By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fabulous stars drink, talk about sex in racy comedy.
Parents need to know that Book Club is a comedy about four best friends (Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen) whose lives change after they agree to read Fifty Shades of Grey together. E.L. James' trilogy plays a prominent role in the movie; it's quoted and discussed several…
Lots of discussions about sex (or lack thereof). Jokes about erections, unused v
Products & PurchasesBook trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey prominently featured, as are Eargasm, Mercedes
One use of "f---ed up," plus occasional use of words including "s--t," "hell," "
Drinking, Drugs & SmokingWine in nearly every scene: The women drink it (especially white wine) a lot. In
Violence & Scariness Not presentPromotes strong female friendships and not allowing stereotypes to define how yo
Positive Role ModelsAll four main characters are role models in different ways: Vivian is a successf
Lots of discussions about sex (or lack thereof). Jokes about erections, unused vaginas, celibacy, one-night stands. Vivian shown putting on her shoes after casual sex. The friends quote from, have conversations about "hot" scenes in Fifty Shades of Grey. One character has sex in a car after a date. Another attempts to seduce her husband, puts Viagra in his beer. A husband suffers through a prolonged erection. Husband and wife rush off to have sex off camera. A new couple is shown in bed (clothed) and kissing in various places.
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Book trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey prominently featured, as are Eargasm, Mercedes cars, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Bumble, the book Wild, Honda, Buca di Beppo restaurant, Viagra, Volvo, Toyota Prius, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Smirnoff vodka.
One use of "f---ed up," plus occasional use of words including "s--t," "hell," "ass," "damn," "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation), sexual use of "come," nonsexual use of the term "lethargic pussy," etc.
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Wine in nearly every scene: The women drink it (especially white wine) a lot. In one scene, the four of them finish three bottles of wine and one bottle of hard liquor. Other adults drink beer, wine, and cocktails at restaurants, bars, parties, etc. Diane takes some sort of anti-anxiety or sleeping meds to fly on a plane.
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Promotes strong female friendships and not allowing stereotypes to define how you age. Also positive messages about healthy marriages, sex and intimacy/commitment, and how adult children and their parents interact.
All four main characters are role models in different ways: Vivian is a successful entrepreneur, Carol is a celebrated chef and generous philanthropist, Diane is an attentive and loving mother, and Sharon is an admirable and respected judge. They're all encouraging and supportive friends to one another. No notable diversity within the cast.
Parents need to know that Book Club is a comedy about four best friends (Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen) whose lives change after they agree to read Fifty Shades of Grey together. E.L. James' trilogy plays a prominent role in the movie; it's quoted and discussed several times and acts as a catalyst for each of the women to re-examine the state of her own love life. Not surprisingly, there are many obvious references to sex, several scenes of flirting and kissing, jokes about erections, and a couple of shots of couples who are either about to have sex or have just had it. Expect occasional strong language (including one use of "f---ed up") and lots of drinking (especially of white wine). Teens may not be especially interested, but the movie does have strong messages about female friendships and healthy relationships. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Book Club
Movie Review
Book Club
Official trailer
Based on 12 parent reviews
November 1, 2019Let me preface this by letting you know that I am 18 yr old who loves to party and drink. Watching the trailer on youtube made me think this movie would be lighthearted but only relatable to middle aged women. I was so wrong. This movie left me laughing and a feeling of wisdom which can only be imparted by someone who's lived their life. I found myself surprised that I could relate to the mother, who sacrifices her own life to care for other people, even if those people have outgrown their need for her care. The joy of laughing along with the women when they regale their dating adventures made me feel like i was having tea with a bunch of fun aunties. This movie is great because it does not depend on vulgarity for humour. The humour is so subtle and FUNNY because they come from moments that occur in real life. They do this in clever physical metaphors and some really clever banter, which left me impressed and thinking "I need to steal these lines". It was amazing to see strong female friendships with all support and no envy. Each personality was likeable and distinct. I recommend this movie for teenagers and above. Everyone will find something to relate to and laugh about. I found this funnier and therefore liked it more than the box-office record breaking Crazy Rich Asians.
BOOK CLUB follows four 60-something Southern California best friends who've been meeting and discussing books since they were in their 20s. Single hotelier Vivian (Jane Fonda) never demands more than casual sex from men. Federal judge Sharon (Candice Bergen) has been celibate for the 18 years since she divorced her husband. Recently widowed stay-at-home mom Diane (Diane Keaton) is at odds with her two adult daughters, who want her to move near them in Arizona. And chef Carol (Mary Steenburgen) is happily married to newly retired Bruce (Craig T. Nelson); they love each other but haven't been intimate in six months. When it's Vivian's turn to pick the next book, she gives everyone Fifty Shades of Grey. At first the women balk at reading erotica, but as they read E.L. James' trilogy, they each rediscover their "inner goddesses," whether it's through online dating (for Sharon), flirting with a handsome pilot (Andy Garcia) for Diane, or rekindling an old flame (Don Johnson) for Vivian.
No matter how you feel about the Fifty Shades of Grey books, it's a treat to watch this quartet of excellent actresses on screen together, although the comedy is only somewhat entertaining. Although it would be wonderful for the 65-and-over actresses to perform in a film that didn't involve Fifty Shades as a central plot point, it's undeniably amusing to see them banter in this Nancy Meyers-like comedy. (Gorgeous homes? Check! Keaton's trademark costume style? Check! Sexagenarian romance? Check! All-white cast? Check . ) It's also refreshing for a movie to offer the possibility that older women can be with younger men (Johnson is 12 years younger than Fonda, and Garcia is 10 years younger than Keaton) and to cast acclaimed actors like Wallace Shawn, Ed Begley Jr., and Richard Dreyfuss in supporting roles.
The characters' various love stories are unevenly played out, with Keaton's and Fonda's the most traditionally romantic, Bergen's played for laughs (she finds her suitors through online dating), and Steenburgen's somewhat bittersweet except for a predictable sequence involving Viagra and its long-lasting effects. But it's not the romances that make this film watchable, it's the supportive relationships between the women. The dialogue is authentic -- as is the high amount of alcohol consumption associated with women's book clubs (it's unclear how the characters were functional at their jobs after drinking so much wine). Two of the best parts of the movie are the breathtaking California and Arizona locations and the nostalgic soundtrack, which ranges from Paul Simon and Meat Loaf to Tom Petty and Roxy Music.
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