Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Bill Holderman, Paramount Pictures, M 104 Minutes.
Rarely does one see so many distinguished academy award winners and nominees in such a delightful movie as that directed by producer Bill Holderman (‘A Walk in the Woods’) in what is his first feature film.
Essentially it focuses on the changing lifestyles of four lifelong friends Diane (Diane Keaton –‘Hampstead’), Vivian (Jane Fonda –‘Klute’), Sharon (Candice Bergen –‘Home Again’) and Carol (Mary Steenburgen –‘Last Vegas’) on reading the controversial “Fifty Shades of Grey” at their book club meeting.
Initially the movie provides an insight into the characters themselves introducing Diane as a recent widow following her 40-year marriage and her two daughters’ overprotection, unlike the vibrant Vivian enjoying having regular flings with men.
Sharon on the other hand is a respected judge resentful of divorced husband Tom (Ed Begley –‘Lucky’) in leaving her for a younger woman while Carol’s marriage to Bruce (Craig T Nelson –‘Gold’) is facing a challenging time in their love-life.
After reading the notorious novel they decide to live their life to the full once Diane meets the dashing Mitchell (Andy Garcia –‘Geostorm’), an airline pilot, despite her daughters’ pressure to move closer to them in Arizona.
Then follows Vivian’s sudden encounter with Arthur (Don Johnson –‘Django Unchained’) a former flame who wastes no time in asking her for a date just as Sharon goes on an online dating site.
In her search for a prospective date involving an amusing vetting process, Sharon settles on the affable George (Richard Dreyfuss –‘Paranoia’) an elderly tax accountant which sees both having a most satisfying evening.
And finally there is Carol’s relationship with Bruce that lacks the intimacy she craves and the drastic steps she takes to resolve her predicament, even resorting to putting Viagra pills in his drink.
Holderman’s first amusing venture into film making should be seen as his attempt to address the issues of ageing and sex using the controversial book “Fifty Shades of Grey” as the catalyst that stimulates the four leading characters.
Accordingly he has assembled four legendary actresses – Bergen, Fonda, Keaton and Steenburgen – to portray their characters ranging in age from 64 to 80, the latter being the remarkable Jane Fonda.
In spite of a somewhat wayward storyline there is still much to enjoy in this romantic comedy which should have been titled ‘Sex and the City for Older Women.’
Vic’s Verdict: 3 Stars
