Wingwomen (2023) Comedy Movie Review

In the movie "Wingwomen," directed by Laurent, things just click. It's not only entertaining but also humorous, with a consistent tone of humor throughout the film—unexpected, subtly delivered, and rooted in relationships. The humor isn't in-your-face or obvious, but rather it's like the way friends naturally crack each other up with their inside jokes, shared laughter, and unspoken understanding.

Adapted from the graphic novel "The Grand Odalisque" by Jérôme Mulot, Florent Ruppert, and Bastien Vivès, "Wingwomen" is more than just your typical action-packed heist film. It skillfully carves out ample space to highlight the most crucial element: the friendship between Carole and Alex.

Carole and Alex work as professional thieves for a woman they jokingly refer to as "Godmother" (played by the fantastic Isabelle Adjani). Godmother rescued them from a tough life on the streets and got them into the thieving business. Alex is an expert sniper, while Carole is the sly thief handling things up close. Despite their high-stakes job, they're deeply involved in each other's lives, arguing about everyday stuff like groceries and offering advice on personal issues.

As the story kicks off with an intense scene involving dodging drones and a cliff jump, we learn more about their personal lives. Alex shares her struggles with love and falling for the wrong guys. But now, things are changing. Both Carole and Alex want out of the dangerous thief life, but Godmother isn't keen on letting them go so easily. The catch? She'd kill them if they double-cross her. To entice them, Godmother offers one last job, promising retirement afterward—a promise that Carole and Alex find hard to trust.

This final mission is no cakewalk. They have to swipe architectural plans from one city, secure weapons from an arms dealer in another, and then head to Corsica to snatch something called "The Grand Odalisque" (not the famous Ingres painting, but a pop-art version by Martial Raysse that Godmother dismissively labels as "kitsch"). To round out their team, Carole and Alex recruit Sam (played by Manon Bresch), a racer with no criminal background, to be their getaway driver. This leads to a comical training montage as the grumpy Alex puts Sam through her paces.

Antoine Roch's cinematography in "Wingwomen" beautifully captures the breathtaking Mediterranean coast, especially as Sam races on her motorbike through tricky turns along the Italian shoreline. The characters they encounter are all a bit quirky, each with surprising layers. In a Variety interview, director Mélanie Laurent discussed her efforts to avoid stereotypes, especially in depicting female friendships. Many action films now portray women as tough "badasses," but this often overlooks their flaws and vulnerabilities. Laurent wanted "Wingwomen" to be more authentic, showcasing the characters smoking and drinking wine alongside their action-packed moments, adding a French touch that American action movies often lack due to self-censorship for a wider audience.

Laurent, a talented actress and filmmaker, has proven her versatility in the past decade with films like the emotionally charged "Breathe" and the satisfying "The Mad Women's Ball." Her attention to detail brings her films to life, highlighting the strengths of her cast, including the earthy and humorous Adèle Exarchopoulos, the vulnerable yet strong Manon Bresch, and the glamorous crime boss played by Isabelle Adjani.

In an interesting move, Laurent introduces Adjani's character in a unique way—sitting alone in an empty movie theatre, watching a classic 1952 film. This shot pays deliberate homage to French cinema giants Danielle Darrieux and Jean Gabin, a touching tribute to Adjani's illustrious career. While "Wingwomen" may not have a perfect ending, the journey is a thrilling and enjoyable ride.