Book Club (film)

Book Club
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Bill Holderman
Produced by
  • Andrew Duncan
  • Erin Simms
  • Bill Holderman
  • Alex Saks
Screenplay by
  • Bill Holderman
  • Erin Simms
Starring
Music by Peter Nashel
Cinematography Andrew Dunn
Edited by Priscilla Nedd-Friendly
Production
company
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date
  • May 18, 2018 (2018-05-18) (United States)
Running time
 103 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $10 million[2]
Box office $88.9 million[3]

Book Club is a 2018 American romantic comedy film directed by Bill Holderman, in his directorial debut, and written by Holderman and Erin Simms. It stars Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen as four friends who read Fifty Shades of Grey as part of their monthly book club, and subsequently begin to change how they view their personal relationships. The film was released on May 18, 2018, by Paramount Pictures, received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed over $88 million worldwide.

Plot

Four women have attended a monthly book club for thirty years, where they bond over the suggested literature. Vivian, who owns and builds hotels, runs into Arthur, a man she turned down marriage to 40 years prior. They begin a flirtation, but Vivian has always refused to settle down because she enjoys her independence. Diane is recently widowed, and her daughters would like her to move closer to them in Arizona because they perceive her to be in danger because she's living alone. Sharon is a federal judge who's been single since she divorced her son's father over 15 years ago. Carol has a successful marriage to Bruce, who has recently retired but they have recently lacked intimacy.

One day, they read Fifty Shades of Grey and are turned on by the content. Viewing it as a wake up call, they decide to expand their lives and chase pleasures that have eluded them. While flying to visit her daughters in Arizona, Diane meets Mitchell and they strike up a relationship, though Diane is hesitant because of how recently her late husband died and because she hasn't dated in decades. Vivian spends more time with Arthur, but because of her fear of commitment, she tries to keep him at a distance. Carol is frustrated with her husband's refusal to have sex with her. By reading the book she begins to realize they are missing something. Sharon starts an online dating account to try and start dating again.

They continue to read Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed in their book club, while trying to figure out how to solve their problems. Diane's children continue to pressure her to move to Arizona despite her fear of leaving her friends behind. She sneaks away to see Mitchell, and her kids, concerned that they can't reach her, send the police out to find her. On discovering her at Mitchell's, her daughters insist on her moving into the basement of one of their homes, essentially ending her relationship with Mitchell. Eventually, Diane tells her daughters that though she is older, she doesn't need to be under surveillance. She packs up her belongings, leaving for Mitchell's house, where they resume their relationship.

Arthur asks Vivian to commit to being in a relationship and she declines, despite Arthur's assurances that he wants her to continue being independent. Arthur leaves for the airport, and soon after, Vivian realizes she's made a mistake and tries to go after him. She misses his airplane, but when she returns to her hotel, she finds Arthur waiting for her and they rekindle their relationship.

Carol, frustrated that her husband, Bruce, is refusing to have sex with her, tries various ways to entice him. Bruce is not receptive, and completely oblivious to Carol's frustrations. She eventually puts some erectile dysfunction medication in his drink, but he becomes angry because that is not what's causing the problem, and they continue to not have sex. Bruce admits that he's been stressed because he retired, and doesn't know what to do with himself. They eventually reconcile after dancing in a fund raising talent show together.

After a few dates with men she meets online, Sharon decides that it isn't for her. She gives a speech at her son's engagement party, where she realizes that everyone deserves to be in love and happy. She opens her online dating account again, in the hopes of finding someone.

Cast

E. L. James and her husband Niall Leonard make a cameo appearance in one scene.[4]

Production

In May 2017, it was announced Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, and Candice Bergen had joined the cast of the film, with Bill Holderman directing, from a screenplay by himself and Erinn Simms. Holderman and Simms also produced the film, along with Andrew Duncan and Alex Saks, the latter two under their June Pictures banner.[5] In July 2017, Mary Steenburgen joined the cast,[6] and in August 2017, Andy García, Don Johnson, Craig T. Nelson, Richard Dreyfuss, Ed Begley Jr., Wallace Shawn, Alicia Silverstone, Tommy Dewey and Katie Aselton joined as well.[7][8][9]

Principal photography began in August 2017 around Santa Clarita, California.[10]

Release

In November 2017, Paramount Pictures acquired U.S, U.K. and France distribution rights to the film.[11] It was released on May 18, 2018.[12]

Home media

Book Club will be released on Digital HD on August 14, 2018, and on Blu-ray and DVD on August 28, 2018.[13][14]

Reception

Box office

Book Club grossed $68.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $19.8 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $88.4 million, against a production budget of $10 million.[3]

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside Deadpool 2 and Show Dogs, and was projected to gross around $10 million from 2,781 theaters in its opening weekend.[15] It made $4.7 million on its first day, including $625,000 from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $13.6 million, finishing third, behind Deadpool 2 and Avengers: Infinity War; 80% of its audience was female while 88% was over the age of 35.[16] It dropped just 25% in its second weekend to $10.1 million, finishing fourth,[17] and continued to hold well in its third weekend, grossing $6.8 million and finishing fifth.[18]

Critical response

On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 53% based on 151 reviews, and an average rating of 5.3/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Book Club only intermittently rises to the level of its impressive veteran cast; fortunately, they're more than enough to bring pedestrian material entertainingly to life."[19] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 53 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews."[20] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it 4 out of 5 stars.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Harvey, Dennis (May 16, 2018). "Film Review: Book Club". Variety. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  2. ↑ Mendelson, Scott (May 19, 2018). "Friday Box Office: 'Book Club' Nabs $4.7M, 'Show Dogs' Bombs". Forbes. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Book Club (2018)". The Numbers. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  4. ↑ Bradshaw, Peter (May 31, 2018). "Book Club review – simulated sexcom for the over-60s". The Guardian. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  5. ↑ Hodderhose, Diana (May 4, 2017). "Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda & Candice Bergen Joining 'Book Club' — Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  6. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (July 10, 2017). "Mary Steenburgen Gets Final Spot In 'Book Club'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  7. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (August 9, 2017). "Andy Garcia Joins Diane Keaton In 'Book Club' From June Pictures". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  8. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (August 15, 2017). "Don Johnson, Craig T. Nelson, Richard Dreyfuss & More Board Bill Holderman's 'Book Club'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  9. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (August 21, 2017). "Alicia Silverstone, Tommy Dewey & Katie Aselton Cast In 'Book Club'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  10. ↑ Amanda N'Duka (August 15, 2017). "Don Johnson, Craig T. Nelson, Richard Dreyfuss Cast In 'Book Club'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  11. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 3, 2017). "Paramount Makes Splashy $10 Million AFM Deal For June Pictures' 'Book Club'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  12. ↑ Shanley, Patrick (February 2, 2018). "Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton Comedy 'Book Club' Gets Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Comedy 'Book Club' Due on Digital Aug. 14, Disc Aug. 28 – Media Play News". Media Play News. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  14. ↑ "[SOON] Book Club on Netflix, Redbox | DVD Release date".
  15. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 15, 2018). "'Deadpool 2' To Kick Up Potential $350M Opening Around The Globe – Box Office Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  16. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 20, 2018). "'Deadpool 2' Swinging In As Second-Best Opening For R-Rated Pic With $125M". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  17. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 26, 2018). "Why Is 'Solo' Flying So Low At The B.O.? Memorial Day Opening Now At $114M+". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  18. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 3, 2018). "'Solo' Hits Asteroid With $29M-$30M; 'Action Point' Condemned To $2M+: Post-Memorial Day Blues At The B.O." Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Book Club (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Book Club Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
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