‘Girl Group’ Review: Rebel Wilson’s Underwhelming Ode to Female Empowerment Falls Flat

Rebel Wilson’s latest film, "Girl Group," premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and is a disappointing attempt at female empowerment. The story follows Tassie Young, played by Wilson, who is a former pop star forced into community service after a DUI. She is assigned to mentor a group of aspiring teenage singers as part of her court-ordered service.

Amid generational differences and clashing musical tastes, the ensemble tries to create a new girl group for a record label competition that could change their lives.

While the movie takes inspiration from Netflix’s "Girls5Eva" and aims to capture the magic of "Pitch Perfect," it falls flat in delivering memorable performances, a strong script, or a unique flair. The heavy focus on nostalgia, particularly from the early 2000s era, fails to generate excitement. Wilson's character, Tassie, dominates the screen with outdated quips and tantrums, overshadowing the ensemble of talented young actresses.

The film attempts to feature a rival girl group, led by Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, and is peppered with celebrity cameos, including Melanie C, Randall Park, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Coolidge, and Sally Hawkins. These cameos provide some entertainment value, and the young girls' performances are enjoyable. However, the film's slow pacing, unpolished dynamic between Tassie and her love interest Randall Park, and an overall lack of memorable moments leave audiences feeling underwhelmed.