Four ladies: Diane (Diane Keaton), Vivian (Jane Fonda), Sharon (Candice Bergen) and Carol (Mary Steenburgen), have been in a book club since college. The four, discover through their selection of Fifty Shades Series, how love, romance and sex still exists for them.
Diane is a sweet, widow with adult children: Jill and Adrianne (Alicia Silverstone and Katie Aselton). They want her to move into Jill’s home in Scottsdale where they have renovated their basement for Diane. They are overly cautious, believing that their mother is meant to roll out to pasture. As she reluctantly goes on a trip to visit her daughters, she meets Mitchell (Andy Garcia) who teaches her that life isn’t over at a certain age.
Sharon (Candice Bergen) is a judge that has been divorced for over twenty years. She seems to be of dry, sarcastic wit. Her life has consisted of her work and her cat. She takes her new-found chutzpah to start dating again.
Carol (Mary Steenburgen) is a restaurateur/chef, married to Bruce (Craig T. Nelson) who just retired. Before reading the books, she had been alright with the same ole’ day to day. The first novel triggered Carol to try and find their spark that got lost six months ago. Kudos to Craig T. Nelson for one of the most hilarious scenes.
Vivian (Jane Fonda) has become a rich hotelier, with years of playing the field, but had done an exceptional job keeping her romantic feelings at bay for years out of the fear of being hurt. Arthur (Don Johnson) is a long lost love that happened to show up and pursues Vivian.
The best interactions were when the ladies would gather and have the best girlfriend talks. They supported each other and they have also known each other long enough to call each other out when they need to get out of their own way.
This is an enjoyable girls night out movie. It is funny and sweet, showing that love is ageless. It touches on the different aspects of relationships. First attractions, flirtations, butterflies, fear of rejection, fear of being hurt, being there for each other. It also examines the depth of relationships. I felt as if I were part of their book club.
3/5
