As Book Club: The Next Chapter begins, the four friends Diane (Diane Keaton), Vivian (Jane Fonda), Sharon (Candice Bergen) and Carol (Mary Steenburgen) are on zoom, joking About how much COVID has changed their personal and professional lives. Now, with COVID restrictions over, the ladies are ready to get together again. With Vivian now engaged to be married, they decide to go to Italy for her bachelorette party. Carol is initially hesitant, because her husband (Craig T. Nelson) is recovering from a minor heart attack and Vivian wonders if leaving her now fiancée (Don Johnson) sends the right message.
While the script is occasionally lacking, Keaton, Fonda, Bergen and Steenburgen make the most of every line. The lady’s friendship is obvious. Funny and meaningful scenes are abundant, theme of aging and its joys and difficulties is well handled. Overall, the story is fan and all the actors elevate the material.
Universal’s 1080p transfer is stunning to look at. The actresses bright wardrobe highlights the foreground. Shot largely in Italy, the views are spectacular, be it blue water, green pastures, or the architecture of Venice. Blacks are inky and dark while skin tones appear natural and realistic. The detail is sharp and vivid, offering closeups that reveal individual hairs and wrinkles. Fans should be very pleased with the look of this film.
This release comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 audio track that sounds excellent for this dialogue heavy film. Front heavy, ambient sounds such as car engines, people walking and kitchen cooking and more all sound full-bodied. Surround sound is consistently evident, and the score livens up various scenes. Dialogue is clean, clear and concise throughout. The track is free of any audio blemishes.
English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles are available.
The following extras are included:
- Book Club: Back in Session (HD, 6:04) A brief EPK in which the cast reflects on their friendship and reprising their roles.
- Still Stylish (HD, 5:21) Fashion designer Stefano De Nardis discusses dressing these four iconic women.
- The Women in Italy (HD, 5:29) The cast briefly reflects on shooting in Italy and utilizing historic locations.