W2TCH

Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)

2023 • 1h 48m • Comedy, Romance • PG-13
On October 4, 2026
#7154
7154th by Pulse movie online
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CinemaSerf on Book Club: The Next Chapter

6/10 · May 15, 2023

It feels like a way for four performers to enjoy an extravagant vacation in Italy, with someone else footing the bill, all wrapped around a story that doesn't have much substance. The narrative begins as this group reunites after lockdown for their regular book club meeting. It’s during this gathering that "Vivian," portrayed by Jane Fonda, reveals she’s planning to marry "Arthur" (Don Johnson), despite having previously opposed the idea of marriage altogether. “Carol” (Mary Steenbergen) suggests a bachelorette trip to Italy, and after some initial hesitation from "Diane" (Diane Keaton) and the unfortunate passing of Judge "Sharon's" (Candice Bergen) cat, they decide to go on this special journey. What follows is a fairly standard and undemanding comedy-drama that initially provides amusement but quickly loses its momentum. The final twenty minutes descend into something overly sentimental, prompting me to glance at the cinema ceiling and wish it would simply end. Giancarlo Giannini offers some amusing moments as a rather unkempt police chief, and there are a few brief appearances by Andy Garcia, but mostly it’s just four people having a pleasant time while those of us in the audience appreciate how lovely Venice truly is. It's all very fleeting and easily forgotten, though Candice Bergen maintains a playful attitude throughout, and Jane Fonda seems increasingly robotic as she continues to appear in films.

Source on TMDB