When you take four legendary actresses – Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen in this case – and give them a silly premise with a big heart, you get Bill Hoderman's 2018 film Book Club. The movie, which is about four older ladies coming together to read 50 Shades of Grey, was an unexpected and fun play on mature characters finding love. However, the filmmakers and stars have now tried to re-create the “slightly scandalous” and “totally fabulous” fun with Book Club: The Next Chapter, and it falls a bit short. Rather than leaning into the silliness, this follow-up takes itself a skosh too seriously.
Release Date: May 12, 2023
Directed By: Bill Holderman
Written By: Bill Holderman and Erin Simms
Starring: Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Andy Garcia, Don Johnson, Craig T. Nelson
Rating: PG-13 for some strong language and suggestive material
Runtime: 107 minutes
