Book Club: The Next Chapter is a romantic comedy that teaches more about friendship than books.
Several years ago, I watched the movie Book Club and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Book Club is centred around four friends and how their relationships change after they decide to read Fifty Shades of Grey for their book club.
The four friends are played by Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Burgen. The first movie shows them rediscovering romance and taking a chance on love in their lives.
But last year, the sequel was released and I watched it just before Mother's Day. The sequel, Book Club: The Next Chapter, follows the same four protagonists, but this time they're taking their book club all around Italy to have the girl's trip they had once planned, but never actually made happen.
As I really liked the first film, I knew I would enjoy the second and I wasn't wrong. Book Club: The Next Chapter is a romantic comedy about love, friendship, finding yourself and making memories, whilst dropping information about The Alchemist novel, so I wanted to share my thoughts on the 2023 sequel.
Synopsis
The premise of Book Club: The Next Chapter is:
"Four best friends take their book club to Italy for the fun girls' trip they never had. When things go off the rails, and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure."
My Review
Book Club: The Next Chapter begins with the four friends - Vivian, Diane, Carol and Sharon - continuing their book club over Zoom as the COVID-19 lockdowns are in place. We see them talk about Normal People by Sally Rooney and then eventually, they get to meet face to face.
It's in their first face-to-face book club meet-up that the plans to go to Italy begin and we see the apprehensiveness that a lot of people had when it came to travelling post-pandemic. There are also bits of post-pandemic life, such as getting a new pet and not knowing how to use Zoom in the opening.
But I think the film really gets going once the four women are in Italy because that's where the wild and whacky events of chaos begin.
Book Club: The Next Chapter may not be everyone's cup of tea. For sure, it has elements that could be improved and people may think it's a film that isn't necessarily needed.
However, personally, I feel if you don't analyse it too much, you could really enjoy the romantic comedy.
When the four protagonists are in Italy, we see them exploring sights in Rome through a montage. We see them travelling to Venice and then Tuscany, shopping for wedding dresses and indulging in Italian food and drink.
There is Italian music played throughout and Italian versions of English songs, which added to the atmosphere. But most importantly, there is an undercurrent of what is really important in life.
Jane Fonda's character is known for being single, free-spirited and not wanting to be tied down, despite the engagement ring on her finger. Diane Keaton's character finds it hard to let go of the past and take the next step into the future. Mary Steenburgen's character has trouble letting go of the reins at times and Candice Burgen's character is struggling with being retired.
Throughout the film, we see each of the four women admit their worries and concerns and by the end of the movie, we've seen them make changes. They each come into their own and, whilst there are their male partners, they make their own decisions.
However, I think the theme of friendship is what stood out to me. Book Club: The Next Chapter has four friends who have known each other since they were in university. In the film, they're as close as they can be and still support each other whilst offering the "Best friend tough love" that is sometimes needed.
Book Club: The Next Chapter made me smile and it did make me laugh as well. Whilst I did prefer the first movie, I did thoroughly enjoy the sequel.
Have you seen Book Club: The Next Chapter or the prequel? If you have, let me know what you thought in the comments.
Until next time...
I enjoyed the film! Although, like you, I definitely preferred the first one. Still, both films are light-hearted, funny and romantic. What more could you want?
I really enjoyed both these films and where the first centres on their romantic relationships the second one is definitely about long lasting friendships. I’ve still got one friend I’ve know since I was 5!!! And two/three that I’ve know for 18-20 years. Hopefully we’ll be like the leading ladies in the film when we get to their age 😂