When her husband suddenly dumps her, longtime and dedicated housewife Deanna turns regret into reset by going back to college. Unfortunately, Deanna winds up at the same school as her less-than-thrilled daughter. Plunging headlong into the campus experience, the outspoken new student soon begins a journey of self-discovery while fully embracing all of the fun, freedom and frat boys that she can handle.
As a divorced mom who eradicated regret by returning to college and graduating the same year as my eldest child, I could relate to wanting to get that degree. Although I did not humiliate my child by attending the same school. In addition, I just returned from my second child’s college graduation where I attended a party, a much tamer version than previous back to back years of mom’s weekends which had included frat parties. Life of the Party was all too real, based on what I’ve seen, including Deanna “getting together” with a student. At one party I attended, it was a mom, and not a student, who was thrown out of the party for being trashed. A rude awakening to me that moms would behave that way.
The movie has many laugh out loud funny scenes, as agreed by my friend Dani and also what sounded like all of the audience in the theater with us. The cast is filled with talent. Dani said she really enjoyed what the smaller-role characters brought to the movie; including Maya Rudolph, “always so funny” as Debbie’s friend Christine, 
Debby Ryan as Debbie’s vampire-esque roommate and Luke Benward as Debbie’s flirtatious fling. Melissa McCarthy is the perfect actor in her role where she’s transformed from geeky Mom to an honorary cool sorority sister. She develops a sisterhood and relationships with her daughter’s friends where they support one another. No, it is not empowering or inspiring; it’s just entertaining, silly fun.
Movie times: click here
Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Ben Falcone
Screenplay by: Melissa McCarthy; Ben Falcone
Actors: Melissa McCarthy, Gillian Jacobs, Debby Ryan, Maya Rudolph and a cameo appearance by Christina Aguilera
Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Rating: Rated PG-13 (for sexual material, drug content and partying)
