Life of the Party - 3 smiles

I liked "Life of the Party," starring Melissa McCarthy, more than I thought I would. I usually prefer my comedies without the usual 'shtick' that happens in her movies. And although this move has some slap stick, it has a lot of heart, telling the story of the deep bond between mother and daughter. The concept of an older person going back to college isn't new. (We've seen Rodney Dangerfield and Will Farrell do it before.) Forty something Deanna (McCarthy) is dumped by her husband for a blonde real estate agent. Suddenly homeless and not sure what to do with her life, Deanna decides to return to Decatur University and finish the last year of her archeology degree she suspended when she became pregnant with Maddie (Molly Gordon). Deanna lives in a dorm  with a quirky roommate while Maddie lives in a sorority house. Fortunately for Deanna, Maddie's sorority sisters adore her mom. Deanna finds herself enjoying the fringe benefits of college as much as the classes and she starts up a relationship with Jack (Luke Benward), a guy half her age, and develops a rivalry with a couple of campus 'queen bees.' And, while a whiz in her classes, her fear of public speaking results in her undoing for the oral presentation. "Life of the Party" consists of loosely connected sketches showing various aspects of a single mom exploring (and enjoying) a return to college life. And if some of the jokes fall flat, it's all harmless fun and a great way to spend a Friday afternoon at the movies.