Some movies are heartfelt and moving despite not having much of a story at all, and Book Club: The Next Chapter is one such film. The sequel to 2018’s Book Club, The Next Chapter sees the characters on a trip to Italy as they enter the next stage in their lives and reaffirm their friendship. It’s a lovely, warm film overall, though it lingers for longer than need be and has no major conflict. Directed by Bill Holderman from a screenplay he co-wrote with Erin Simms, Book Club: The Next Chapter is fluff, but if you’re willing to go along for the ride, it will occasionally pull on the heartstrings, while also serving as a beautiful travel commercial for Italy.
The film begins by covering what the four friends — Vivian (Jane Fonda), Diane (Diane Keaton), Sharon (Candice Bergen), and Carol (Mary Steenburgen) — have been up to during the initial pandemic lockdown. Sharon’s retired, Vivian and Arthur (Don Johnson) are doing so well that she says yes to his proposal, Diane and Mitchell (Andy García) are still going strong, but she decides to take her late husband’s ashes to Italy with her, and Carol is caring for Bruce (Craig T. Nelson), who underwent an angioplasty. Throughout it all, they maintain their monthly book club discussions over Zoom. Inspired by The Alchemist, the four friends decide to go to Italy once it’s clear to do so, which is something they’ve always wanted to do before life got in the way. Doubling as a bachelorette party trip, the characters bask in their friendship as they prepare for what life throws at them next.
Related: Book Club: The Next Chapter: Cast & Character Guide
Book Club: The Next Chapter is short on plot. It’s truly one long, gorgeous-to-look-at travel commercial for Italy, but one with a lot of heart. Holderman and Simms are content to let the characters go where they please, and they do just that. Yes, there is the occasional obstacle they must overcome, but it’s all done at a leisurely pace, with the film taking care to showcase that not everything needs to be rushed. Even when the friends get honest with each other, the criticisms are accepted with a nod and a laugh. Anger and frustration is not something this sequel bothers too much with, choosing to go with the flow and follow what they believe are signs pointing them in the direction they need to go. It’s a nice sentiment, though The Next Chapter could have definitely dabbled in a bit more conflict, if only to make things a bit more interesting and meaningful.
The friends all have their hang-ups about something. For Viv, it’s wondering whether she should get married, something she’s been adamant about not doing for so long; for Carol, it’s Bruce’s health, and she becomes fearful of losing him to the point of controlling every little thing. The list goes on, but the whole point of the trip is to not only spend some much-needed time together but to gain some clarity, let things go, and live life to the fullest. The film follows suit, not worried about the details or plumping up the drama for no reason. We’re taken on a heartwarming ride alongside these lifelong friends, and it feels right to be able to sit in their light for a little while despite the story being paper thin.
That said, Book Club: The Next Chapter could have used more comedy. Bergen really nails her comedic timing, and she infuses the sequel with enough laughs to carry it through. There are certain points in the film that are frankly ridiculous, and it would have helped had they been filled with humor beyond Bergen’s line delivery. Still, the film is as lighthearted as they come. With good company and some lovely interactions, and breathtaking views of Rome and Venice, the cast seems to be having a blast, and it makes us want to join them on their journey.
Book Club: The Next Chapter has a winsome cast and a fabulous location, sprinkled with story beats that keep it going. But the writing, while not containing enough to sustain it for nearly two hours, is breezy and touching, with the cast imbuing the film with their charm and lovely chemistry. The Book Club sequel will make you feel as though you’re reuniting with old friends for some wine and life lessons, and that’s enough.
Book Club: The Next Chapter is now playing in theaters. The film is 107 minutes long and rated PG-13 for some strong language and suggestive material.
