BOOK CLUB – A Review by Cynthia Flores
Attention all ladies of a “certain age”, this film is for you! This is director/co-writer Bill Holdermans’ feature debut. He doesn’t look old enough to have been around when these great casts of actresses were at their peak but he does know how to direct them in this laugh out loud comedy.
The story set up is simple enough, four lifelong friends, Diane (Diane Keaton) who is newly widowed, Vivian (Jane Fonda) who is married to her work, Sharon (Candice Bergen) who is a divorced federal judge and Carol (Mary Steenburgen) who is a chef that longs to spice up her marriage to Bruce (Craig T. Nelson) gather each month to hold a book club meeting and drink a lot of wine. Well, this month Vivian wants to spice up the group and get help them out of their sexual ruts so she picks the first of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy for the women to read. This opens a Pandora’s box of feelings and questions about sexuality for women over sixty. Not laughing yet? Well you will because the rest that follows are fish out of water situations for these very dignified ladies like online dating, and starting real relationships at this late date. As the women start to look at their lives they continue reading the rest of the trilogy and make changes in how they want to live out their golden years.
The director was lucky to have such top caliber actors and actresses to do this kind of light hearted comedy. It’s their seasoned talent that keeps the moments that feel clunky due to the writing down to a minimum. It’s great to see older actors and actresses up on the big screen and not tucked away because of their age. Hollywood is learning that there is more than enough room up there for everyone.
I don’t think that Book Club will become a classic like 1996’s First Wives Club did but it’s funny and a great reason to step out of the heat and enjoy it on the big screen in a cool theater. I give is a solid B rating.
Directed by Bill Holderman
Written By Bill Holderman, Erin Simms
Rated PG-13
Selig Rating B
Running Time 1hr 45min
Comedy
Wide Release May 18th
Starring: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Andy Garcia, Craig T. Nelson, Don Johnson
The Selig Rating Scale:
A – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
B – Good movie
C – OK movie
D – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
F – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
