Life of the Party

Life of the Party is a comedy movie released in 2018, directed by Ben Falcone and starring Melissa McCarthy, Matt Walsh, and Molly Gordon. The movie tells the story of a middle-aged woman, Deanna Miles (McCarthy), who is a loving wife and mother to her daughter, Maddie (Gordon). Deanna's life is turned upside down when her husband of many years asks for a divorce, just as Maddie is about to graduate from college and leave the house. Deanna feels as though her life is over until she decides to go back to college to finish her degree.

The movie begins with Deanna and her daughter, Maddie, on a college tour. Deanna is excited for her daughter's future, but as they walk around the campus, she begins to reminisce about her own college years. Her nostalgia is cut short when her husband, Dan (Walsh), tells her he wants a divorce. Devastated, Deanna decides to enroll in the very same college where Maddie will be attending, determined to finish her archaeology degree.

At first, Deanna struggles to fit in with the younger crowd on campus. She tries to dress like the college kids and acts like she's much younger than she really is, which leads to some hilarious moments. However, as the movie progresses, she finds her footing and becomes a favorite among her classmates.

One of the standout scenes in the movie is when Deanna is in an archaeology class and the professor assigns a project on Greek mythology. Deanna takes the project very seriously and decides to dress up like Aphrodite, the goddess of love. She then gives a presentation to the class, complete with a little dance and a parody song. The scene is both cringey and hilarious, and it perfectly demonstrates Deanna's newfound confidence and her willingness to put herself out there.

As the semester continues, Deanna becomes a part of the college social scene, attending parties and even joining a sorority. Through it all, she finds a group of friends who support her, including her roommate, Leonor (Heidi Gardner), and her friend, Christine (Maya Rudolph).

The movie also explores Deanna's relationship with her daughter Maddie. At first, Maddie is embarrassed by her mother's presence on campus, but over time, she sees how much her mother is enjoying her experience and begins to appreciate her. The two women bond over their similar interests, and Maddie even invites her mother to a party at her sorority.

Overall, Life of the Party is a heartwarming movie that celebrates the power of friendship and the importance of following your dreams. Melissa McCarthy delivers a stellar performance as Deanna, and the supporting cast is equally fantastic. The movie is full of laugh-out-loud moments as well as touching ones, and it's a great choice for anyone looking for a feel-good movie with plenty of heart.