After attracting both media and police attention for accidentally knocking Kate Moss into the River Thames, Edina and Patsy hide out in the south of France, where they hatch a plan to make their escape permanent and live the high life forever.
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, while amusing in spots, too often plays like a moderately decent TV-reunion show that's diminished by its attempt to be a theatrical feature.
Thankfully, Saunders can still write acidic barbs, and she and director Mandie Fletcher, who has helmed the most recent versions of the series, come up with a seemingly endless series of entertaining cameos featuring real-life fashion titans.
Although the film isn't completely able to avoid the pitfalls of adaptation... Ab Fab: The Movie is, for the most part, a thoroughly entertaining showcase for some of Britain's funniest women.
Whether joking about the shallowness of the fashion industry or veering to an inverted riff on Some Like It Hot, you can never say this romp doesn't go for it.
Finding deep meaning and satisfaction from this story will be difficult, but if it's style over substance you're after, then you'll revel in the comedic chic.
Little else about Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie may justify its existence or demonstrate its relevance, but reuniting its leads with viewers does enough.
