Book Club: The Next Chapter movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Book Club: The Next Chapter

This gal-pal, chick flick is now playing in theaters.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 47 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: C

IN A NUTSHELL:

The sequel was directed by Bill Holderman, who also produced the film and wrote the story with Erin Simms. This is Bill Holderman’s directorial debut. Congrats!

It’s about four friends who began a Book Club in the first movie, sharing their lives’ ups and downs. In this edition of their adventures together, they travel to Italy and have more shenanigans.

THINGS I LIKED:

The aging cast looks fantastic and includes 4 Academy Award winners, 2 Oscar nominees, and fan favorites over the years. You’ll love seeing Diante Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Andy Garcia, Do Johnson, Alicia Silverstone, Richard Dreyfuss, Ed Begley Jr., Wallace Shawn, and Craig T. Nelson.
The humor will mostly appeal to seniors and fans of these leading ladies. Candice Bergen had the funniest lines in the movie, although the worst hairdo.
“The older the vine, the sweeter the fruit”, right?
We get to go to Italy in the movie!
I’m amazed at how many movies and TV shows Jane Fond has been cranking out lately.
The wedding dress shop scene was adorable, especially as each of the women took turns trying on dresses.
Who ever said old, single ladies can’t have fun? It’s inspiring to see aging actresses get work in Hollywood, as well as play seniors who aren’t content to sit in rocking chairs during their Golden Years.
There’s a fun, snappy soundtrack.
While it’s nice to have seen the first movie to better understand each woman’s personality and backstory, this film can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone feature.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The talented cast deserved a better script, but it’s still fun to see them in anything.
While they’re all aging beautifully, it is noticeable to see both Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen walk with a limp on occasion.
The jokes are super corny and cheesy.
For a movie called “The Book Club”, there isn’t much reading going on. Ha ha
It doesn’t ring very realistic, as older women are usually invisible to the world. Instead, handsome men constantly fall all over these seniors in the movie.
It’s supposed to be hilarious watching how promiscuous these older women are. It’s not. One of them has an affair while being married. Not funny. I definitely don’t have a sense of humor when it comes to that.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some profanity.
LOTS of talk about intimate relationships.
Lots of alcohol.
Kids will be completely bored.

THEMES:

Fate and signs
Friendship
Adventure
Love at any age
Why not?
Infidelity
Fear
Time
Tough love
Marriage
Love
Taking control of your own destiny

FUNNY LINES:

“I love anything that’s falling apart more than I am.” (talking about Roman ruins) Sharon (Candice Bergen)
’Why and why not?’ That’s going to be the title of my autobiography.” – Sharon (Candice Bergen)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Stop trying to control the uncontrollables. Life is unpredictable.” – Vivian (Jane Fonda)
“Is it too soon to talk about who we’re going to eat first?” – Carol (Mary Steenburgen) “We all know who that is.” – Sharon (Candice Bergen)
“Life is what you make it.” – Sharon (Candice Berge)