Book Club: The Next Chapter

Book Club: The Next Chapter
Starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen
Directed by Bill Holderman

While the majority of movies playing at the theaters are big budget action blockbusters, superhero films, sequels, and horror films, there's still a little niche market for those moviegoers who don't care for any of those, and most of them are the more "seasoned" people who've been around for awhile and want to see a film featuring actors of their own age doing something fun and carefree. 2018 saw "Book Club" hitting theaters, centering on four lifelong friends who come together to enjoy books and each others' lives, and it grossed over $100 million worldwide. A sequel was greenlit, but then the pandemic hit, but after it ended the four women returned for the next chapter in their "Book Club" franchise, and while it won't blow people away with its cerebral storytelling, it's still a little enjoyable film celebrating friendship, love, and zest for life no matter your age.

Lifelong friends Diane (Diane Keaton), Vivian (Jane Fonda), Sharon (Candice Bergen) and Carol (Mary Steenburgen) have endured the pandemic through Zoom calls and trying new hobbies, and have now come back together where Vivian reveals her good news: she's engaged to Arthur (Don Johnson). The girls are ecstatic and plan a bachelorette trip to Italy, where they run afoul of several hijinks from getting robbed to running into old flames and creating new ones - all the while sharing the experience with one another and growing in their love for each other.

The Good:
"The Next Chapter" centers on the issue of destiny, as the girls discuss the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and everything they do in the film focuses on this topic. Some of the girls are apprehensive about going to Italy in the first place, but it seems that destiny has shaped their plans for them. While in Italy they discuss doing one thing or another, and allowing destiny to dictate what to do. It's an interesting existential concept that we're not really leaders of our own lives but rather we go where destiny commands, but that deep theological concept isn't explored too in-depth here - and doesn't need to.

When you get veteran actresses like Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen together - again - you'll get their A-game, which they deliver. You can tell they're having a ball behind the scenes, which shows in their natural comedy and love for one another on screen. You believe these actresses have been the best of friends for the last fifty years, and you truly feel a deep connection to their characters.

The film was shot in Italy, and the natural wonder and beauty - along with the majestic man-made statues and buildings - all add to the romantic ambiance the film provides. Everything about the film is elegance personified, and gives hope to people that you can go out and experience life no matter your age...as long as you have a lot of money, that is.


The Bad:

Your mileage for this type of film depends on what you find humorous. If you think four women who are older making teenage sex jokes is hilarious, then you'll be on the floor laughing. If you believe in true love and the power of friendship, you'll find yourself shedding a tear or two. However, if you're a jaded person who doesn't find this type of film appealing - why are you watching it in the first place?

There's not a lot of exciting moments that stand out, but a film like this doesn't require one. Again, if you enjoy these type of films, you'll be entertained. However, there's nothing too exciting to write home about, a sequel that really didn't need made save for the fact that it'll appeal to a demographic that's criminally overlooked for cinemas - even though this year has seen its share of similar movies already ("80 for Brady" and "Moving On" for example).

Combining the talents of Keaton, Fonda, Bergen, and Stenburgen, you've got a pedigree that can't be denied. Between the four of them they have four Academy Awards, three BAFTAs, six Primetime Emmys, twelve Golden Globes, and one Cecil B. DeMille Award - so you expect top notch performances, and they don't seem to deliver that here to the extent you'd expect them to. However, again, this isn't a highly cerebral story or tense thriller, just four lifelong friends enjoying their time together and the loves of their lives.


The Verdict:
"Book Club: The Next Chapter" isn't one of those stellar pieces of cinematic art that'll be remembered fondly decades to come, but for those who are in the mood to see four seasoned actresses give it their all and show the power of lifelong friendship (and a few crude jokes along the way), you won't mind sitting through this next chapter.

The Score: C