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Book Club: The Next Chapter – Review
Book Club: The Next Chapter – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 48 minutes
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Sharon, Carol, Vivian, and Diane continue their book club during the pandemic via Zoom. While some deal with technical difficulties, they encourage each other to thrive through their ups and downs. Sharon retired from the bench but now dispises requests to officiate weddings. Diane lives with Mitchell but keeps her deceased husband’s ashes inside a coffee can in the closet. Carol lost her business, while her husband, Bruce, survived a heart attack. Vivian shares the grandest news when the pandemic ends, and the women can see each other face to face. Arthur asked for her hand in marriage, and they are looking for venues. The women can’t believe their friend decided to settle down with one man, and they jump for joy. As they discuss The Alchemist, Carol pulls out her college dream book (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Inside, she wrote about traveling to Italy and seeing her cooking schoolmate and his meatballs again. Sharon, Vivian, and Diane all say no. Sharon must care for her cats, and Vivian needs to prepare for the wedding. As the weeks go, each woman’s obligation falls to the waist side, and Arthur wants them to take the trip. So these four women go on an Italian eat, pray, shop trip with jail, robbery, and a surprise.
This Book Club sequel is funnier than the first (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). However, you should see the first movie because it doesn’t bother giving you a synopsis of the first. The women’s characters are well-developed, so, as the name says, this is the next chapter of their lives. Sharon is actively in the dating pool and no longer cares about her ex’s exploits. Vivian focuses on her wedding and what marriage means for her relationship, and Sharon considers life without her husband. However, Diane is still stuck on having excuses. And the women call her out on her issues, but she accepts their observations. She takes in their critique and adjusts. It’s lovely to see a healthy female friendship in a film. While you won’t run to Amazon to buy it, fans of the first should see it in theaters.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I’m retired. No need for formalities. Your honor is fine – Sharon
It’s an omen – Carol
So we must go to Italy – Vivian
Even my name is wrong at this time – Diane
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Love Again – Review
Love Again – Budget of $10 million – 1 hour and 44 minutes
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Mira kisses her boyfriend, John, goodbye and watches him walk across the street while waving to her. Then, a car hits and kills him in front of her eyes. Two years later, Mira’s writing career is at a standstill, and her publisher threatens to sue her for her advance. Mira’s sister, Suzy, convinces Mira to move out of their parent’s home and with her. Suzy notices that Mira drives John’s car. Mira says the vehicle smells like John, so she can’t give it up. Later, Suzy moves in boxes from the automobile and finds one labeled John. It’s a box of things John’s mother wanted Mira to have. Suzy rips it open. They find a recording of Orpheus and Eurydice, a record player, and an engagement ring (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Mira sobs because John never got a chance to ask her. And she puts on the engagement ring. Later, Mira and Suzi go to her favorite restaurant. She asks the owner, Mohsen, how he copes without his wife. He tells Mira that he pours two shots and talks to her nightly. It helps eases his pain. That night, she prepares two glasses of wine and attempts a conversation with John. However, talking to air feels silly, and Mira turns to their favorite form of communication: texting.
Rob works at the New York Chronicle and wants to focus on his podcast. However, his boss, Richard, tells Rob to document the resurgence of Celine Dion (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Rob sighs and listens to her music for preparation. Rob’s co-worker, Lisa, gives Rob a company phone. Rob doesn’t understand why he needs one, but Lisa and Billy urge him to take it. Rob goes home and watches a basketball game. Then, his work phone sends him a text notification from an unknown number. He reads these messages with expressions of deep longing. He wants to know more but doesn’t respond. Rob questions Celine’s lyrics during a press conference for Celine’s upcoming concert. Celine gently confronts Rob about his lack of knowledge about love. Later, Rob discovers the mystery writer will go on a blind date and decides to find her. He witnesses Mira’s date, Joel, but believes Mira is unhappy with Joel. Rob has a one-on-one meeting with Celine, and she encourages her to go after the mystery woman and find love. Only then can he understand her music. Rob uses Mira’s text to learn she will be at the opera. He waits for her and engineers a meet-cute. He decides not to tell Mira about the text, but will her heart go on when she discovers the truth (sorry for the pun)?
Based on the novel SMS für dich by Sofie Cramer, and an English remake of SMS für dich, this movie has the setup of a Hallmark original without the return to the small hometown (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). With this classic setup, the plot dives into the emotions of losing someone you love suddenly. It doesn’t hold back from the pain and devastation death can cause. Also, Rob became disillusioned by love when his fiancée left him one week before their wedding. He believes love is a choice that ebbs and flows. Viewers know it is a matter of time before Mira discovers the truth, but you wait for the ‘how.’ This plot has the classic rom-com setup and ending but has a lot of heart, music, and pain. This film won’t make your Vudu queue, but it’s worth the matinee.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Damn, I look good – John
Yea, I still have a ways to go – Mira
Because you have the presence of used underwear – Celine
I didn’t take John because he’s gone – Rob
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