‘Book Club: The Next Chapter’ Review: A Moderately Engaging Sequel That Should Have Been Funnier
thewrap.comIf the opening sequence of Bill Holderman’s “Book Club: The Next Chapter” is any indication we might have officially turned the page on psychological “lockdown despair” narratives and entered the (somewhat cringey) era of lighthearted “lockdown nostalgia.” That’s what the leading ladies of 2018’s lovely, if not a tad underwhelming, friendship comedy “Book Club” signal in the sequel’s opening moments, reuniting for a similarly boozy and moderately engaging adventure soaked in deep Italian reds, but not enough laughs.It’s probably easy to feel a little nostalgic for the days of lockdown.
Halcyon days for those who were financially privileged, healthy and could afford to take up new interests during that low-key downtime, like pickling, playing the accordion or caring for a new pet parrot.
The fabulous (and evidently wealthy) quartet consisting of Jane Fonda’s perennially independent Vivian, Mary Steenburgen’s fretting Carol, Diane Keaton’s formerly uptight Diane and Candice Bergen’s spirited retired judge Sharon try all these things and then some, never losing connection with one another, thanks to regular meetings via Zoom. “This might go on for two weeks apparently,” Carol suggests naively in the earlier days. (Cue the audience’s polite laugh.) “Hang on, it’s 7pm,” says Vivian at a later moment, making some noise at her window with pots and pans.
They talk about books, life and sexy stuff like “Normal People,” feeling desperate to be in each other’s real-world company again.Despite taking place entirely on Zoom screens before the opening credits even kick in, these scenes are oddly delightfu, with their cinematic sense of economy on the page and resonance around the rough realities many families, friends and the world’s.
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