Book Club

A famous cast heads up this ensemble comedy focusing on four old friends who take the outrageous decision that, despite their age, their personal lives are not over. Refusing to "act their age" are Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen, high achievers who meet up every week to discuss a literary selection. Keaton is a widow, Steenburgen a wife whose marriage has gone stale and Bergen a wealthy divorcee. They raise eyebrows when entrepreneur Fonda suggests they all study Fifty Shades of Grey. Perhaps predictably, the book impacts each of their lives in a sexual fashion but Book Club is more about finding a new way to be, rather than rumpy-pumpy. As no one grapples with poverty or illness, this comedy is pure escapism, akin to riding off into the romantic sunset. In that way, it's a perfect comedy. Deceptively simple, the film tackles awkward questions about ageing and actually answers them. Don't sneer at Book Club's simplicity: it is also nimble, empowering and funny. And there's wine in almost every scene.