Rebel Wilson has written, directed, and starred in the film Girl Group, which centers on a disgraced singer coaching teenage pop hopefuls. Based on an Australian stage musical, the movie follows a former star's path to redemption through court-mandated community service.
The casting of Mel C and Nicole Scherzinger
The production of Girl Group relies heavily on the presence of actual pop icons to lend the story authenticity.. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the film features Mel C (formerly Sporty Spice), Shaznay Lewis of All Saints, and Pussycat Dolls members Ashley Roberts and Nicole Scherzinger. These performers play adult versions of the "Gurlfriends," a group that first found fame in the late 1990s after a high school talent show performance of "Wannabe."
While these stars provide a veneer of legitimacy, the review suggests they are underutilized. Nicole Scherzinger , credited simply as "Popstar," provides one of the film's few highlights by playing a narcissistic diva. However, the overall use of these icons feels like a "participation trophy" effort rather than a meaningful integration into the plot.
UK locations masquerading as Los Angeles
The visual and auditory execution of Girl Group is described as profoundly synthetic. The Hollywood Reporter notes that the film was shot in the United Kingdom but attempts to pass these locations off as Los Angeles, a choice the reviewer claims "will fool no one." This lack of geographic authenticity mirrors the film's general aesthetic, which is characterized by garish colors and deadening lighting.
This artificiality extends to the audio engineering of the movie. While the young actors in the film possess strong voices , the pop performances are reportedly so heavily processed that they lose their organic quality, contributing to a feeling that nothing in the production is genuine.
Tassie Young's journey from 'Summer Snog' to Xplode
The narrative follows Tassie Young, a former member of the Gurlfriends whose solo career collapsed after the success of the group's first professional single, "Summer Snog." Tassie, played by Rebel Wilson, has spiraled into alcoholism and is eventually charged with a DUI. To satisfy her court-assigned community service, Tassie is sent to a youth center run by a character named Ken.
At the center, Tassie is tasked with coaching a group of Gen Z teens who name themselves "Xplode." While Tassie initially treats the assignment with indifference, she eventually finds inspiration in the girls' stories. This mentorship leads her to prioritize the success of Xplode over a potential reunion with her former bandmates, the Gurlfriends.
The mystery of Miss Candy's grudge
Despite the focus on Tassie's redemption, Girl Group introduces several narrative threads that remain frustratingly underdeveloped.. The primary antagonist is a scheming coach named Miss Candy, who leads a rival group called the "Cream Team." According to the report, the film establishes that Miss Candy has a score to settle with Tassie, yet it fails to explain what that grudge actually is.
This lack of clarity is emblematic of a script that the reviewer describes as "narratively anemic." Beyond the unexplained rivalry, the film employs derivative comedy tropes, such as a plot point involving a colon cleanse power bar called "Splurtz," which the review suggests is a blatant imitation of the "poonami" scene from Bridesmaids.
The contrast between 'Survivor' and original tracks
The musicality of Girl Group is a tale of two styles. The film finds its footing when the cast performs established hits, such as Destiny's Child's "Survivor" and the Pussycat Dolls' "Don't Cha." These covers provide a nostalgic energy that the original songs lack.
In contrast, the original compositions are dismissed as forgettable. The film concludes with a finale featuring the Gurlfriends and Xplode sharing the stage, accompanied by Jennifer Coolidge on the piano accordion. The reviewer suggests that the film's reliance on processed pop sounds makes it far less enduring than the actual millennial R&B tracks it attempts to evoke.
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