User Reviews

Book Club was one the surprise hits of the summer of 2018 and was a film I enjoyed a lot more than I expected. It was no classic, but it was a breezy way to spend a few summer hours. Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly if you know Hollywood, a sequel was commissioned. The Next Chapter really doesn't have much of the charm of the original and doesn't make a compelling case for existing.

There are a few laughs here and there, but not enough to overcome the mountains of painful double entendres and speeches about friendship. Everyone seems to just be going through the motions and ready to collect their paychecks. But hey, at least there is some stunning Italian scenery to enjoy.

It has scenes that make you smile like in the first episode. You can choose to watch if you want to spend a pleasant time. Watching Italy through Bill Holderman's eyes is a different pleasure. Diane Keaton and Andy Garcia go well together. I wish they would come together in a different movie. It is a great chance for us to still see these beautiful people on the cinema screen despite their ages. If I come to Don Johnson's age, I want to look good like him. It is a great pleasure to be able to watch Giancarlo Giannini in this episode. Long live Giancarlo. Thanks to this movie, I realized how much I miss Italy. Wait for me Italy, I'll be there as soon as possible.

By the way, I hope the same cast can make another episode.

This appears to be a good excuse for four actors, who seem to get on quite well together, to get someone to fund an all expenses paid trip to Italy to make a movie underpinned by the thinnest of plots. That plot sees the group emerging from lockdown when they finally manage to meet for their routine bookclub. It's at this get-together that "Vivian" (Jane Fonda) announces that she - a lifelong opponent of the institution - is to marry "Arthur" (Don Johnson). "Carol" (Mary Steenbergen) comes up with the idea of a hen trip to Italy and after a bit of scepticism from "Diane" (Diane Keanton) and the timely death of the cat of judge "Sharon" (Candice Bergen) they embark on their trip of a lifetime. What now ensues is a rather predictable and lightweight comedy drama that starts off entertainingly enough but runs out of steam quickly and permanently. The last twenty minutes take us into cheesy territory that really did have me looking around the cinema at the ceiling thinking - "oh, just get on with it". There are a few fun contributions from Giancarlo Giannini as the rather dishevelled police chief and a few cameos from Andy Garcia, but for the most part this is just four folks having a jolly time whilst those of us sitting down remember (or discover) just how beautiful Venice is. It's all instantly forgettable stuff, this, but Bergen has her tongue firmly in her cheek and Jane Fonda just seems to look more android the more films she precariously totters through nowadays.

When an AI script generator is fed "cliches about older women" "Italy tourism brochures" and "text from wine-themed decor items," this is what's spit out. I left 2/3 of the way through so I'm not technically qualified to give a full review... but I had to force myself to stay that long. Jane Fonda was particularly assaulted by the script, but none were spared. Even Italy should fire their agent over this one~ no hackneyed tourist trap was overlooked, no cliche left out. I need 118 more characters for this review to post but the movie was so dull that further criticism is fruit hanging too low. Just. Don't. Do It.

Book Club: The Next Chapter is a film so lazy it almost feels as if it were written by AI instead of living, breathing human beings. It's got plenty of zingers and the cast tries their best to deliver them as best they can, but even the finest thespians in the world can't make this dialogue sound realistic. The story is non-existent as the four lead characters go from tourist spot to tourist spot, drinking wine, telling corny sex jokes, and offering up cliche proverbs about friendship that are so stale and tired that they're gag inducing. The first film was no fine masterpiece, but it at least had a little more substance to it. This is simply a waste of a fine cast, but I hope they enjoyed their trip to Italy.

I waited for this movie with great anticipation. The actors have done fine work in the past, and the previous Book Club movie was nicely done.

But this Book Club: The Next Chapter is so flimsy it is embarrassing, mainly to women in general. As if women live in a world of teenage dreams and have no way of solidifying their identity without resorting to superficial concerns and external validations.

For instance, the constant emphasis on clothes, or on how men love or do not love the women, or on the ideal, magical trip that is supposed to liberate you, or on what the fates want for you, or on what signs you are being given about your "destiny" - all this is just so tiresome and empty.

The characters never seemed to be concerned about anything except their own private selves.

And the ending was preposterous. It made the women seem as if they were completely inconsistent.

I love and respect all of these actresses, which is the reason this movie was so disappointing--they are all way above this inane, sophomoric, UNfunny, just plain stupid script.

Unfortunately and surprisingly, the acting was not great, either--the actresses were stiff and amateurish. Many times, I wondered if the actress was actually interacting with another actress, or if she had been filmed separately, with the scene cut into the rest of the movie.

On a good note, the views of Italy were wonderful. Other than that, if you really want to see this movie, wait until you can stream it for free because it is not worth even the senior discount admission fee.

LIKES:

Decent Pace: -The movie is one of those with little thinking, just a girl adventure in Italy and trying to live life to the fullest.

-That allows for an entertaining and engaging pace that I really enjoyed, and helped blunt some of the emotional moments lost to me.

-And with that fun and the other factors this movie is just a simple film to watch, which sometimes is all you need in a movie, and one that makes revisiting the film possible in the future.

Italian Covers of Famous Songs -I'm a man who likes to see music applied to the movies, and I was not disappointed by this film's track and selections.

-For one thing, it's a nice blend of songs that have a wide variety to enjoy from romantic ballads to the upbeat dance numbers you just got to remember from various decades.

-Not enough, then how about good utilization to add some great transitions and atmosphere to several moments that often fit just the right tone.

-Still not enough? No, worries, because they even have it in Italian which is poetic, fun, and in my case helping play a personal game of name that tune.

-It all works to the theme of the movie and the destination and I loved that piece and how it brought a little culture and continuation to the movie.

Sweet -The movie is another chronicle of life that I personally enjoyed and appreciated. It covers a lot of good morals, but the big component is... it's very sweet.

-One part comes to the friendship of the movie and seeing just how much they are there for each other, and just how good a friendship can be.

-I enjoyed seeing those touching moments come out, seeing them just be there like a sisterhood and have each other's backs, which for a softy like me is something I enjoy.

-And the whole finale is a sugary sweet finish that these movies are famous for, that I believe many will enjoy in that a simplistic and fun ending still holds some merit.

The Acting Is Good For the Movie -This movie certainly strays from the theatrics and the mannerisms that award shows thrive on.

-Instead, the movie is all about being fun, and the movie has a great cast to accomplish much.

-The extras and secondary characters are great. Their time is mostly worth it, they often have to say very little to do a good job with their comedy and roles.

-But the leading ladies deserve the nod for what they accomplished in this movie and the simple fun they had for everyone to be pulled into the movie by some degree.

-Keaton is wonderful as the neurotic and flakey character, cautious, but innocent, and so fun to watch and balance the other more verbose characters. She's got the klutz humor down very well.

-Fonda is well, Fonda, aggressive, sexual, and sarcastic, mixed with a little more emotion that was fun to balance out, and help unite the adventuring squad together.

-Bergen is my favorite of the bunch. She's funny, sarcastic, and just blunt that works so well with the others. I liked her character direction, and like Murphy Brown, it works to have that edge that was very fun and enjoyable as she unleashed her rough views on them.

-And Steenburgen was cute, fun, and the Italian accent worked well for her, giving us the most of the sincere drama and feelings that tied more of the groups tales together in that sweet way.

The Comedy -It's a diverse array of cards to play that may not be the most expansive, but works for the nature of the movie.

-I already mentioned sarcasm was a staple, with Bergen and Fonda being the leaders of this , with two twists that work well.

-Keaton and Steenburgen are the clumsy, awkward, embarrassing types of humor. It's cute, innocent and fun, working to make you blush a bit from the accidents, but laugh at the relatable antics.

-Other characters fuel the dialog, which though simple, really does work in the grand scheme of things and made for a balanced experience that was just low key and easy to follow.

The Ambience -And the movie really soars in helping bring the Italian landscape and the beautiful country that it is.

-Italy is so glorious and though it's not being there, it really was like being there in a sense of what they explored in the montages.

-The museums, the dining establishments and schools, the beautiful landscapes, and several other landmarks that were used well for the story.

-The camera work is gorgeous, the lighting natural, and it helps feel like you are on vacation in the country with them, at least to the limited degree you can find it.

DISLIKES:

Rather pointless -What I mean by this is the tale starts out one way and then rise to use a thinly veiled plot to twist it up and get little out of it.

-I'm fine with the attempts and the character study, but after all the buildup, I kind of came out of the movie finding very few points to much of the antics.

-The trouble, the attempts at character progression, and maybe even the big timeline just made this so blah that the movie felt a tad more of a waste than others.

-Is it the worst? No. However, I would have loved to see a little more development to complete this journey.

Predictable -It's a movie with a lot of leading, leeway, and foreshadowing that makes you know where the ending is going.

-Is it the worst? Again, not really, but... it also is a tad bland when the ending finishes the way it does.

-The predictability fortunately leads to a fun adventure that is not diluted, but for quality of movie, again you aren't doing yourself any favors with the plot of this movie.

-The movie also has too many conveniences factors to help smooth out the pot holes in the story, and they could be a tad annoying the further you get into the film when they aren't' used as well or planned out.

Corny Dialogue Moments -The movie has lessons to teach, and they are good.

-The dialog at times though feels corny and forced, approaching levels of a soap opera that I can't say did the movie any favors in my opinion.

-Don't get me wrong, I had fun with much of the moments and found some very good parts where the dialog is tight, fun, and drives the point home.

-But... there are plenty where something seems to lack energy, enthusiasm, and investment into the moment. Almost like these scenes were not their favorite and they just did what they had to to get by.

-I'll say these moments were a mix for me, some bad, some okay, but the inconsistency is a bit annoying when the talent is so good.

The Set Up For A Sequel -It's a movie that they can certainly do in the future, and it could be good given that this adventure moves.

-However, the sequel starts setting up about halfway through the movie and starts getting a tad bigger than I think they needed to do.

-This movie series could have fun with the next adventure, but I can't determine what I really thought about the last moments sneaking in to promise something more.

The VERDICT: The second chapter in the Book Club's adventures is one I enjoyed more due to the pacing of the film and the new playground for the women to enjoy their antics in. I loved the pace, the comedy and the fun they had with the legendary cast just really making these characters stand out and shine. You want this sort of Golden Girls meets Father of the Bride atmosphere, well you got it. It's cute. It's got breathtaking shots. And it is one of those movies of feeling like on some level you are vacationing and getting some story with it. However, like the first movie, the tale is okay and really geared towards certain audience members. Cheesy dialog meets much of the moral lessons, and the predictable plot only goes so far for reviews to say this movie works for a theater visit. Book Club Two is a very simple movie that is fun, as the trailers state, but sadly the movie doesn't do enough in terms of other components to be the most unique or dynamic movie. It's great for a group outing, but otherwise, it's best left for home viewing in my opinion.

My scores are:

Comedy: 6.0 Movie Overall: 5.0.

I don't understand the awful reviews.

This is a perfect light romantic movie.

It was never meant to be a masterpiece. It's light, funny, lively, joyous, beautiful, emotional and smart. The story is very cute and well built. The actors are incredible obviously. The music beautiful. You travel with them and you have a good time. I mean what do you want more?

I even preferred that one to the first.

It makes you not only want to visit Italy, but makes you want to fall in love, or stay single, get married or don't. It makes you wanna be yourself, listen to yourself. Which is pretty rare, particularly in romantic movies.

Quite a few reviews on here are critical, about the pacing, and indeed the content, but it shouldn't have been a surprise.

Four old friends (in Fonda's case, very old) meet up again on zoom, as they have through Covid lockdown, and then meet for real. On discovering that Fonda has agreed to get married, they decide very quickly on a "bachelorette party" (UK calls it a 'hen party') and it will be to Tuscany (once a couple of hurdles have been cleared, Keaton's partner is OK, so too Steenburgen's man with a dodgy ticker, and retired judge Bergen's cat has had a sad but timely death).

So, the group are in Rome, then decide after hearing about Romantic Venice to pop over there. This gives the opportunity to get their luggage stolen at the station. The stolen luggage though - luckily - doesn't include the wedding dress they approved for Fonda at an exclusive salon. That extended scene has them all trying on such outfits, including one ludicrous ensemble for Keaton - sorry, you'll just have to see it for yourself, looked like a demented spotty lampshade!

The jaunt to Venice brings about a few comic events, the cast share round the jokes, but arguably Bergen gets the best, possibly due to her long-running sitcom on US TV.

And then they're off to Tuscany, hiring a car this time, but a flat tyre and an apparent lack of phone signal (??) causes yet another disaster, especially as the others tell Fonda that actually they've set up a surprise wedding there. Well, not a surprise to all the audience?! Here I could add in that we did wonder if the Italian Tourist Board had helped with production costs, as the film seemed to be doing the work of about 50 glossy ads?!

There's no priest at the wedding - oops - but Bergen IS a judge and can run the ceremony, but then Fonda reveals she's having doubts, and partner Don Johnson (Miami Vice fame, still looking cool) isn't totally taken aback.

I won't give away the ending, I'll sum it all up as quite enjoyable, but it IS supposed to be a light comedy, and a bit of a road film, maybe also a 'buddy' movie. Reviews on here moaning about plot, or unlikely events, should maybe see some Buster Keaton, or Tom & Jerry, or something like 'Caddyshack' (many more) to verify that something can be funny if not totally based on real life?

The film IS aimed at a middle-aged and upwards female audience, and largely American too, judged by the little speeches that crept in about friendship, meaning of life, do it while you can (etc) - - but it's OK for all that, the hour and a half (ish?) seemed to whizz by for this cynical UK male viewer. The script could have done a little more maybe, (a couple of the innuendo jokes could be seen trimming their whiskers as they came over the hill), but the cast performed well, Keaton always seems to be playing Annie Hall for me, but that's perhaps not a bad thing. Bergen gets the best lines, IMO, and looked like she could barely move, permanently in flat shoes too, but I think she's great in everything.

To the people who apparently expected Shakespeare, or great poetry, well, buy a different ticket next time?!

A vastly disappointing film which ended up being a travelogue to promote visiting Italy post lockdown rather than being any actual story. They spent their whole budget (funded by Italian tourism no doubt) on dress design (which was quite good) rather than hire any writers who might have constructed an actual storyline between new outfits. Humour was confined to infantile sexual innuendo rather than any real response. They had here four consummate actresses and wasted their undeniable talents on fluff and advertising copy. Avoid at all costs (unless you like looking a clothes for two hours straight).

Skip this except for the scenery in Italy. What a nasty piece of junk. The comments about SAINT Mother Theresa would not have ever ever been included if they spoke about any other religious person. The vulgar sex jokes between a bunch of 70-80 yr old women was degrading and ridiculous.

This could have been a really nice film about friends as they age with dignity and " a touch of class" and travel together.

The filming in Italy was beautiful.

Also where did the book club aspect come in?

Absolutely absurd to see Don Johnson with Jane Fonda who does look good but she in her 80s.

She can barely walk in heels no less.

Sorry I saw this.

I am a big fan of the first Book Club film, so I was extremely excited of the promise of the sequel and went into it full of hope and happiness and came out of it feeling a bit blah.

I'm not sure what it was about the sequel, but it certainly did not 'gel' together in my opinion. It was very wishy washy and at times I had to force myself to continue watching it. I absolutely hate saying that, but it is true. There was a couple of laugh out loud moments. I love Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen. I just tolerate Jane Fonda. However, they do work well as a foursome and their friendship seems real. I loved the premise of the film, that they decide to take a trip to Italy together. I think so much more could have been done with that. It just lacked luster and needed a big dose of something to make it more watchable.

My mom and I went to the library today to check out two DVD's of which this was one of them. We had previously watched The Book Club and remembered enjoying that one. This was enjoyable too though I smiled more than laughed at many of the lines and scenes. But it was nice to see Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candace Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen play those characters again as they tour Italy for a bachelorette trip for Ms. Fonda's character before she gets married to Don Johnson. Nice to also see Craig T. Nelson, Andy Garcia, and Johnson back as well. Mom and I really liked this so on that note, we say Book Club: The Next Chapter is worth a look.

I enjoyed this movie! But it is not going to become a classic anytime soon. It is a fun and sometimes quite funny movie with spectactular scenery, and a cute soundtrack. Sure it is a little predictable at times, but it is exactly what you expect it to be: great mature actresses hamming it up in some of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are lots of philosophy clichès, jokes about ageing and lots of sexual innuendo, but they do not take themselves too seriously and neither should we. If you have been to Italy, you will appreciate the stereotypes and the scenery even more. For those commenting on their outfits, it seems that each of the actresses is dressing in their own personal style. Overall a corny, cute movie, that made me think about organising something like this with my friends. Cute end credits too!

As a fan of the original " Book Club", and even though slightly different story, I enjoyed the year's earlier " 80 For Brady." I had high hopes for Book Club 2, I went opening day, but ultimately, I just felt let down.

There is very little reading in Book Club 2, in fact the story or little story there is is simple; four friends head to Italy for a Bachelorette party. Something wasn't gelling with me as I watched this this morning. The pacing felt slow, felt that there wasn't enough story and detail. The sub stories weren't even exciting, ( bags get stolen, car breaks down and we walk.) Maybe for me the fact this took place in Italy or the fact the spouses had very minor developments, turned me off.

Mary Streenburgen, for me, was the only highlight. She sparkles, whereas, Diane Keaton stands , does her same acting style and more or less just phones it in.

The first Book Club wasn't great, but it was fun. The thing about Book Club 2, it feels too much of a different movie. Different tone, pacing is off and of course, the location. A good way to know if you are in a bad movie, I kept thinking what I want for dinner. Avoid or watch the original.

I don't see how this film could be much worse, and it saddens me to watch four of the most talented, dynamic, personable female actors of their generation in this cringeworthy mess. Lame jokes about being old, silly and non-romance (I celebrate any well done late-life love story, but come on!), cliche upon cliche and basically phoned-in performances all around. Sorry to be so negative, but these women deserve better, beginning with a better script. I couldn't bear to watch all the way through, so I will hope that somehow I am wrong and just stopped watching too soon. The first Book Club movie was entertaining, and I thought the characters were interesting and funny, but this one left me cold.

The gang is back together! And yes, I´m truly happy to see them again. Vivian comes to the next book club meeting with a big, unexpected and life changing announcement. She is actually engaged to Arthur. This news leads to a decision. The ladies want to travel to Italy and make it Vivian´s bachelorette trip.

In Italy they experience many things. And yes, some things are more pleasant than others. But they do have each other, and that is nice to see in my opinion.

I´m going to be honest here. I think that this movie is funny, exciting and nice. I watched this with one of my friends. We were at our hometown cinema. I neither left, yawned nor fell asleep. I can say the same things about my friend.

The lack of books and book talk is a minus for me here, but other than that I truly enjoyed this movie. I think that the cast and crew did an excellent job! I wouldn´t say no to watching a third movie with this book club. In other words I must recommend "Book Club: The Next Chapter", especially if you liked the first movie.

My mom and I went to see book club- because she liked the first one. And the whole time I kept saying this must have been written by a man. And yep, the credits rolled and it was written and directed by a man.

It was bad.

No women is stranded in the side of the road and immediately thinks who would she eat first and then shame her friend who is bigger than her. That's just one example.

Sadly, I couldn't relate with this movie.

. My 60+ mom couldn't either. A movie that was made for women about women.

The jokes weren't funny. The situations were highly predictable. I felt like the writer/director thought the women he was writing for were stupid. The humor was so watered down the only reason we didn't leave is because we enjoyed seeing the landscape of Italy. So I guess the male director got that right. Women like pretty places?

Save yourself money. If you HAVE to see it with a relative- rent it or wait for it to be free online. Not worth $10 in a theater.

My Book Club was excited to see this as we had loved the first one. What a disappointment. The women looked ridiculous in some of their outfits and the language was terrible. The double entendres were predictable and unfunny. The saving grace in the whole film were the husbands/boyfriends! The scenery was beautiful but seriously, how many women of a certain age could afford to go to Italy as a girls' trip? Or to walk around? This whole sequel seemed to be thrown together to cash in on the first movie--which was hilarious and refreshing! Those ladies were fun and funny! This time around, they seemed to be tiresome and tired. I wouldn't waste your money!

Book Club: The Next Chapter Is the sequel to the first Book Club movie from 2018. Both films are directed, part written and produced by Bill Holderman.

After the corona pandemic and having read many books because of this, the friends of the book club decide to travel to Italy. They also use this trip as a bachelorette party for Vivian (Jane Fonda) who has been proposed to by her partners. During their journey they experience many pleasant and less pleasant things.

Unfortunately, this sequel quickly comes across as unnecessary, because for a second book club film, little is read or really talked about books. The members of the club go on a vacation alone in this sequel, to admire some culture and fashion styles.

In the beginning, the film also responds to the current situation of the corona pandemic, but does little with this after bringing it up. It just gives the characters an extra reason to want to travel to Italy. During this trip they show beautiful images of famous places and buildings in Italy, but besides showing these things, little is done with them.

The story also remains on a predictable side and remains somewhat the same as many other comedy in which characters take a journey. Thanks to unrealistic or forced moments, the film also loses some of its credible sides and sometimes goes on unnecessarily too long. The movie could have been ten minutes shorter.

The acting is well done by the four actresses who play the friends. They again come across as real friends who have known each other for a long time and are friends with each other. Thanks to the lesser story, they only get little to work with or to do something special with their roles.

Due to the predictable sides, most comedy also has a predictable side. The actresses know how to portray this in appropriate ways in the film, but the final punchline is often not as funny as it could have been.

In the end, this is an unnecessary sequel, which can be fun for fans of the first part, but for a better film, they should also just watch the first part again. In the other place where the story takes place, this film remains somewhat the same as the first film.