The First Wives Club (1996)

Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton prove that revenge is a dish best served cold. Former college buddies, they reunite at the funeral of a dear friend who took a swan dive onto Fifth Avenue. All three discover they share the same unhappy history of husbands who dove into middle-age by dumping them for trophy wives. Forming a warring triumvirate, they decide to get even, and along the way remind themselves of long-forgotten capabilities. The action gets a little too "wacky" at times, but the gals are great. Portraying an aging actress, Hawn is sometimes a little too flamboyant, but there is much fun to be had in her flashiness, especially when she pokes fun at Tinseltown and her persona. Instead of her usual brashness, Midler stretches herself and shows us a woman who is not just unhappy, but also deeply sorrowful. Not that she isn't quick with a wisecrack, but her expressive face alone tells the story of her marriage. As the repressed and guilt-ridden spouse of a self- involved ad executive, Keaton finds her anger, and her voice, when her psychiatrist (Marcia Gay Harden) oversteps ethical boundaries. Watching Keaton grow from an ineffectual homemaker into a powerful businessperson reminds us that it has been far too long since she has done a comedy. Director Hugh Wilson smartly chose supporting players who each brought something unique to the film. However, he does not maintain the first hour's effervescent humor throughout the film, as the ending is weakened by a softening of the wives' resolve. --Rochelle O'Gorman Amazon.com essential video

Not as Sexist and Twisted as you Might Think

Here's the premise: after the suicide of a close college friend (Stockard Channing), three ex-wives (played by Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton) maneuver the destruction of their ex-husbands' careers and lives. Sounds like a great `I Am Woman' sicko-revenge trip, right? It actually is, for the most part - it's just that the film (based on Olivia Goldsmith's novel) becomes a bit excessive with its over-dramatization, far-fetched kookiness and stereotypical hoopla. The whole thing turns into a `How can we outwit these miserable men and take all their money and be really clever and coy about it the whole while' kind of story. After years of helping their husbands build hugely successful businesses, the three women are callously dumped for younger, sexier "trophy wives." What I don't understand is why these smart, business-minded, middle-aged women bothered with their husbands in the first place, or why they expel all this narcissistic energy in dealing with them! (For Christ's sake ladies, let this film be an example, learn early that all men are good for nothing!) Oddly enough, Diane Keaton's on-screen daughter is the happiest person in the film, not to mention the least dysfunctional, and she's a lesbian! The whole movie comes off like a cross between 9 To 5 and The War Of the Roses, though nowhere near as sick and deranged as the latter - The First Wives Club points out everything in light-hearted raillery. Bette Midler is excellent as Brenda, the wife of an electronics-emporium magnate, and Goldie Hawn, as good as always, plays Elise Elliot, an aging movie-star who can't get any roles -- an important issue in Hollywood right now (key word being `Hollywood'). Being a member of Joe Blow's Average America, its hard to feel really sympathetic for the character (or the real issue). So an actress can't pull down that typical 3 or 4 million any more -deal with it, get a job at Pizza Hut, or shut the hell up! Diane Keaton, on the other hand, seems a little out of place in such a `free and easy' production, though her performance is plenty good, as is Sarah Jessica Parker's as Shelly. There are also some delightful little cameos from Heather Lockear; Jon Stewart, Ivana Trump, Kathie Lee Gifford, James Naughton, Rob Reiner and Elizabeth Berkley. September 5, 2008

Sweet revenge.

The First Wives Club is a funny and charming film. Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn have terrific chemistry together. I love the premise of the film and also look for Sarah Jessica Parker and Elizabeth Berkley who play the younger women who have seduced their ex-husbands. I highly recommend checking this intelligent comedy out! May 29, 2008

The First Wives Club Review

I love this movie. Great story, great cast. It's heartbreaking, it's really funny, and the music is good, too. March 28, 2008

HUGH WILSON, OPUS 5

**1/2 1996. Based on Olivia Goldsmith's The First Wives Club. and directed by Hugh Wilson. One nomination for the Oscar in the Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score category. Three wives dumped by their husbands decide to take revenge and found the First Wives Club. Weak and harmless comedy with three good actresses but, alas, with no director to guide them. Already forgotten. March 6, 2008

One of my Favorite Movies

Such a fun movie, with 3 great actresses. All three play off each other perfectly. Enjoy! February 13, 2008

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