• Series: Absolutely Fabulous

• Genre: Comedy
• Movie Type: Sitcom, Comedy of Manners
• Themes: Eccentric Families, Parenthood, Suburban Dysfunction
• Director: Bob Spiers
• Main Cast: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield, Jane Horrocks
• Release Year: 2001
• Country: UK
• Run Time: 30 minutes

Plot

Edina (Jennifer Saunders) launches an all-out offensive on her body fat by prying the champagne glass out of her hand, adopting a boot-camp fitness program, and engaging in an intensive detoxification program -- all because of the shrewish comments of girlfriends Patsy (Joanna Lumley), Katy Grin (Jane Horrocks), Fleur (Harriet Thorpe), and Catriona (Helen Lederer) at a luncheon that resembles a scene from The Women more than it does a Sex and the City episode. Patsy, too, experiments with her appearance, foregoing her blond forelock for the first time since the '60s. In a terrible fit of the munchies, Eddy chomps down on candle wax, then endures torment from God (Marianne Faithful) and the Devil (Anita Pallenberg) as she sleeps. Eddy does cheer up a bit during a second luncheon at which she gets to show off her new, trimmer figure, but she soon sinks back into old habits -- as does Pats, who feels naked without her signature coif. Meanwhile, on a lunch date of her own, Saffy (Julia Sawalha) finds that old school chum Taylor Johns (Julian Rhind-Tutt) is more interested in an acting role in her upcoming play than he is in getting reacquainted with her. Originally broadcast on BBC 1 on September 21, 2001, Absolutely Fabulous: Donkey marked series four, episode two of this popular Britcom. Rock diva Faithful reprises her role as God from Absolutely Fabulous: The Last Shout, while Pallenberg -- ex-girlfriend of several Rolling Stones and, allegedly, Faithful herself -- appears as the Devil. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Jennifer Saunders - Edina Monsoon
• Joanna Lumley - Patsy Stone
• Julia Sawalha - Saffron
• June Whitfield - Mother/Gran
• Jane Horrocks - Katy Grin

Marianne Faithfull - God; Anita Pallenberg - Devil; Julian Rhind-Tutt - Taylor Johns; Tilly Blackwood - Lady Candida de Benison-Bender; Helen Lederer - Catriona; Harriet Thorpe - Fleur; Andrea Gillie - Patsy's PA; Jessica Wilcocks - Minge; Robin Cope - Fitness Instructor

Credit

Adrian Edmondson - Musical Performer; Jennifer Saunders - Screenwriter; Simon Brint - Composer (Music Score); Keith Goddard - Cinematographer; Jon Plowman - Producer; Bob Spiers - Director; Jan Sewell - Hair Styles; Jan Sewell - Makeup; Jonathan P. Llewellyn - Producer; Ellie Gleave - Script Supervisor; Francis Gilson - Production Manager; Clare Bridgland - Production Executive; Harry Banks - Production Designer; Chris Wadsworth - Editor; Julie Tippett - Musical Performer; Caroline Jeffries - First Assistant Director; Joanna King - Art Director; Rebecca Hale - Costume Designer; Mo Reitherman - Costume Designer