maintains a lively pace. However, like Marilyn, The Fabulous Four winds up more exhausting than endearing.

Rated R, 98 minutes.