Marval Movie

Book Club, the movie, is a good Sunday morning matinee -  beat the heat of TX summer – chick flick time killer. I went in with low expectations and came out amused. I like all of the actresses and I try to support “more mature” women.  Entertainment Weekly summed it up well – enjoy the novelty of four of the best actresses of their generation splash around in a film that actually lets them live, not just tastefully fossilize in some designated elder-citizen corner of the screen.

The book club meets monthly – federal judge Sharon (Candice Bergen), widow Diane (Diane Keaton – my fave), chef Carol (Mary Steenburgen), and hotelier Vivian (Jane Fonda). Vivian decides to liven up the club with E.L. James Fifty Shades of Grey – shocking. The group protests and groans but end up reading it secretly embarrassed and yet fascinated. From there, we have sensual re-awakenings, however contrived. Diane meets a pilot (Andy Garcia) on a trek to  AZ to see her daughters who are convinced mom should move to assisted living. Sharon tries on line dating and meets Richard Dreyfuss – a normal schlumpy guy just trying to connect. She realizes there is more to life than her cat. Vivian runs into an ex (a very scrumptious Don Johnson) and learns that maybe she should not just love ‘em and leave ‘em. And Carol works to put some spark back into her marriage to Craig T. Nelson. He’s newly retired and has issues of his own.

There are funny lines, lovely homes and décor, and great fashion. The ladies look great and aren’t plastic scary. There are some poignant scenes along with some silly stuff. This is fluff – plain and simple. I think critics gave it a solid C.  I’m more generous and was entertained – I’ll go with B.  B for Book Club