movie review of book club 2

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, black writers week, book club: the next chapter.

Now streaming on:

Four brilliant, accomplished, gorgeous female actors play four friends who take a bachelorette trip to Italy in this dumb, dull, dud of a waste of their time and ours. I’ll bet the actors had a lot more fun when they were just hanging out between scenes than anyone will in watching the movie. In one brief scene, the characters visit some of Italy's magnificent ancient Roman statues, and all the script gives them to say are middle school-level dick jokes. What those characters do to those classic works of art is what the script does to the women who play them. Both deserve much, much better. And boy, so do we. 

Like Smurfs, each character gets just one attribute. The male characters all get the same one: unconditional adoration of the fabulous creature to whom they are lucky enough to be able to devote their full time and attention because they have no other interests, wishes, obligations, or, indeed, reasons to exist except to be Perfect Boyfriend (PB). It’s a dumbed-down, glammed-up “Golden Girls.”

Once again, Jane Fonda plays the free-spirited, sex-positive hotel executive, Blanche, I mean Samantha, I mean Vivian. Her PB is Arthur ( Don Johnson ). Candice Bergen is the now-retired judge. Diane Keaton is the, oh, I don't know, they just had Diane Keaton play her dithery fallback persona, the one who loves wide belts, crinolines, and polka dots. Her PB is Mitchell ( Andy Garcia ), the man she met in the last movie. Mary Steenburgen is Carol. She is happily married to Bruce ( Craig T. Nelson ), but he is recovering from a heart attack, and she is worried and perhaps over-protective. 

Oh, boy, pandemic humor! If you think that means shots of Zoom calls with people trying to understand the mute button and turn off the filter, you are right. If you think that's fresh or funny, you might enjoy this movie. Maybe. There are also useless pandemic-era activities like a new pet and a new musical instrument intended to be charming or funny. They are neither. The last movie’s cute elevator pitch was, “A bunch of old but sexy ladies read  50 Shades of Gray .” They jettison the concept of an actual book club this time, but apparently, they all read Paulo Coelho’s  The Alchemist . Instead of snickering jokes about bondage, there are woo-woo references to destiny.

Viv's PB impulsively proposes to her, and the woman who never wanted to get married suddenly finds herself engaged. The friends decide to celebrate with a trip to Italy before the wedding. If you think this means a shot of them walking toward us in slow-motion like a cutesy version of " The Right Stuff " and the dozens, possibly hundreds, of movies that have imitated that shot ever since, you are right. If you think that's adorable, you might enjoy this film. Maybe.

In one of the world's most beautiful countries with some of the world's most legendary historic art and architecture, the women get up to all kinds of silly hijinks that could just as easily happen at home. A mis-sent photo might be misinterpreted! Oh, no! They get thrown in jail. They get thrown in jail again! Same sheriff ( Giancarlo Giannini , slumming)! How funny is that? Not!

Co-written by director Bill Holderman and Erin Simms , the film even fails the Bechdel test. These characters have almost nothing to say to each other except for how much they love (1) each other and (2) men. Plus, a few "jokes" about getting older. 

And there's a finding a bridal gown scene. If you think that means a montage where, " Friends "-style, everyone gets to try on dresses, you're right. If you think it's funny, maybe you'll enjoy this movie. If you think there are "life is what you make it" comments, a farewell to a late husband, and a last-minute switch that makes no sense whatsoever, you're right. But you’ll be better off with “ 80 for Brady .”

In theaters on Friday, May 12. 

Nell Minow is the Contributing Editor at RogerEbert.com.

Now playing

Hummingbirds

Travis hopson.

Reverse the Curse

Brian tallerico.

Last Summer

Christy lemire.

Tomris Laffly

The Garfield Movie

Simon Abrams

Film credits.

Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language and suggestive material.

108 minutes

Diane Keaton as Diane

Jane Fonda as Vivian

Candice Bergen as Sharon

Mary Steenburgen as Carol

Andy García as Mitchell

Craig T. Nelson as Bruce

Don Johnson as Arthur

• Bill Holderman

Cinematographer

• Andrew Dunn
• Doc Crotzer

Latest blog posts

Kevin Costner: The Last of the Cornball American Directors

Leaving A Mark Behind: Kevin Costner on Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1

The Hard Way, Or My Way? RIP Bill Cobbs (1934-2024)

Catherine Breillat Wants You to Think About (Movie) Sex Differently

Advertisement

Supported by

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ Review: Cinema Pinot Grigio

Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen take a trip to Italy and don’t read as much in this comedy sequel.

• Share full article

By Amy Nicholson

The 2018 comedy “Book Club” had a simple, sturdy spine of a plot: Four longtime friends (Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen) power up their sexual prowess while panting over — and mocking — the best seller “Fifty Shades of Grey.” At some point during the brainstorming of “Book Club‌: The Next Chapter,” the returning director Bill Holderman and his co-screenwriter Erin Simms must have decided they could ditch the book gimmick. With a cast this beloved, who cares what they’re reading? This sequel opens with a formal quote from “The Alchemist” and, when pressed, mutters about how its author Paulo Coelho embraces fate. But that’s just a spaghetti-thin excuse to send the pals on a frenetic adventure through Italy with no time to crack open a paperback.

Since every woman found her bliss in the first film — Keaton with Andy Garcia, Fonda with Don Johnson, Steenburgen with Craig T. Nelson, and Bergen, the franchise’s merry M.V.P., inviting more gentlemen into her car’s back seat than an Uber driver — the running time is crowded with wacky, meaningless mishaps (stolen luggage, flat tires, pesky cops and other trivialities). Our close familiarity with the cast is the sole thing giving this fluff a sheen of emotional weight. When Keaton gazes at a Roman bust and cracks, “I had that perm in 1982,” we want to pipe up and say it’s actually more like her hairdo at the 1978 Oscars when she won for “Annie Hall.” Later, during a tipsy shopping montage, we spot her dream dress before she does — wide belt, black sequined turtleneck, flouncy polka dot skirt — and then wait eagerly to see her try it on.

The operative literary device is the double entendre. The ladies cavort through Rome, Venice and Tuscany cracking each other up eroticizing innocent words: meatballs, fanny packs, hip replacements, knee replacements and even the phrase, “I made pasta on a boat.” They’re salty, not sweet. As Fonda, playing a newly engaged hotelier, tours a potential wedding church with Bergen’s foulmouthed character on speakerphone, you half expect the priest to throw her out. (He seems to consider it.)

The film is at its best when absolutely nothing important is happening onscreen. The women guzzle Prosecco. They banter. They are adored by all, including young hunks on speeding mo-peds who force them to page through the only book that matters: an English-Italian dictionary. At one point, Steenburgen hoists an accordion to karaoke Laura Branigan’s “Gloria.” The leads share four Oscars, six Emmys, and 13 Golden Globes between them and have nothing left to prove beyond the value of charisma.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ Review: You’re Going to Need a Lot of Wine to Enjoy This Sloppy Sequel

Kate erbland, editorial director.

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Share on LinkedIn
• Show more sharing options
• Submit to Reddit
• Post to Tumblr
• Print This Page
• Share on WhatsApp

In 2018, when Bill Holderman’s directorial debut “Book Club” first hit the big screen , this writer wondered — not entirely facetiously — how high the amiable comedy’s white wine budget must have been. After all, most of the action of the star-studded feature unfolded in cozy living rooms and swanky hotels (read: sets on top of sets), with many of these locales being positively sloshed on, over, and under with light libations.

Blindingly overlit, incoherently edited, and rife with baffling plot contrivances, the disappointing “Book Club: The Next Chapter” still manages to maintain the heart of its original story, but that only seems to be thanks to the chemistry of its central foursome. Predictable entanglements and uninspired gags — stolen luggage, leering at iconic statues of naked people, mistaking an attractive man in uniform for a stripper, the whole dumb American tourist gamut, really — are interspersed with genuinely moving and valuable insights into what it means to grow older, especially as a woman.

All of these women are sharp, desirable, endearing, complicated, funny, sexy, smart, and messy. Their bond is strong, their lives are not over, and some of the lessons they are forced to learn hold actual resonance beyond the big screen. It’s too bad then that so much of what we  see  on the big screen detracts from the story and characters at its heart.

When they’re finally reunited — a stilted affair that feels oddly bloodless — they’re juiced up on “reading the signs” and dealing with troublesome fate (they did just finish “The Alchemist,” after all)  and  the revelation that the perpetually single-and-loving-it Vivian (Fonda) is engaged to her paramour from the first film (returning co-star Don Johnson, as Arthur). Resident planner Carol (Steenburgen, effervescent as ever) is still reeling from the loss of her restaurant and a scary heart attack that almost took her cute husband Bruce (Craig T. Nelson), and she’s got an idea, dammit: The foursome will take the trip to Italy they dreamed of decades ago, long before real life got in the way.

Everyone reacts differently. Vivian doesn’t want to upset Arthur. Diane (Keaton) is terrified of leaving her neatly arranged life (including her own boyfriend, Andy Garcia, back as Mitchell). Sharon (Bergen) can’t leave behind her cat, goddammit. Soon enough, fate (sorry) aligns to convince the ladies they need to go, and  now.  As they bounce between cities (weirdly, the whole aim of the trip is to go to Tuscany, though the foursome soon engages in repeated demands to mix up the itinerary, padding out an already too-long feature), they have tons of fun and  reckon with their own mortality. More Prosecco, please!

As the journey at hand finally finds some semblance of direction — albeit one most viewers will see coming from a mile off — the charms ramp up. These are characters we want to see happy, fulfilled, and having fun. The conclusion of “Book Club: The Next Chapter” provides that. But most of the pages leading up to it? They need another draft. Wine might help, too.

Focus Features will release “Book Club: The Next Chapter” in theaters on Friday, May 12.

Most Popular

You may also like.

Book Club 2: The Next Chapter Review: An Italian Adventure That's Not Adventurous Enough

Get your gal pals and a bottle of wine for this tipsy italian adventure..

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

In Book Club: The Next Chapter , Diane (Diane Keaton),  Vivian (Jane Fonda), Sharon (Candice Bergen), and Carol (Mary Steenburgen) reunite after the pandemic for the Italian adventure they have always dreamed of. While Diane is happy in her relationship with Mitchell (Andy Garcia), the other three ladies are all dealing with major life changes as Carol and Bruce (Craig T. Nelson) deal with a health scare, Sharon finally retires, and Vivan gets engaged to her partner, Arthur (Don Johnson). As the women grapple with these major changes, they realize it’s time to take the trip they always wanted to go on. And during that opulent Italian vacation, the gals end up in a bit of trouble that ultimately brings them closer together.  

While this drive to take a fantasy trip and live your best life with your closest friends is heartfelt to an extent, it’s also fairly cliché. It’s this basic premise and preachy mentality – especially in comparison to its predecessor – that makes this movie a sequel that falls short. 

The movie’s high points come when it lets Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen do what they do best.

When you have four absolute powerhouses in a movie, you should make sure to capitalize on their talents. To an extent, Book Club: The Next Chapter does do that, and when it does, the movie really works. Letting Jane Fonda be her extra self, and having Mary Steenburgen tap into the physical comedy she aces in Book Club get magnificent results. 

The same is true for Candice Bergen, who shines as the all-too-serious Sharon and has some of the funniest lines in the movie. Playing a judge who is very committed to doing her job right, even when it’s not necessary, she has a "straight man" dynamic within the ensemble. Bergen is a genius when it comes to making a   dramatic or awkward situation funny – whether she's the only person taking a wedding ceremony seriously or getting caught hooking up with a guy on a water taxi. Her deadpan delivery at the cop who catches her on the boat is hysterical.

Likewise, Diane Keaton she is at her strongest when they let her be her quirky self, but when the movie takes itself too seriously, a lot of that earnest attitude is delivered through Keaton’s character, who frequently preaches about her dislike of marriage. In the first movie, Diane and her stubbornness are what make the film work, the actress uses her ability to switch between comedic and dramatic moments to create a quirky character. She’s a woman who doesn’t want to fall in love, and through a series of funny, and heartfelt dates, she eventually realizes that her line of thinking may not have been the most efficient. All these ideas remain in the sequel, and it works really well sometimes. However, the issue is it makes her seem like she didn’t learn anything  from the previous story. 

In the end, this movie almost does what the first one did so well. When it lets these four ladies do what they do best, the movie is at its highest, but those high points don't come as often as they do in Book Club . 

Book Club: The Next Chapter lacks the self-aware goofiness that the first movie thrived on. 

The reason the first Book Club worked was its silly premise and the commitment to the bit. This idea that four older women would read 50 Shades of Grey together and react is hilarious, and the silliness of this idea is constant throughout the movie. The result of this approach and the self-awareness of just how ridiculous it is, is how we end up with a heartfelt story of these friends finding love in a time when they thought they couldn’t. There’s unexpected heart in the movie, and it’s written in a way that is both clever and moving in its own way.

In Book Club 2: The Next Chapter , they aren’t trying to be coy, and they aren’t going for a silly premise. While it’s hard to top the first Book Club’s conceit for the sequel, going in the opposite direction doesn’t totally work. Rather than picking the second 50 Shades or another novel that would make for an unexpected and funny book club choice, the titular group chooses The Alchemist , which is a serious and philosophical book by Paulo Coelho. While this story of travel and the pursuit of dreams is admirable and important, for this movie, that moral is a bit too on the nose and far too drama-heavy. The moral is plastered on the screen from the get-go in the sequel, and hammers home its lesson by reiterating it rather than having it coyly revealed through a funny movie. 

This is the kind of movie that wants you to get tipsy with your gal pals to enjoy.

Wine is just as present in the movie as the women are. For every adventure they take, a glass of red or white awaits them. If you go see this movie, you should do the same thing as the stars: grab your gal pals and a bottle of wine, and just have a blast with it. Despite its efforts to the contrary, Book Club 2: The Next Chapter is meant to prompt a fun night out with your friends. 

Some of my best memories with my friends were started by us watching a movie together, whether they are good, bad or mediocre – so long as it made us laugh and prompted fun conversation. This movie can do that; being able to chat through it, laugh with it, and share a bottle of wine with your pals whilst these ladies get up to their European adventure hijinks would be the ideal viewing experience. As someone who watched it alone, I had a hard time investing in the story and finding the fun in it because there wasn’t someone to share it with. 

While this movie has some clear flaws, and is not nearly as fun as its predecessor, you can at least tell these four women had a blast making it. Being able to see the fun they’re having on-screen makes Book Club: The Next Chapter a pleasant watch, but you'll want a bottle of wine and your friends near for the optimal viewing experience.

Riley Utley is the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. She has written for national publications as well as daily and alt-weekly newspapers in Spokane, Washington, Syracuse, New York and Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated with her master’s degree in arts journalism and communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Since joining the CB team she has covered numerous TV shows and movies -- including her personal favorite shows  Ted Lasso  and  The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel . She also has followed and consistently written about everything from Taylor Swift to  Fire Country , and she's enjoyed every second of it.

10 LGBTQ+ Comic Books That Deserve Movies And TV Shows ASAP

A Quiet Place: 7 Questions I Have About The Aliens After Day One

How To Watch A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder And Stream The Holly Jackson Adaptation Free From Anywhere

Most Popular

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ Review: Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton and Friends Voyage to Italy for a Cookie-Cutter Sequel That Gets Sweetly Romantic

The stakes seem a bit lower as our heroines take a bachelorette vacation. But the actors put it over.

By Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman

Chief Film Critic

• The Ho-Hum Box Office of Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ Carries a Message: Don’t Turn Movies Into Television 1 day ago
• In the First Presidential Debate, Biden Floundered, While Trump (Let’s Just Say It) Performed With Confidence and Angry Flair 3 days ago
• ‘Maxxxine’ Review: Mia Goth Fights the Hollywood Power in Ti West’s Retro- ’80s Schlock Sex-and-Horror Thriller. It’s Fun at Times, but It’s No ‘Pearl’ 5 days ago

Related Stories

Regulators shouldn’t blow the whistle on venu sports just yet, ‘ghost cat anzu’ review: made with rotoscope techniques, unusual anime plays like a sardonic relative to ‘spirited away’, popular on variety.

Steenburgen’s Carol, always the most settled and content of the four, has lost her restaurant in the pandemic’s economic downturn, but she’s fine with that change of life. The real conflict that besets her has to do with her husband, Craig T. Nelson’s crusty old bear Bruce, who has had a heart attack. He came through it fine, but she’s so frightened of losing him that she’s got him on a joyless diet and a general vibe of overprotected severity that’s messing with their mostly idyllic marriage. And Bergen’s Sharon? Having reconnected with her amorous side, she has now retired from the bench, which has left her at loose ends.

These are not exactly situations and conflicts destined to erupt into explosive comic drama. The premise of “The Next Chapter” is that our heroines, after too much hemming and hawing, decide to follow their bliss, live a little dangerously and take a senior bachelorette voyage to Italy, all to celebrate Vivian’s impending wedding. Given the lush Continental setting, you could easily envision a film that was “Eat, Pray, Love” x 4 + 16 added decades of life experience. A kind of seniors-go-wild romantic travelogue meets Katharine Hepburn in “Summertime.”

But once the friends arrive in Italy, “The Next Chapter” turns into a series of staid and unremarkable adventures. The original film reveled in its real-estate porn. This one has location porn (the architectural splendors of Rome, the mystic majesty of Venice, the Edenic tranquility of Tuscany), alcohol porn (late-night rounds of Prosecco and grappa), and, in one shopping sequence, wedding-dress porn. All fine, though none of it quite adds up to a movie.

At a hotel bar, Sharon meets an expatriate retired philosophy professor (Hugh Quarshie), and just as she tapped her inner freak in “Book Club” by having sex in the back of her car, here the two go at it in the back of a water taxi. But it’s just a momentary fling (which feels a bit off; Hugh Quarshie is an appealing enough actor to seem worthy of more permanent placement). At a dinner party thrown as a lush garden restaurant in Venice, Carol learns that the chef (Vincent Riotta) is none other than her old teacher at culinary school. Is there a spark between them? For a moment the movie leads us to believe she might stray, but it’s all squashed by an elaborate version of one of those double-entendre jokes (this one is about “pulling dough”) that the “Book Club” movies can’t get enough of.  

Reviewed at Universal Screening Room, May 1, 2023. MPA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 107 MIN.

• Production: A Focus Features release of an Apartment Story production, in association with Fifth Season. Producers: Erin Simms, Bill Holderman. Executive producers: Brad Weston, Trish Hoffman, Enzo Sisti, Andrew Duncan.
• Crew: Director: Bill Holderman. Screenplay: Bill Holderman, Erin Simms. Camera: Andrew Dunn. Editor: Doc Crotzer. Music: Tom Howe.
• With: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Don Johnson, Andy Garcia, Craig T. Nelson, Giancarlo Giannini, Hugh Quarshie, Vincent Riotta.

More from Variety

Youtube tv needs more than the nfl to combat cord-cutting blitz, how content spending will grow in the post-peak tv era, more from our brands, tyla performs ‘jump’ with gunna, skillibeng after best new artist win at bet awards, 7 fresh hotel openings and renovations hitting new england this summer, caitlin clark and fever bring road show to sellout crowd in phoenix, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, house of the dragon episode 3 surprise: someone we thought we wouldn’t see again returns — read recap, verify it's you, please log in.

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘book club: the next chapter’ review: diane keaton and jane fonda in an affectionate but strained romp.

The sequel to the 2018 hit comedy reunites the two stars with Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen on a bachelorette trip to Italy.

By Sheri Linden

Sheri Linden

Senior Copy Editor/Film Critic

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Send an Email
• Show additional share options
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on Reddit
• Share on Tumblr
• Share on Whats App
• Print the Article
• Post a Comment

Signed, sealed and delivered, Book Club: The Next Chapter is an unabashed love letter to four great movie stars. As a vehicle for their talents, it’s less of a sure thing. If you can see past the clunky plot contrivances, strained hijinks and one-liners that don’t land, and focus on the Italy-set comedy’s Mediterranean glow and the dazzling quartet of go-getters at its center, the movie might fit the bill as a celebratory pairing with Mother’s Day brunch.

Related Stories

Yao chen on the search for chinese talent in shanghai and the bond she's formed with the ufc's zhang weili, cameron bailey talks toronto film fest's grand market plans, rekindling china connections, book club: the next chapter.

Kicking things off with Tom Petty’s infectious and pointed “American Girl,” Holderman sets a buoyant mood that’s quickly deflated by six pre-title minutes of the clique’s pandemic Zooming. As the world reopens, they agree, after some give-and-take, to revive a long-shelved plan for a vacation in Italy, one that turns into a bachelorette getaway for Fonda’s Vivian, who surprises no one more than herself when she becomes engaged to Arthur (Don Johnson), the long-ago boyfriend she rediscovered in the previous installment. The high-powered, commitment-averse hotelier has been enjoying a New York penthouse lifestyle with him, while Keaton’s widowed Diane is living the New Mexico dream with pilot Mitchell (Andy Garcia). With their understated supporting turns, Johnson and Garcia provide a welcome antidote to all the over-enunciated exuberance.

The four longtime friends have moved on from the Fifty Shades trilogy — which, five years ago, jump-started their lives on the romance and sex fronts — to the pop mysticism of Paulo Coelho’s self-help fable The Alchemist. Its advice to embrace serendipity and not submit to fate as a victim is the unsubtle guiding principle as these superachiever American girls, in their 70s and 80s, embark on their Italian adventure. They take their moveable feast of comfort and luxury and endless long-stemmed glasses of wine to Rome and Tuscany, with an impromptu detour to Venice. There are landmarks and selfies, gelato and prosecco, and double entendres so broad they might qualify as quadruples. Serendipity arrives in the form of sparks between Sharon and Ousmane (Hugh Quarshie), a life-loving retired professor of philosophy, and Carol reignites a culinary flame with Gianni (Vincent Riotta), a fellow chef she once loved.

Emphasizing that Book Club is about the performers more than the characters, Holderman interrupts the travelogue for an all-out lovefest sequence in an opulent bridal salon, where Fonda’s bride-to-be and her three besties all get to flaunt their magnificent selves in a fashion show of gowns. Stefano De Nardis’ costumes shower the actors with affection — in Keaton’s case especially, paying tribute to her distinctive fashion profile.

In the midst of one evening’s festivities, product placement for a brand of liqueur is so conspicuous, the bottle’s label so precisely positioned before the camera, that it might as well have been accompanied by a jingle. As to the film’s song soundtrack, after the promise of Petty, it lapses into a less-than-commanding mix of vintage pop. A party scene featuring a new rendition of the rousing international hit “Gloria,” led by Quarshie and Steenburgen, could have been a blast if Holderman didn’t remind the audience at every awkward turn just what a blast all the characters are having.

Sustaining the thin narrative was not the top priority, it seems; The Next Chapter moves in and out of a sense of emotional connection. When it does indulge in straight-up sentiment, the results, however obvious, are a welcome break from the half-baked shenanigans. A scene between Keaton and Fonda is affecting precisely because it’s A Scene Between Keaton and Fonda.

Hell yes, Hollywood needs more movies about female friendship, and it needs more movies that place older women front and center. Watching this one, it’s easy to kvell over the signature silhouettes and screen essences of four extraordinary performers: Keaton’s deft-clumsy openness, Fonda’s ineffable elegance and strength, Bergen’s unparalleled timing and stinging wit, and Steenburgen’s graceful ebullience. Actresses in earlier eras didn’t have the chance to do what they’re doing here. If only they were doing it in a better movie.

Full credits

Thr newsletters.

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Crunchyroll to release ‘demon slayer: kimetsu no yaiba infinity castle’ in theaters as film trilogy, ukraine war in karlovy vary focus as oleh sentsov meets czech president before ‘real’ world premiere, box office: ‘inside out 2’ wins with $57.4m as ‘quiet place’ prequel scores record $53m start and ‘horizon’ bombs, box office milestone: ‘inside out 2’ crosses $1 billion globally in record time, viggo mortensen on respecting audiences, how scripts are key “unless i’m broke,” new ‘lotr’ films, orson welles to steven soderbergh: karlovy vary curators on hollywood’s “kafkaesque” cinema.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• A Quiet Place: Day One Link to A Quiet Place: Day One
• Inside Out 2 Link to Inside Out 2
• Daddio Link to Daddio

New TV Tonight

• Star Trek: Prodigy: Season 2
• Grace: Season 4
• Down in the Valley: Season 1
• The Great Food Truck Race: Season 17
• SPRINT: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1
• The Bear: Season 3
• The Boys: Season 4
• My Lady Jane: Season 1
• Supacell: Season 1
• Presumed Innocent: Season 1
• Dark Matter: Season 1
• House of the Dragon: Season 2
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• My Lady Jane: Season 1 Link to My Lady Jane: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Box Office 2024: Top 10 Movies of the Year

All 54 Billion-Dollar Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

The Bear : Season 3 First Reviews: Still One of the Best Shows on TV

A Quiet Place: Day One First Reviews: A Tense, Surprisingly Tender Thriller Anchored by Fantastic Performances

• Trending on RT
• The Bikeriders
• Billion Dollar Movies
• The Bear Season 3
• MaXXXine: First Reviews

Book Club: The Next Chapter Reviews

Its a fun watch but its not a good movie

Full Review | Apr 24, 2024

Book Club: The Next Chapter seems more focused on cashing in on the success of the first film than really investigating the lives of the women they had the audience invest in the first time around.

Full Review | Sep 24, 2023

Feel-good exercise in mush.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Aug 13, 2023

Because the story is so weak and the production so uninspired, this attempt at a whimsical wedding adventure has only the four stars to keep it from being a total waste.

Full Review | Original Score: D+ | Aug 9, 2023

The film can be enjoyed as an utterly delightful travelogue. The story is as thin as a shaved white truffle. The message is to take advantage of a joyous opportunity when it presents itself. Romantic Italy lends an aura of enchantment to the proceedings.

Full Review | Jul 18, 2023

Perhaps the best thing that can be said about Book Club: The Next Chapter is that there’s nary a Tom Brady in sight.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 15, 2023

While the sequel isn't as good as the first film, it still has some funny moments and some sweet, sentimental scenes that will bring a smile to almost anyone's face.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 11, 2023

There's plenty of eating and loving and praying happening here, although it's the audience that's doing the praying – praying for this movie to dredge up a decent joke for its effervescent stars to deliver, or in lieu of that, for it to end.

Full Review | Jul 3, 2023

Book Club: The Next Chapter is the textbook definition of a ‘feel good’ film, and sometimes that’s just enough.

Full Review | Jun 28, 2023

Amusing and somewhat entertaining but it seems like something you have already seen - in a different version.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Jun 27, 2023

A light comedy with a lighthearted spirit elevated by stellar performances. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 6, 2023

The story is kind of shaggy... it's not well-plotted, there's not enough meat on the story to hold it all together and make it memorable.

Full Review | Original Score: C | May 31, 2023

One does not go to a film like Book Club: The Next Chapter for Shakespearean drama that tests the morals of humanity itself, one goes to Book Club: The Next Chapter for innocent and heartfelt fun which the film delivers on excellently.

Full Review | May 26, 2023

Book Club: The Next Chapter is a bit better than 80 For Brady.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 25, 2023

Book Club’s next chapter is a pleasant Hollywood fairy tale where likeable people in nice outfits go somewhere pretty. The audience that made the first movie a hit won’t mind that one bit.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 23, 2023

A second serving of broad, frequently sexually charged humor and low-stakes drama. Most important the aforementioned formula is the deep female friendship that keeps the group together and on the move — it’s tons of hugs and a bit of tough love.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | May 22, 2023

This quartet of talented travelers deserve better than this flighty, frenetic, briefly anecdotal fluff, filled with cliched PF-13 double entendres.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/10 | May 22, 2023

...the picture eventually (and perhaps inevitably) segues into a hit-and-miss, entirely episodic midsection that slowly-but-surely wears out its welcome...

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | May 20, 2023

In other words, Book Club: The Next Chapter doesn't offer any new discoveries -- rather, it delivers the idea of Italy that many non-Italians likely already have in their head.

Full Review | May 20, 2023

It’s the kind of film that exists for the sole purpose of entertainment, which it provides consistently.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | May 19, 2023

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

How to Help Kids Spot Misinformation and Disinformation

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

Book club: the next chapter, common sense media reviewers.

BFFs enjoy Italy in comic sequel with wine, salty language.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Life is what you make of it, so embrace opportunit

The main characters have maintained their friendsh

The main characters, while White and affluent, are

Romantic subplots. Postsex scene with characters h

Occasional strong language includes "s--t" and two

Book The Alchemist prominently featured. Stella Ar

Constant drinking of wine (sparkling and still), l

Parents need to know that Book Club: The Next Chapter is the sequel to Book Club and reunites stars Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen. This time around, the story takes the four lifelong besties to Italy and loosely follows themes from their current read, The…

Positive Messages

Life is what you make of it, so embrace opportunity, adventure, fun, and love -- it's all possible, no matter your age or situation. Promotes strong, positive female friendship.

Positive Role Models

The main characters have maintained their friendship for 50 years, supporting each other through hard times and wonderful ones and meeting regularly to read and discuss literature. Most followed their interests to excel in their field before retirement: a hotelier, a judge, a chef with her own restaurant, a mother. Some are, or were, married, and others have led happy, fulfilled lives as single women. When one is given "tough love" constructive criticism from friends, the information is taken without offense, modeling strong communication.

Diverse Representations

The main characters, while White and affluent, are all women over 70, which is an underrepresented demographic. They're depicted living full lives, including engaging in romance and sex. Most other characters with speaking roles are also over 60 or 70. Two of the main characters' four love interests are men of color (Latino, Black). Filmed in Italy, with Italian actors in supporting roles and Italian culture highlighted.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Romantic subplots. Postsex scene with characters half-dressed and makeup smeared after a boat has been rocking. Suggestive jokes/scenarios and innuendo throughout (e.g., one scene shows a van rocking ... but it turns out the occupants are just cooking, and a sexy chef tells the women, "There are so many things I want to put in your mouth!").

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Occasional strong language includes "s--t" and two uses of "f--k." One is played for humor when a character exclaims "Jesus f--king Christ!" in church. "Oh my God!" is also used as an exclamation.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Book The Alchemist prominently featured. Stella Artois label shown on a beer bottle.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Constant drinking of wine (sparkling and still), limoncello, spritz, etc. One main character is shown hung over.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Book Club: The Next Chapter is the sequel to Book Club and reunites stars Diane Keaton , Jane Fonda , Candice Bergen , and Mary Steenburgen . This time around, the story takes the four lifelong besties to Italy and loosely follows themes from their current read, The Alchemist . They demonstrate that life definitely isn't over at 70: Romance, adventure, and fun are still ready and waiting. While the sequel is less of a romcom than the first one was, it still promotes the idea (too rarely expressed in mainstream entertainment) that senior women are sexually appealing -- and sexually active. That said, it's not quite as racy as the original movie. One scene shows a woman emerging from a hookup looking rumpled but happy, but otherwise it's more talk than action, with sexually suggestive dialogue and plenty of double entendres (for example, a sexy chef tells the women, "There are so many things I want to put in your mouth!"). Rome, Venice, and some of Florence and Tuscany are portrayed in a dazzling light, as are some of Italy's famous beverages: wine, limoncello, and spritzes are sipped frequently throughout (to excess for at least one character). Language includes "s--t," two uses of "f--k," and "oh my God." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say
• Kids say (1)

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER opens during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay-at-home orders end up leading to Vivian ( Jane Fonda ) getting engaged for the first time. When travel restrictions lift, her best friends -- Diane ( Diane Keaton ), Sharon ( Candice Bergen ), and Carol ( Mary Steenburgen ) -- decide to throw her a bachelorette party in Italy. As she gets ready to walk down the aisle, the others have their own situations to deal with: Diane is living with her boyfriend while unable to part with her late husband's ashes, married Carol is tempted by an ex-boyfriend, and Sharon is happily single and not afraid to mingle.

Is It Any Good?

It's crystal clear that the driving reason for this so-so sequel is that the cast and crew wanted to travel to Italy after the pandemic. But, hey, at least they take viewers with them on their adventure. Italy is presented as appealing and appetizing, with incredible architecture, cobblestone streets, significant art, delectable wine and food, and picturesque Venetian gondolas. In other words, Book Club: The Next Chapter doesn't offer any new discoveries -- rather, it delivers the idea of Italy that many non-Italians likely already have in their head.

The dialogue is so rote that if you found out it was written by artificial intelligence, you probably wouldn't be surprised. But it's not bad . It's fun, and that's important, because it also portrays women over 70 as being vital, engaged, and an important part of society. And the story's COVID-19 context makes the movie's ultimate message -- "Life is what you make of it, so be brave, be bold, and just do something" -- meaningful.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how Book Club: The Next Chapter depicts women over 70. What other films have you seen with senior women as the main characters? Why does diverse representation of all kinds matter?

What role does drinking play in the characters' lives? Do you think they drink responsibly? Does the film make drinking seem appealing?

How do the friends stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic? How do you think they stayed so close over 50 years? Why is in-person connection and communication important?

What is a travelogue? How does this film bring Italy to you on the screen? Does it make you want to visit?

The book club is reading The Alchemist. Did you feel like you need to have read it to enjoy the movie? Does it make you want to read it?

Movie Details

• In theaters : May 12, 2023
• On DVD or streaming : July 11, 2023
• Cast : Jane Fonda , Diane Keaton , Candice Bergen , Mary Steenburgen
• Director : Bill Holderman
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Female writers
• Studio : Focus Features
• Genre : Comedy
• Topics : Friendship
• Character Strengths : Communication
• Run time : 107 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : some strong language and suggestive material
• Last updated : August 4, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

80 for Brady

Mack & Rita

Grace and Frankie

Movies about friends, travel movies, related topics.

• Communication

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ is a Predictable but Fun Character-Driven Sequel

While the ‘Book Club’ sequel is very predictable, the character-driven story really works, thanks to fun performances from Keaton, Fonda, Bergen and Steenburgen.

(L to R) Diane Keaton as Diane, Mary Steenburgen as Carol, Candice Bergen as Sharon, and Jane Fonda as Vivian in 'Book Club: The Next Chapter,' a Focus Features release.

The sequel to 2018’s ‘ Book Club ,’ which is entitled ‘ Book Club: The Next Chapter ,’ opens in theaters on May 12th and is once again directed and co-written by Bill Holderman.

What is the plot of 'Book Club: The Next Chapter?’

Four older best friends, Diane ( Diane Keaton ), Vivian ( Jane Fonda ), Sharon ( Candice Bergen ) and Carol ( Mary Steenburgen ), take their book club to Italy for the fun girls' trip they never had in their youth to celebrate Vivian’s upcoming marriage. But when things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure that will change all of their lives forever.

Book Club: The Next Chapter

Who is in the cast of ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter?’

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ stars Oscar-winner Diane Keaton (‘ Annie Hall ,’ ‘ The Godfather ’) as Diane, Oscar-winner Jane Fonda (‘ Klute ,’ ’ 80 For Brady ’) as Vivian, Oscar-winner Mary Steenburgen (‘ Melvin and Howard ,’ ‘ Back to the Future Part III ’) as Carol, and Oscar-nominee Candice Bergen (‘ Gandhi ,’ ‘ Carnal Knowledge ’) as Sharon, as well as Oscar-nominee Andy Garcia (‘ The Godfather Part III’ ) as Mitchell, Don Johnson (‘ Knives Out ’) as Arthur, Craig T. Nelson (‘ The Incredibles ’) as Bruce, and Giancarlo Giannini (‘ Man on Fire ’).

Initial Thoughts

The result is a very predictable comedy that is still funny and overall entertaining thanks to the colorful characters and excellent performances from the four leading actresses.

(L to R) Mary Steenburgen stars as Carol, Candice Bergen as Sharon, Diane Keaton as Diane and Jane Fonda as Vivian in 'Book Club: The Next Chapter,' a Focus Features release. Credit: Riccardo Ghilardi / © 2023 Fifth Season, LLC.

The Sequel’s Story and Direction

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ begins during the COVID lock-down and shows our characters dealing with the pandemic by continuing their book club through Zoom. The pandemic soon ends and the four friends are reunited in person, but all their lives have changed. Vivian (Fonda) is now engaged to Arthur (Johnson), Diane (Keaton) is in a serious relationship with Mitchell (Garcia), Sharon (Bergen) has retired from being a Judge, and Carol (Steenburgen) is having issues with her husband (Nelson), while her restaurant closes due to the pandemic.

When Carol is reminded that they all planned to take a trip to Italy together back in their youth, she suggests that they travel there now to celebrate Vivian’s upcoming marriage. As one can imagine, high jinks ensue. While there is not a lot of the actual book club featured in ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter,’ that’s okay, as the character-driven story and the performances of the lead actresses is enough to keep the film moving, funny, and compelling. However, it is also very predictable, and there are not a lot of real surprises in the movie.

For example, the opening scene actually gives away the ending, if you can recognize which of the lead actresses’ voice is the narrator, and spoiler alert … you definitely can! Another predictable moment comes when Carol, who is having issues with her husband coincidentally runs into her old boyfriend in Rome. Sparks fly as you can imagine, but if you guessed that nothing happens between them and she eventually makes up with her husband, you’d probably be on to something.

So the movie is littered with extremely predictable moments but to the credit of director Bill Holderman and the cast, none of that really matters. The heart of the movie are the relationships between these four women, and the slightly outrageous characters each one of them has created, which is where the humor stems from. It’s clear that Holderman realizes that, as he keeps the focus mostly on the leading ladies, their characters, and the beautiful locations of Italy, as nothing else in the movie really matters at all. In that sense, Hollderman has the freedom to allow the other characters, situations, and minor plot points to go to the wayside as the only thing that is important is our four main characters, their friendship, and their experiences together.

(L to R) Diane Keaton stars as Diane, Jane Fonda as Vivian, Candice Bergen as Sharon and Mary Steenburgen as Carol in 'Book Club: The Next Chapter,' a Focus Features release. Credit: © 2023 Fifth Season, LLC.

Related Article: Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen Talk 'Book Club: The Next Chapter'

Italy is a character in the movie.

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ shot on location in Italy in some of the country’s most famous locations, and Hollderman takes full advantage of it. Italy is definitely its own character in the movie, and cinematographer Andrew Dunn shoots the actresses with beautiful vistas and famous Italian locations behind them like the Pizza della Rotonda, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. It adds a layer of excitement to the project, and also grounds the film in a certain reality, even in the movie’s most ridiculous or predictable moments.

Keaton, Fonda, Bergen and Steenburgen

But the movie only works because of the carefully created characters performed by the four excellent leading actresses. You can tell that they all really like working with each other, as it shines through their performances and relationships with each other on screen. It also helps that each actress was perfectly cast and plays a character similar to their own onscreen personas.

Diane Keaton plays Diane (that can’t be a coincidence), a neurotic woman still looking for love, not unlike an older version of Annie Hall. Fonda plays Vivian, an older woman trying to hold on to her youth and beauty, which is almost the same exact character as she recently played in ’80 For Brady.’ Bergen plays Sharon, a bawdy career women fearful of retirement, reminiscent of her classic TV character Murphy Brown. And Steenburgen plays Carol, a free spirited women, who still loves her husband, but is looking for some excitement in her life, which in line with characters she’s played in the past in films like ‘Back to the Future III.’ None of this is meant as a criticism, but rather just to say that the actresses play characters they are well suited for and because of that, create very memorable performances.

In a film like this, it’s easy for one or two of the lead actresses to get less screen time than the others, but that is not the case here. While in some ways the story is told from Keaton’s character’s point of view, all of the main characters have nice arcs and each actress is given time to shine. Keaton and Fonda’s characters find their true voices before the end of the movie, and the two actresses share a very nice emotional scene together. Steenburgen’s Carol has a full arc too, and in many ways her story is the heart of the movie. But Bergen surprisingly has the best comedic moments and is very funny in the film, especially when she is squaring off with Giancarlo Giannini.

Speaking of which, Giancarlo Giannini, best known for action dramas like ‘Man on Fire’ and ‘ Casino Royale ,’ is very funny as an Italian police captain that has it out for Bergen’s Sharon, and in turn her friends. But again, his “change of heart” in the third act is another example of the film’s predictability. But overall, while they have very little screen time, the male actors are very good in the movie and support their female counterparts quite well, without ever drawing the attention away from them.

Andy Garcia, Don Johnson, and Craig T. Nelson all have great chemistry with their significant others, Keaton, Fonda, and Steenburgen, respectively. While Garcia and Johnson both play “nice guys,” Nelson has a little more to do playing the “hapless nice guy,” although again, his character’s turn in the end was about as predictable as they come.

Final Thoughts

In the end, even the movie’s predictability can’t stop the film from being fun and entertaining, thanks to the character-driven story and outstanding performances from Keaton, Fonda, Bergen, and Steenburgen, not to mention the beautiful locations. It may not be for everyone, but I know my mom is going to love this movie!

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

(L to R) Diane Keaton stars as Diane, Jane Fonda as Vivian, Candice Bergen as Sharon and Mary Steenburgen as Carol in "Book Club: The Next Chapter,' a Focus Features release. Credit: Riccardo Ghilardi / © 2023 Fifth Season, LLC.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter:'

• ' Nine to Five ' (1980)
• ' The First Wives Club ' (1996)
• ' Something's Gotta Give ' (2003)
• ' The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ' (2012)
• ' And So It Goes ' (2014)
• ' Youth ' (2015)
• ' The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ' (2015)
• ' Our Souls at Night ' (2017)
• ' Book Club ' (2018)
• ' Wine Country ' (2019)
• ' Poms ' (2019)
• ‘ 80 for Brady ' (2023)
• ‘ Moving On ' (2023)

Buy Tickets: 'Book Club: The Next Chapter' Movie Showtimes

Buy 'Book Club' on Amazon

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ is produced by Focus Features, Makeready, and Fifth Season. It is set to release in theaters on May 12th, 2023.

Jami Philbrick has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Moviefone.com. Formally, Philbrick was the Managing Editor of Relativity Media's iamROGUE.com, and a Senior Staff Reporter and Video Producer for Mtime, China's largest entertainment website. He has also written for Fandango, MovieWeb, and Comic Book Resources. Philbrick received the 2019 International Media Award at the 56th annual ICG Publicists Awards, and is a member of the Critics Choice Association. He has interviewed such talent as Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Quentin Tarantino, and Stan Lee.

Related News

More News on Moviefone

Movie Reviews

Follow Moviefone

Latest trailers.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Book Club: The Next Chapter review – Jane Fonda and Diane Keaton terrorise Europe in dismal sequel

Sexual innuendos, terrible stock footage and environmental disaster overshadow what should have been a light and breezy comedy, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey

Get our the life cinematic email for free, thanks for signing up to the the life cinematic email.

​​I doubt the success of 2018’s Book Club had all that much to do with its story – four older women rediscovering their sexuality by giggling over mentions of butt plugs in Fifty Shades of Grey – as it did the simple pleasure of watching Diane Keaton , Jane Fonda , Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen drink white wine and hang out in the most expensive kitchen you’ve ever set eyes upon. So audiences, I imagine, would have been perfectly satisfied if its Italy-set sequel, The Next Chapter , was nothing but two hours of these exquisitely dressed women sauntering around Rome and Venice, twirling bundles of spaghetti on their forks and drinking prosecco by the gallon.

Unfortunately, director Bill Holderman, and his co-writer Erin Simms, had other plans. Their film is so stuffed with incident – all of it preposterous, and occasionally insulting to the intelligence of its central quartet – that it sours what could (and should) have been a joyful celebration of desire and indulgence at any age. The Next Chapter , really, is the story of four obnoxious American tourists terrorising the people of Italy. Everything becomes a sexual innuendo, whether or not it actually makes sense. The locals are persistently inconvenienced by their blitheness, and at times outrightly harassed. And, without spoiling the finale, the women at one point cause what I’m fairly certain is a serious environmental hazard.

We begin, almost out of obligation, at the start of the pandemic. The quartet continue their book club over Zoom, all of it filmed at such improbable angles you’ll be left questioning where exactly in the room they were balancing all these phones and tablets – and how many professional lighting set-ups they just happened to have lying around. They read Sally Rooney’s Normal People (of course). They try out a few new hobbies (of course, of course). And then on with the show: Vivian (Fonda) is about to abandon her lifelong singledom and marry the dashing Arthur ( Don Johnson ). Retired judge Sharon (Bergen) is enjoying her newfound promiscuity. Carol (Steenburgen) frets over her husband Bruce (Craig T Nelson) after he suffers a minor heart attack. Diane (Keaton) realises it’s probably about time she spread her late husband’s ashes, instead of hiding them away in a coffee tin.

Each of these narrative strands reach their inevitable conclusion when the group decide to take their “trip that never was” to Tuscany, a holiday put aside many decades ago when Diane unexpectedly got pregnant. Their only literary guide is a few dimly remembered passages from Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist , which follows an Andalusian shepherd on a journey of self-actualisation, leading the women to allow any and all cosmic signs to guide their path.

But it’s hard to really digest any of these characters’ spiritual eureka moments when they arrive seconds after some profoundly nonsensical bit of sexual innuendo. Who cares about love and commitment and desire – why exactly were these women all hysterical when a chef invited them to tour around his “cucina”? What phallic word is “cucina” supposedly meant to sound like? Anyone? And why were the establishing shots of Italian landscapes here so randomly sourced, to the point that one city flyover looked distinctly pixellated? It’s all an unwelcome distraction from what should have been the main point of The Next Chapter : four screen legends, whose collective charisma could power the sun, having a whale of a time.

Dir: Bill Holderman. Starring: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Don Johnson, Andy Garcia, Craig T Nelson. 12A, 108 minutes.

‘Book Club 2: The Next Chapter’ is in cinemas from 12 May

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

• What Is Cinema?

Book Club: The Next Chapter Is Paper Thin

By Richard Lawson

The ladies of  Book Club: The Next Chapter do, at least, hold a few books at the start of their film. But that’s really the only nod to format. Quite unlike the  first film —which was centered on later-in-life sexual (and sorta social) awakenings stirred by a specific tome,  50 Shades of Grey —this sequel doesn’t bother with finding another titillating novel to set its heroes on a new course. Instead, they just decide to go to Italy, mostly as a bachelorette party.

Never-married bon vivant Vivian ( Jane Fonda ) is set to get hitched to the beau she fell for in the first film, Arthur ( Don Johnson ). She reveals her happy news to her best pals—retired judge Sharon ( Candice Bergen ), recently out of work chef Carol ( Mary Steenburgen ), and merry-ish widow Diane ( Diane Keaton )—after months, if not over a year, of quarantine separation. Yes, I’m sorry to report that the new  Book Club movie drags us back into the socially distanced, Zoom-box hell of yesteryear. But only in an opening montage, in which life changes are laid out and books are held up to the camera to remind us why the movie is called what it is.

Then it’s off to Italy, a trip that leads each of the girls to some sort of epiphany. Carol has become overly protective of her husband, Bruce ( Craig T. Nelson ), since he had a mild heart attack. She must learn to embrace the time they have together rather than drastically limiting their lives for fear of death. Vivian is contending with nuptial doubts; she keeps seeing signs that she’s made the wrong choice, that she’s giving up who she is in favor of something so pedestrian and limiting as marriage. Sharon is, eh, I dunno, just making funny jokes and exploring her newfound promiscuity, while Diane is figuring out what to do with her dead husband’s ashes—and what to do with her still living boyfriend, Mitchell ( Andy Garcia ). 

Those plot points are secondary to the main sell of the film, of course, which is to see this quartet of grande dames make ribald jokes (yuks about a man’s “meatballs” and someone’s “bouche” being “amused,” etc.) in postcard-perfect Italian locations. The movie delivers on that premise, though the jokes are more strained, less organically sourced than they were in the first film, in which  50 Shades provided a sturdy thematic springboard. Bergen succeeds best at enlivening the new film’s limp (ha, limp! Like a penis!) material, so trained is her sitcom timing.

The others are all perfectly fine, though Keaton remains lost in an abstraction of her famous kooky persona, while Fonda seems stuck on repeat so soon after her similarly hot-tamale turn in  80 for Brady . Everyone is on repeat, really, simply trying to squeeze some extra juice out of a wacky idea that worked well once before. (The original  Book Club earned nearly eight times its budget at the box office.) Which, to be fair, makes them no different from many of their younger colleagues stuck on the franchise hamster wheels of the IP era.

What’s really missing in this followup film is a compelling emotional current, one to match the bittersweet poignance of the first film (and, it must be said, that of  80 for Brady ). There is plenty of sentiment in the film’s goopy conclusion, but it’s tacked-on, perfunctory. Compare this film to the woozy, lyrical sequel  The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and it seems pamphlet thin.

Given that the older-ladies lark has grown into a financially viable genre, I’m wondering where all the truly good scripts are. Where is the wit and sparkle of, say, a  First Wives Club , or even a  Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again ?  Book Club ’s four stars—and others like them—deserve material that’s specific, clever, surprising in some way. These plug-and-play movies have lost much of their charm at this point, feeling more like a slightly degrading duty than any kind of demographic triumph. Which may be overthinking it. But shouldn’t a movie about a book club feel at least a little bit literate?

More Great Stories From Vanity Fair

Everything You Missed at the First Presidential Debate

Palace Insiders on the Monarchy’s Difficult Year

Inside the  Titan Sub Recovery : A Hopeful Rescue Turned Tragic Mission

I Taught the Taylor Swift Class at Harvard. Here’s My Thesis

The Best Movies of 2024 , So Far

Why You Can’t Look Away From the Karen Read Trial

Putin Is Banking On a Trump Win for His New World Order

What Is Cinema? Filmmaking Masters Share Their Secrets

By Savannah Walsh

By Anthony Breznican

Richard Lawson

Chief critic.

By Kase Wickman

By Charlotte Klein

By Katie Herchenroeder

By Eve Batey

By Nate Freeman

By Bess Levin

By Julie Miller

By Ramin Setoodeh

Review: If you could take a movie to the beach, ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ might be it

• Copy Link URL Copied!

It seems like everyone’s going to Italy these days. Thanks to a strong dollar and pandemic-induced wanderlust, it’s not just influencers, old friends and exes filling up their Instagram feeds with gelato and pasta. Season 3 of “Succession” went to Tuscany for a wedding, “The White Lotus’” second season checked in for a stay in Sicily, while Toni Collette landed in Rome to become the “Mafia Mamma.” And now the “Book Club” gals — Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen, Diane Keaton and Candice Bergen — take off for a wine-soaked adventure off the page in the fluffy and fantastical “Book Club: The Next Chapter.”

Directed by Bill Holderman, written by Holderman and Erin Simms, this sequel is even more of a heightened fantasy than its 2018 predecessor. It will require tossing aside every scrap of disbelief and grabbing onto a glass of prosecco instead, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t also be a touching story about the importance of lifelong friendships. When Vivian (Fonda) grasps her girls in a group hug and declares them her “soul mates,” it’s hard not to be at least a little bit moved by their bond, a lively balance of pleasure-seeking, hapless adventure and a healthy dose of tough love.

In the first film , the gals got their groove back thanks to “Fifty Shades of Grey.” “The Next Chapter” finds the quartet forging a new path forward with Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist,” looking for signs that ultimately lead them to Italy under the auspices of a bachelorette party for Vivian, who is now engaged to Arthur (Don Johnson).

The sequel stumbles a bit at the outset with a 2020-set preamble featuring tired pandemic material about Zoom happy hours as the book club goes virtual; the machinations to get them to Italy are so tortured that as an audience, we often feel ahead of the characters. It’s not until they arrive in Venice from Rome, rattled by the theft of their suitcases, that we fall into step with them. The ladies shake loose their uptight Brentwood sensibilities for the Italian way of life, follow the signs like Coelho’s protagonist, and a spontaneous drink with a handsome stranger, Ousmane (Hugh Quarshie), leads to a serendipitous dinner party and a visitor from the past.

No slowing down — or retirement — for ‘Book Club’ stars Fonda, Bergen and Steenburgen

‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ stars Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen. And none of them plan to retire from acting anytime soon.

May 8, 2023

Shot on location in Italy, the film offers some travelogue appeal, though it retains the aesthetic of a carefully lit studio backlot. The characters are also essentially riffs on these legendary performers’ personas — it’s not exactly transformative acting here.

But once again, Bergen proves to be the MVP as salty, sarcastic retired judge Sharon. She’s the very necessary hit of acid needed to make this confection palatable, the spritz of lemon on a plate of fritto misto, cutting through the fat. Going with the Italian wine theme — these ladies like to drink a lot of it — Sharon is a dry, full-bodied Montepulciano (she may be sardonic, but she is still sexy). Fonda’s Vivian is a crisp, bubbly prosecco, chef Carol (Steenburgen) a velvety Chianti, perfect for pairing with food, while Diane (Keaton) is a cool, sweet Pinot Grigio. To continue the food metaphors, the story itself is so easily digestible that it calls to mind polenta: warm, comforting, not too challenging, a little cheesy.

This is a film that wants to have it all, to celebrate the women who take the nontraditional path but still end in a white wedding, to offer a portrait of feminine sexuality of a certain age but remain couched in heterosexual monogamy. There are some inherent contradictions in what it wants to hold as true, but it’s also honest in that it offers a space for those truths to coexist. Holderman and Simms’ script navigates those moments capably enough.

Ultimately, “Book Club: The Next Chapter” is about finding balance: between reading the signs and controlling your own narrative, between taking a leap of faith and putting in the hard work. Most importantly, it’s about putting your own desires first and having the bravery to take the reins, whether that means marriage or a rendezvous in a canal with a handsome professor of philosophy. Either or both can be the right choice. It may be treacly and unrealistic, but “Book Club: The Next Chapter” has heart and soul, and it’s as sweet and quaffable as an Aperol spritz on a hot day.

Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

'Book Club: The Next Chapter'

Rated: PG-13, for some strong language and suggestive material Running time: 1 hour, 47 minutes Playing: Starts May 12 in general release

More to Read

16 romance novels to heat up your summer

May 31, 2024

Shhhh. The Silver Lake Reading Club has started

May 29, 2024

Independent booksellers continued to expand in 2023 even amid slow industry sales

May 23, 2024

Only good movies

Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Martin Mull dies at 80: The comic actor, ‘Roseanne’ star and painter’s life in headlines

June 28, 2024

Review: ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ is the rare prequel that outclasses the original for mood

Hollywood Inc.

Judge denies Alec Baldwin’s motion to dismiss ‘Rust’ case, allowing trial to proceed

Review: In ‘Last Summer,’ an illicit relationship takes root in all its messy provocation

• Entertainment
• Celebrities
• Ticket Sales

Recommended

Johnny Oleksinski

‘book club: the next chapter’ review: hated it, cover to cover.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

The plot of “Book Club: The Next Chapter” is set in motion by a line I hope to never hear in a fluffy comedy again: “The travel ban has lifted! And I think we should all go to Italy!”

Great — more pandemic-tainment to depress the masses.

Sharon (Candice Bergen) then piles on another upbeat reason for a European vacation with her three best buds of 40 years: “I’m retired and my cat is dead!”

BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER

Running time: 107 minutes. Rated PG-13 (some strong language and suggestive material.) In theaters.

Womp, womp.

“The Next Chapter” — and, please, be the last — heads to Rome, Venice and Tuscany while clumsily switching between sad and stupid. It’s a “Dumb and Glummer” of a sequel that confuses the worst punchlines ever for Prosecco fizz, when the groaner jokes go down like lukewarm vodka.

At the start, during a montage of lockdown Zoom call book club meetings, one of the women says of Sally Rooney’s novel, “Should we talk about ‘Normal People?’”

Replies Sharon, “Something we have little experience with.” 

She isn’t funny, but she is right. The quartet of wacky women in their seventies decide to head to Italy when free-spirited Vivian (Jane Fonda) reveals she is getting married to her beau Arthur (Don Johnson). 

Everybody has been stuck in a rut lately. The husband of Carol (Mary Steenburgen) is recovering from a heart attack, so she’s terrified of leaving him alone. And although Diane’s (Diane Keaton) relationship with Mitchell (Andy Garcia) has intensified, the widow is still clinging onto the memory of her late husband. Sharon is single, bored and catless.

So off they jet to Rome to shake it off and give Vivian a bachelorette trip we’ll quickly forget.

The mischief the women get into — getting robbed at a train station, being arrested by a grumpy cop, Sharon hooking up with a philosophy professor on a boat — is never hilarious or dramatic or touching or even remotely consequential. 

Every dull development is underscored by the most forgettable electronic keyboard preset music imaginable.

One of the few factors working for “Book Club” is that it’s a shade less moronic than the similar “ 80 For Brady ,” which also starred Fonda in a group of trekking golden girls. Sally Field does not partake in a Guy Fieri chili eating contest here. Thank God.

But “Brady,” at least, had a point and a solid aim — to get to the Super Bowl. “Book Club,” co-written and directed by Bill Holderman, is flighty and meandering and lacks the confidence to settle on a tone. Like with all these schlocky retiree comedies, it’s a downer to see such talented actresses so carelessly wasted.

Not to mention debased by sub-sitcom material.

There’s the wedding dress fitting montage in which snarky former judge Sharon keeps telling a kind Italian fashion designer how ugly his dresses are.

And who can forget the Venice dinner party scene in which the British professor hops onstage and warbles “Gloria” by Laura Branigan? Then, after he gets it on with Sharon on a Venice canal, he is never seen or mentioned again. 

And then there’s my favorite part of all:

“Love brought us here,” sappily says one of the women at the end of the movie.

Another quickly replies, “Love … and the wonderful people at Lufthansa!” 

If you needed any more proof that “Book Club: The Next Chapter” was nothing more than an empty-head payday, there it is.

Share this article:

‘Book Club 2: The Next Chapter’ (2023) Movie Review

Book Club 2: The Next Chapter is a film directed by Bill Holderman starring the great Diane Keaton , Jane Fonda , Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen .

Their names, the only great thing about a movie so sugary that it becomes bland (or even unhealthy).

Movie Review

A movie that starts with a Claudio Coello’s quote (this is a red flag already) and continues as such, giving us a lesson of sugary friendship with nice music and four women who stubbornly tell us, scene after scene, that they still have something to say… but without telling us anything at all during the whole movie.

Book Club 2: The Next Chapter is kind and silly as it can be, it couldn’t be otherwise. The first was a success based on these premises and no wonder that kindness (and silliness) are precisely their vicious weapons for marketing a not at all subtle sequel.

A whole great cast of actors who were great in great films and who now, in this lesser movie, look shrunk. And making a landscape-film, they couldn’t, of course choose any other destination than real Italy.

Even the photography is treated with that telefilm touch and the script is so mid-afternoon that it can’t help but tire us out in just five minutes. The kind and sappy music in the vein of Terms of Endearment doesn’t help (and beware, that one at least had Jack Nicholson playing wild, the best of the movie).

Here not even the prompter “goes wild”: everything has to be topical, kind and suitable only for grandmas (and grandpas) who don’t want surprises in their lives and can’t bear more risks than running out of tea.

Well, nothing, no stirs, no surprises, no identity, lifeless.

No one is to blame, the movie had to be like that, no fun.

Four best friends take their book club to Italy for the fun girls’ trip they never had. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.

Diane Keaton

Candice Bergen

Mary Steenburgen

Andy García Don Johnson Craig T. Nelson Giancarlo Giannini

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Related Articles

“The Watchers”: A Unique Spectacle by Ishana Shyamalan

“A Family Affair” on Netflix: A Gentle Comedy Starring Two Big Names to Forget The Worries

“The Whirlwind”: A Riveting Korean Political Thriller on Netflix

“Drawing Closer” – A Netflix Film: A Tragic Tale of Love, Beauty and Death in the Japanese Key

Latest articles.

Ahnnlee Lee: Puck, Nocturnal Paintings – ONE AND J. Gallery, Seoul

American Comedic Icon Martin Mull Passes Away at 80: A Legacy Remembered

Experience the Stone Scripts at Sam Moyer’s ‘Ferns Teeth’ Exhibition

Big Moxi Games Releases Wardens Rising Demo

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

• Children's/Family
• Documentary/Reality
• Amazon Prime Video

More From Decider

'The Bear' Season 3 Review: Carmy Secures His Role as The Chairman of The...

R.I.P. Martin Mull: 'Clue' & 'Roseanne' Star Dead at 80

Every Kevin Costner Movie Is A Western (Even When They're Not)

Nicole Kidman Tore Zac Efron’s Shirt Off in One Take, Says ‘A Family...

Is Kevin Costner Dooming Himself To Be The Captain Ahab of Westerns With...

Heidi Klum Strips Down On 'Hot Ones', Leaving Host Sean Evans Speechless

Vanna White Struggles Working With Ryan Seacrest And May Exit 'Wheel Of...

'Hit Man' True Story: What to Know About the Real Gary Johnson Who...

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to copy URL

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ on Peacock, in Which Four All-Time Greats Battle Moronic Cliches

Where to stream:.

• Book Club: The Next Chapter

R.I.P. Dabney Coleman: ‘9 To 5’ Actor Dead At 92

Arnold schwarzenegger reveals he got a pacemaker and jokes that he “became a little bit more of a machine”, stream it or skip it: ‘the greatest love story never told’ on prime video, the documentary portion of jennifer lopez’s three headed, heart-shaped media blitz, stream it or skip it: ‘this is me…now: a love story’ on prime video, a maximum music video (or mini movie maybe) with new j-lo jams and her musings on love.

Shoulda called it Book Club 2: Electric Bookaloo , but no, instead it’s Book Club: The Next Chapter ( now on Peacock ), a bland, vaguely cutesy title that’s perfectly accurate in its representation of the underwhelming contents therein. The movie is a yeah-sure-why-not sequel to 2018’s medium-sized hit (read: financially successful enough to warrant a follow-up) Book Club , which starred Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Diane Keaton as thick-as-thieves pals who spice up their thing in the title of the movie by reading 50 Shades of Grey , which inspires them to live their lives a little more boldly. This time around, there’s less book-reading and more farting around in Italy, which is certainly a lovely place in which to fart around, but will it yield anything resembling viable comedy? Ehh.  

BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Welp. The book club had to go virtual. Thanks a lot, pandemic! So here we are, the screen divided into video-chat quadrants: Diane (Keaton) in her vast kitchen, Vivian (Fonda) in her colossal kitchen, Sharon (Bergen) in her cavernous kitchen and Carol (Steenburgen) in her behemothic kitchen. GET US OUT OF THESE F—ING KITCHENS. They’re too clean and tidy and huge and stupidly enormous and enormously expensive-looking. What are our principals reading? Who cares! Diane can’t get her webcam to work right and she doesn’t know she’s muted and Carol learned to play the accordion and someone decided to get a pet macaw and there was some knitting and food-pickling and someone load these drecky jokes into a cannon and light a short fuse, please. 

And then finally, at last, Covid goes away and is never mentioned again, just like real life. The four women meet in one of their kitchens, which is big enough to host not just a book club, but a book reading by Elizabeth Gilbert herself. They hug and chatter and catch up and Vivian drops a big one: She’s getting married to Arthur (Don Johnson). After all these years, her first wedding. There’s a rock on her hand the size of a very small kitchen, which is still very big for a diamond. Squeals, gasps. How will they celebrate? Well, remember when they were younger and they planned a trip to Italy that was derailed when Diane got pregnant? Well, life’s too short and they’ve been cooped up by the pandemic too long and it’d be a perfect bachelorette party for Viv so it’s time to fulfill that long-delayed vacay. Book it!

Before we get to the travel montage that features not a single flight cancelation or delay or hiccup and therefore forces us to suspend our disbelief on a string of frayed dental floss over Springfield Gorge, we have to catch up with the one thing in the other characters’ lives that’s worth mentioning. Diane is in a great relationship with Mitchell (Andy Garcia) but still lugs her late husband’s ashes with her to Italy. Sharon, a judge, officially retired from the bench and seems to be fairly horny but that’s never quite made explicit. And Carol’s restaurant was shuttered during Covid, and her hubby Bruce (Craig T. Nelson) is recovering from a heart attack. Wait. That’s two things going on with Carol. Someone rewrite this lousy screenplay. There’s simply too much going on here!

Anyway, they’re in Italy now, so fire up the shenanigans: Gawking at art (read: statues of naked men whose exposed marble wangs are the object of one-liners), shopping for Viv’s wedding dress, fancy dinners, stolen luggage, getting arrested and ending up in jail, train rides, boat tours of Venice, a sexual misadventure or two, running into an old chef pal from 40 years ago (cue up that joke about his meatballs), heart-to-heart conversations, etc. You know how this utterly inconsequential shit goes.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Be grateful that 80 for Brady makes Book Club 2 look like Tokyo Story . But that’s still not an endorsement.

Performance Worth Watching: Steenburgen maintains some poise and dignity even during a scene in which she and a former beau get tipsy and covered with flour as they grunt and moan while kneading bread dough in a moronic visual double-entendre. It’s quite the feat. 

Memorable Dialogue: Pick an egregiously awful double-entendre, any egregiously awful double-entendre, usually delivered by Fonda, e.g., this one: “I think someone’s bouche is already quite amused.” 

Sex and Skin: None.

Our Take: There’s plenty of eating and loving and praying happening here, although it’s the audience that’s doing the praying – praying for this movie to dredge up a decent joke for its effervescent stars to deliver, or in lieu of that, for it to end. The former doesn’t really happen and the latter happens eventually, after 107 minutes, which isn’t that long in the scheme of things, but is absolutely too long to watch this cast of accomplished pros gut it out through a puerile script. Steenburgen, as I mentioned, maintains a firm grip on the life preserver, but her castmates don’t fare as well; Bergen’s given a nothing of a character and looks awkward delivering dead zingers, and Keaton and Fonda are asked to rely on their threadbare personae of a dithering airhead and saucy lifelong bachelorette.  

On paper, this quartet of old pros should be able to work with anything you put in front of them. But director Bill Holderman, co-writing with Erin Simms, achieves the remarkable feat of making them look by turns sumptuous in robust wardrobes and gorgeous postcard locales, and silly executing the flighty, frequently nonexistent story and delivering fetid dialogue. These characters deserve to be celebrating their friendship with dignity and easy humor, and it’s a gross injustice to who they are – and who’s playing them – to have them wander through Italy’s impeccable museums looking at nude statues and reciting dick jokes that even Beavis and Butthead would find idiotic. At best, Book Club Part Deux is gratingly mediocre, and at worst, it’s simply embarrassing for everyone involved. There are enjoyable and respectful ways to present stories starring women of a certain vintage, but this is not it.

Our Call: A glitchy Zoom call with these four actors discussing The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog would be funnier and more engaging than this. SKIP IT. 

• Stream It Or Skip It

Martin Short Jokes That Melania Trump Only Had One Expectation In Her Marriage To Donald Trump — And He Didn't Meet It

Vanna White Struggles Working With Ryan Seacrest And May Exit 'Wheel Of Fortune' Early: Report

What Time Will 'Down In The Valley' Be on Starz? Release Date, Streaming Info, How To Watch

'The View' Stumbles Into A Commercial Break As Whoopi Goldberg Pretends Her Mic Was Cut By Producers: "Is This What We're Doing?"

R.I.P. Martin Mull: 'Clue' & 'Roseanne' Star Dead at 80

'Live's Kelly Ripa Complains That Mark Consuelos Expects Her To "Keep Up" While On Runs Together: "Makes It Deeply Unpleasant For Me"

'My Lady Jane' Review: Prime Video's Revisionist, Romantic Look at the Nine-Day Queen

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

The Big Picture

• Lady Jane Grey's story gets a modern twist in Prime Video's My Lady Jane , embracing its lead's independence without sacrificing her romantic plot.
• The series mixes comedy and heart through nods to history as well as its diverse ensemble cast.
• Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel shine with fantastic chemistry in this delightful, alternate-history tale.

I can't remember when I first heard the story of Lady Jane Grey . At first, I thought it was included in the historical notes of Scholastic's Royal Diaries book about Elizabeth I, but it's not (and yes, I did just go check). All I know is 1) I was young, probably not much older than 11, and 2) It freaked me out to no end. An unwilling young woman suddenly made Queen of England, and, within nine days, found guilty of crimes and executed by her cousins? It seemed supremely unfair. It wouldn't be until 2016 that the Nine Days Queen finally earned an opportunity for some justice with Bodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand , and Jodi Meadows ' novel My Lady Jane , which has now been adapted as a delightful new series for Prime Video .

My Lady Jane (2024)

What is 'my lady jane' about.

Like the novel, My Lady Jane makes it clear from the jump that it is an ahistorical retelling of the life of Lady Jane Grey ( Emily Bader ). The series kicks off with a quick summary of history as we know it, then immediately and explicitly dismisses it in favor of the story it wants to tell instead. Things begin in the lead-up to Jane's marriage to Lord Guildford Dudley ( Edward Bluemel ) , an affair arranged by her extremely meddlesome mother, Lady Frances Grey ( Anna Chancellor ), and Guildford's scheming father, Lord Dudley ( Rob Brydon ).

With no way out of this arrangement — fortunately for them, they're both hot — the show then follows Jane as she and her husband try to make the best of their new circumstances. She's named heir to the throne of England by her cousin Edward VI ( Jordan Peters ), much to the chagrin of his sister, Princess Mary ( Kate O'Flynn ), and her chief advisor, Lord Seymour ( Dominic Cooper ). Jane also becomes mired in the ideological tensions of this alternate timeline — the tensions between Ethians (those who can change into animals at will) and Veritys (those who cannot).

'My Lady Jane' Doesn't Sacrifice Romance in the Name of Independence

Something I've seen happen far too often for my liking — be it in general discourse with people in my day-to-day life, or in media itself — is the idea that romance and independence/character growth are somehow mutually exclusive. Look no further than the "subversion" of the princess trope we see in Hulu's The Princess or Netflix's Damsel , or the fact that early concept art for Disney's Wish included a romantic subplot for its heroine, all because it would undermine their respective story arcs somehow. There's also commentary we hear from actors, or from viewers, indicating that a heroine cannot possibly want love because she is "more" than that; she doesn't need a romantic interest, she's simply too independent. Any romance novel , particularly one published in this day and age, is proof enough that, when written well, a love plot and a strong sense of character can actually work hand-in-hand to strengthen the story.

Our introduction to Jane comes as she's working in her little at-home laboratory, with simply no time or inclination for marriage. Her personal wishes were not a concern in and of themselves. My only worry was that the show would pursue this girlboss angle to its tried-and-true conclusion: sacrificing romance in the name of personal independence, as though the two cannot possibly coexist. And before anyone throws the "well, historically speaking" at me, this is a story where people also turn into animals on a whim. Imagine my surprise when her arranged marriage to Guildford — who is about 17 different book boyfriend tropes wrapped into one charming package —is given equal importance to everything else going on.

Trust me, the marketing is not luring you in with false promises. When it plays up the swooniness of Jane and Guildford's relationship, that's because it's a huge part of the story. Their feelings for each other are actually inextricable from the drama at large. The plot does not work without the romance. On the flip side, the romance does not work without Jane's interests and aspirations, which is part of what not only brings them together but keeps them together. I wish I could say that this is something we can just take for granted, but I really can't. It's a massive advantage for the show to really lean into the romance, as well as all the delicious tropes — forced proximity and arranged marriage chief among them — because Bader and Bluemel have fantastic, simmering chemistry that would have been utterly wasted on a story that saw no value in spotlighting it at every turn.

'My Lady Jane' Balances Comedy With Heart

With story elements like "people turn into animals sometimes" and "real history is stupid, let's do it our way," it's safe to say that My Lady Jane is not a series that takes itself too seriously , and every single actor is wonderfully in on the joke. O'Flynn and Cooper are wonderfully over-the-top villains, and Chancellor and Brydon's scheming would put the likes of Bridgerton 's Portia Featherington ( Polly Walker ) to shame. Save for a few less successful toilet humor jokes, the series' comedy is absurd and laugh-out-loud funny. It's anachronistic in the vein of A Knight's Tale , most obviously reflected in the music and the language, and in the sort of way more productions should embrace.

My Lady Jane also follows the modern — and honestly overdue — trend of presenting a historical setting populated by a diverse ensemble . Unlike something like Bridgerton , however, which made that diversity a part of the story — sometimes successfully, sometimes less so — My Lady Jane takes more of a 1997 Cinderella approach: it is what it is, and you will roll with it, as the narrative will not stop and hold your hand through the idea that history was not lily-white. I cannot speak for everyone, but I personally enjoy seeing myself and others like me reflected in a story incidentally: a part of the world, but not so strange a part of it that we feel it must be drawn attention to within the narrative.

It's been a long time since I read the book, so I don't remember it well. The humor of the series does fall in line with that of the book, some of the story elements are similar, though I can't recall the source material well enough to speak to how good an "adaptation" the series is. What I can say is I walked away with the same feeling I had then. My Lady Jane fully embraces the heart and the message of the story it is trying to tell , with comedy and romance woven in masterfully. In the end, isn't that all we want in an adaptation, anyway?

Prime Video's My Lady Jane is a delightful, romantic series that presents an alternate take on English history.

• Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel have fantastic, romance novel-level chemistry.
• The concepts of Jane's desire for independence and for romance are not mutually exclusive.
• The series is laugh-out-loud funny but also clearly has something to say.

My Lady Jane premieres June 27 on Prime Video.

Watch on Prime Video

More From Forbes

‘kalki 2898 ad’ scores third-highest opening for an indian film.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Indian stars Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Prabhas on a poster of Nag Ashwin's new film, ... [+] 'Kalki 2898 AD'.

The much-awaited epic, Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD has made a record-breaking start at the ticket windows. According to the producers, Vyjayanthi Movies, the film made $23 million on the first day of its release - Thursday, June 27. The movie features Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Deepika Padukone i n important roles.

Day One At Box Office

In Indian markets, the Hindi version of the film made more than $3 million opening while the combined figure for all languages in India stood at nearly $11 million. Apart from Hindi, Kalki 2898 AD has released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Nearly $7 million collections (out of the India gross of $11 million) came from telugu version of the film while the Tamil version scored slightly more than $3 million.

Kalki 2898 AD

Apart from the lead actor Bachchan, Padukone, Prabhas, and Haasan, the new film also stars Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur, Dulquer Salmaan, Anna Ben, and Brahmanandam in special roles.

Written by director Ashwin himself, Kalki 2898 AD takes inspiration from the Hindu mythological character Ashwatthama who needs to protect humanity some 6000 years after the legendary war of Mahabharat in India’s Kurukshetra.

Advance Bookings

The makers of Kalki 2898 AD had opened advance bookings for the film a few days ago and it managed to score big numbers. The Indian ticketing and entertainment platform BookMyShow alone registered a booking of 1.5 million tickets for the Bachchan-starrer. COO - Cinemas at BookMyShow Ashish Saksena says, "This tremendous response reflects the film’s widespread appeal and keen anticipation among diverse audiences. Audiences across the length and breadth of the country are demonstrating remarkable enthusiasm for all languages, with ticket sales for the Hindi version growing exponentially, and the Telugu version naturally leading the charts. Cities such as Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Tirupati show significant interest, followed closely by Warangal, Vijayawada, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Pune, highlighting the film’s extensive geographic reach.”

After Initial Success, Helldiver’s 2 Has Lost 90% Of Its Players With No Signs Of Recovery

The world’s best ipa—according to the 2024 world beer cup, microsoft windows deadline—you must update your pc by july 4.

Saksena also highlights how single-screens contributed to figures: “Kalki 2898 AD has garnered spectacular interest from audiences opting to watch the mass entertainer at single-screen theatres, contributing to a massive 60% of ticket sales on BookMyShow so far. With the film’s extensive reach encompassing diverse audience segments, including both multiplexes and widespread single-screen presence, the potential it holds knows no bounds. Close to 45% cinephiles have opted for 3D and IMAX formats of the film, gunning for the immersive big screen experience.”

“The buzz surrounding this sci-fi spectacle with a gripping futuristic narrative is fueled by a stellar ensemble of actors. High production values and cutting-edge special effects have further amplified expectations, positioning it as a landmark in Indian cinema.”

Given the initial buzz for the film, producer and film business analyst Girsh Johar also expected the Kalki 2898 AD to open around $20-23 million at the global box office.

What worked in favor

Critics and audiences alike have all praised the Hollywood-style dystopian sci-fi theme of Kalki 2898 AD . However, mixed reviews about the film suggests that the film lacks an emotional connect, unlike RRR or Bahubali . It falters in the department of the screenplay. Ashwin has managed to create a dystopian future using visuals that Indian audience has only seen in Hollywood films.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Kalki 2898 AD

A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces. A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces. A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces.

• Amitabh Bachchan
• Kamal Haasan
• 339 User reviews
• 29 Critic reviews

• Ashwatthama

• Supreme Yaskin

• Commander Manas

• Rajan - Bhairava's Landlord

• Counsellor Bani

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia The most expensive Indian film in history.
• Soundtracks Bhairava Anthem (Telugu) Music by Santhosh Narayanan Lyrics by Ramjogayya Sastry Vocals by Deepak Blue & Diljit Dosanjh

User reviews 339

• Jun 26, 2024
• When was Kalki 2898 AD released? Powered by Alexa
• June 27, 2024 (United States)
• Kalki 2898-AD
• Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
• Vyjayanthi Movies
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• ₹6,000,000,000 (estimated)
• Jun 30, 2024

Technical specs

• Runtime 3 hours
• IMAX 6-Track
• Dolby Atmos
• Dolby Digital

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.