Last weekend, thousands of girlfriends flocked to the movie theaters to see the Hollywood blockbuster film, Girls Trip. This film chronicles the lives of four black women who have been best friends for years as they travel to New Orleans for an impromptu Girls Trip at Essence Fest. This film is full of multiple self-help guides, girl fighting, some male nudity, and much needed prayer sessions, all of which are shenanigans that will simply make you miss your friends. I absolutely loved this movie, as it left me desiring a girls trip with my own close friends.

Girls Trip was a complete dose of fresh air, as it showed the inter-workings of genuine friend group; and each girl taught us something important about the characteristics of a friendship.  

Friendship Lessons:

1. BE PRESENT for Your Girls

 Dina, hands down, was one of my favorite characters because her humor and loyalty is the glue that keeps these women together.  Dina's genuine spirit was so much more than funny moments, she really emulated how forthcoming and solid one could be for their friends. She is the one who keeps it real and is a testimony to the fact that real friends won't let friends go down without a fight. She teaches us to be confident of what you bring to the sister circle.  

2. ENJOY the time with your friends 

Lisa taught us to find the joy in being with your friends. Her loyalty and dedication to the group reminds us throughout the movie that friendship is worth enjoying and fighting for. I, personally, identified with Lisa's character in that she really tried to keep the decorum and peace in the group. Yes, it is partly due to  her motherly instincts, but she does keep the group level headed and encourages them through disagreements. After all, friendship is  a gift and it is important to have happy moments with your friends to last a lifetime.  

3. LEAN on your friends 

Look, my new motto for 2018 is "if I can't trust you to have my back, we can't be friends".  Ryan teaches us the importance of leaning on your friends for support. Throughout the movie, she hides very hurtful and personal details about her relationship and life from her friends. While she does confide in them later, her friends make it known that they are in the friendship for the long haul and that they all need to use each other for support. This is what true friendship is about, being vulnerable with each other so that you can lift each other up.  

4. GROW stronger as a unit

Through Sasha's story, the audience learns about the importance of  growth within friendships and group dynamics.  There isn't a formula to become better friends with others, but Sasha's character teaches us how toxic things can get when problems are not resolved.  Bitter with resentment towards Ryan for not following through on their plans to start a business, caused a strain on their relationship and although they still cared for each other, they still felt distant (I feel like we can all identify with this at some point in our relationships).  Regardless, Sasha's character  encourages us to resolve issues within relationships and exposes how bottled up anger can ruin a friendship, but also reveals how most times the truth is needed to break tension. So if there is something that has bothered you for a while, talk to your friends and grow from the situation. If the relationship is real it can endure anything. 

My Reaction

I watched this film along with my 6 squad members. Personally, I felt that this film was not only a good representation of the diverse characters within a friend group, but also of the importance of sisterhood.  I tend to really adore sappy movies that depict sisterhood displayed in such realistic manner and this movie delivered with its genuine depiction of friendship during times of both trouble and delight. Girls Trip unearthed the good, bad and the ugly of a deeply rooted friendship. It exceeded my expectations while also being extremely entertaining.

Amongst the moments of pure laughter, tears and frustration, there were aspects that resonated with me.  I have often felt that different friends and relationships operate different compartments in my life. What I mean by this is I tend to show people bits and pieces of me depending on what type of friend you are to me. It’s not because I don’t want them to know all of me, it’s because they accept what I give them.  Although that is what everyone struggles with, as also seen in the movie with Ryan, I appreciated how this movie replaced this tendency with the idea of being able to have total confidence and support within your friend group. Just like Ryan in the movie, I watched the various facets of her life finally merge together, and how her “girls” were there for her despite, and in spite, of all the fragmented pieces she showed them.

I also liked the reality embedded deep within Ryan and Sasha's friendship conflict because it revealed the non-glamorous inter-dynamics of friends that is common. 

We all need friends like the Flossy Posse, but don't get caught up on numbers--quality over quantity any day. Every girl brought something to and benefited from their friend unit.

If you have friends like the ones mentioned in this article, then you are indeed lucky. Check on them, love them, support them and your bond will grow even stronger. 

Some Extras:

Which Flossy Posse Member Are You?

Find out which 'Girls Trip' character you are. I got Ryan, but my friends would definitely argue that I am a hard core Lisa, obviously! 

Who did you get? Comment below on your favorite member of the Flossy Posse and also write a comment about what makes your tribe tight! 

The Official Movie Trailer

Have you seen the Girls Trip Trailer? If not, here it is!