So this Summer movie season is fully upon us as we get yet another example of a staple of the warmer months, mainly the other “s” word, the sequel. Sure we expect it with the big “franchise” flicks like last weekend’s MCU blockbuster. However, this one expands on a rather modest “niche” comedy that found a very receptive audience five years ago. They are probably eager to revisit their old friends, but the story needs a “hook” to increase that fan base (and to get them back into the multiplex, rather than wait for the streaming date). For this, the producers harkened back to sequel ideas of the past in which the familiar face would be in new locations (think GIDGET GOES HAWAIIAN or TARZAN GOES TO INDIA). Hey, it works for the more recent series of THE TRIP flicks. And like that comic duo, this quartet is packing their bags in BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER.
After a brief “flash-forward” (just a hint of things to come), we’re in the US of A catching up with that “literary society”. And like many of us, they had to talk books online during the pandemic and struggle with “group chat” technology. And happily, they all survived that grim time. Vivian (Jane Fonda) is still heating things up with her old flame Arthur (Don Johnson). Diane (Diane Keaton) is happy in Scottsdale, AZ with airline pilot/beau Mitchell (Andy Garcia). Sharon (Candice Bergen) has pretty much retired from the bench, only donning her robes to officiate weddings before she’s back home surfing online dating sites and tending to her cat Ginsberger. The biggest changes have happened to Carol (Mary Steenburgen), whose restaurant did not survive the “lockdown”. But that gave her more time to tend to her now-retired hubby Bruce (Craig T. Nelson), who just had heart surgery. Finally, it’s time to meet in the flesh. After the hugs and before the wine, Vivian stuns them with her engagement ring. During the “big buzz”, Carol pulls out an old diary and reminds them of the “girls’ trip” that never was. Well, since the travel bans are lifted, why not take a big pre-wedding trek to Italy? When things begin to “line up”, the quartet boards a jet for Europe. They have a blast, sampling the cuisine, shopping, and meeting new friends (naturally Sharon “hooks up’ with a silver fox) and encountering old pals (Carol reconnects with her cooking school heartthrob), and getting into wacky and often naughty adventures. But nothing in their side trips to Rome and Venice can match the big stunner that awaits them in their final destination, Tuscany. This makes for a most unforgettable getaway for them all.
Though it may sound a bit cliched, it feels as though only a few months have passed since the first story that united these terrific veteran screen (small and big) actresses. Perhaps the busiest of the four, at least this year as it’s her third release, is Fonda who shows us more of Vivian’s (I prefer her nickname “Slim”) vulnerable, even girlish side. Then she was the brusk “go-go” businesswoman with no time for romance. Now she’s taking the time to enjoy a relationship beyond her “gal-pals”. Still, Fonda’s best in those “no-filter” moments as she revels in shocking and surprising folks with her candid commentary. Keaton as Diane is also “letting her hair down’ as she doesn’t have to deal with her “hovering” daughters this time and becomes the sometimes frazzled (those computer “filters”) voice of sanity for the group. And without her irksome ex to annoy her this time, Bergen’s Candice really becomes the most daring of them, “putting herself out there” in this “unknown territory” (the locale and her retired lifestyle). Stenburgen’s Carol almost bubbles over with the joy of discovery even as she tries to keep a long-distance “spy-eye” on her recovering longtime mate. Oh, and the fellas from the last outing are just as charming as they “hold down the homefront”. Johnson is the wistfully romantic and suave Arthur, while Garcia pours on the charisma as the grizzled laid-back and ever-supportive Mitchell. And Nelson is not the butt of the jokes this time, as he has an easier time moving past his health scare than his missus. Oh, and there are a couple of international “prospects’ for the judge in Hugh Quarshie as the dapper, sophisticated Ousmane and Giancarlo Giannini as the flustered “policia” captain who butts heads with Sharon while still hoping that she’ll save him a dance sometime.
Yes, the location photography is stunning making for a great travelogue (matched with peppy local variations of beloved pop tunes), but it’s the chemistry of the quartet that keeps us chugging through the familiar foreign missteps and zany bits of miscommunication and occasional slapstick. Bill Holderman returns as the director and co-screenwriter with Erin Simms, this time cutting back on the stunned reaction shots of bystanders reacting to the main characters’ intimate outbursts (luckily) and focusing more on their warm friendship since they’re away from their usual “turf” and male partners. Sure, it often feels like two or three sitcom half-hours stitched together (and you may think of the dynamic of TV’s “GG”), but these seasoned “pros” can sell just about anything, even the ludicrous reunion “climax’ of Carol and her college “crush”. This especially goes for the big final moments, which you can see coming over the rolling hills of Rome. My biggest problem with this bit of fluff was the often harsh makeup work. I know these aren’t “spring chickens” but the overuse of cheek rouge was distractingly harsh (and there was a touch of “soft focus” used on some of the leads, but it didn’t veer into “Lucy as MAME” extremes). There are a few “cringy” moments, but there are worse ways to top off a Mother’s Day brunch (or a pre-dinner) than a trek to check in with the women of the BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER.
2 Out of 4
BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER opens in theatres everywhere on Friday, May 12, 2023
The highly anticipated sequel follows our four best friends as they take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.
Directed by Bill Holderman, Focus Features will release BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER Nationwide In-Theaters on Friday, May 12th.
Tickets are now on sale for #BookClub: The Next Chapter, starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen!
The St. Louis advance screening is on Thursday, April 27, 7pm at the Hi Pointe. Winners chosen/notified on Tuesday, April 25th.
The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Seats will not be guaranteed. Rated PG-13 for some strong language and suggestive material.
Focus Features’ BOOK CLUB 2 – THE NEXT CHAPTER, a sequel to the wildly successful and beloved 2018 comedy BOOK CLUB, is set for a wide release on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2023. Focus Features will distribute the film in the U.S. Universal Pictures International will distribute internationally. Endeavor Content financed and produced the film.
The film is written by Bill Holderman and Erin Simms, with Holderman returning as Director. The duo will also serve as producers. Executive Producers are Brad Weston, Trish Hofmann, Enzo Sisti and Andrew Duncan.
The highly anticipated sequel, starring returning icons Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen alongside Andy Garcia, Don Johnson, and Craig T. Nelson, Giancarlo Giannini, Hugh Quarshie and Vincent Riotta, follows our four best friends as they take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.
The sequels’ predecessor, BOOK CLUB, earned an impressive $68 million domestically from a $13.5 million opening weekend and $104 million worldwide.
The new comedy BOOK CLUB, opening May 18, focuses on something that has long been a favorite of women of all ages – the book club. But this comedy has something extra to offer: four legendary stars with long and storied careers. Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen have garnered enough awards and nominations, including Oscars, and have demonstrated enough star staying-power on the big screen and the small one to qualify as bonafide Hollywood legends. Yet each woman has carved out her own unique path to that title.
They have some things in common, these legendary women. Each is multi-talented, playing both drama and comedy while working with an array of big-name directors and actors. As in any long career, each has had their hits and misses, but the hits have really been stand-outs. Defying the usual rules of Hollywood, each is still a star and still beautiful, even though over the age of 65. They are all fairly tall, ranging from Fonda and Steenburgen at 5’8″ to Keaton at 5’6 1/2″. Each woman also has added producer, author, or musician to their career accomplishments and each of them has passionately pursued interests and causes beyond their acting careers.
In honor of these worthy women, and with a nod to Mother’s Day, We Are Movie Geeks is offering a brief retrospective on their careers.
Jane Fonda has recently reportedly said that her new ensemble comedy BOOK CLUB is the most fun she has had making a movie. With her long career, that is saying something but that sentiment probably reflects the sterling cast of women she worked with on this film.
On screen and off, Jane Fonda often has been a controversial figure, often outspoken, known for her political activism, and for her marriage to media mogul Ted Turner.
Born Jane Seymour Fonda in New York City in December 1937, the beautiful daughter of movie star Henry Fonda and socialite Frances Ford Seymour Brokaw had no problem breaking into movies but it takes more than a famous name to have the kind of long, stellar career Jane Fonda has had. Initially she had little interest in following her father’s profession but that changed after she appeared in a community theater production with her father, and then met Lee Strasberg and joined the Actors’ Studio. Her first film was TALL STORY (1960) and then she was cast as a fresh face beauty in a string of romantic films.
Fonda shattered that girl-next-door image when she starred as the barely-clad title character in BARBARELLA, director (and then husband) Roger Vadim’s sexy, sci-fi spoof. The film sparked controversy but it also changed Fonda’s screen image, perhaps opening the door to more serious, edgy dramatic roles. She followed it up with an Oscar-nominated performance in the dark Depression-era drama THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON”T THEY? (1969) and her Oscar-winning performance as a high-priced call girl in the thriller KLUTE (1971).
Fonda also won an Oscar for COMING HOME (1978), about a returning disabled Vietnam War veteran, and more Oscar nominations for JULIA (1977), THE CHINA SYNDROME (1979), THE MORNING AFTER (1986) and ON GOLDEN POND (1981), in which she appeared with her father Henry for the only time.
Fonda’s career has not been just about drama. She has plenty of comedies on her resume, including the quirky Western romp CAT BALLOU (1965), FUN WITH DICK AND JANE (1977), and the hit NINE TO FIVE (1980).
In the 1980s, Fonda branched out from appearing in films, and released a wildly successful series of exercise videos and books, helping spark the exercise craze. She took a break from acting from 1990 to 2005, but returned to star in MONSTER-IN-LAW (2005) with Jennifer Lopez.
In recent years, Fonda has appeared in several films, sometimes in small but pivotal film roles, notably as the movie star diva in YOUTH (2015). She also starred in a Netflix series, GRACE AND FRANKIE, with Lilly Tomlin.
Fonda has re-defined herself over and over during her long career, keeping her on top and always a star.
Diane Keaton first captured the hearts of audiences with her quirky character in Woody Allen’s comedy ANNIE HALL (1977), where her eccentric clothing style sparked a fashion trend and her performance won her an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Writer/director Woody Allen had written the role specifically for her, and given the character her family nickname, Annie, and the star’s original last name.
Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles, California, in January 1946, Diane Keaton took her mother’s maiden name for her stage name because the Actors Guild already had a Diane Hall. She studied acting at college in California but left early to move to New York and work on the stage.
ANNIE HALL might have made her a big star but it was hardly the first hit film she had appeared in. While her first film was LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS (1970), she appeared in the Oscar-winning THE GODFATHER (1972) and THE GODFATHER, PART II (1974), where she played Kay Adams, Michael Corleone’s girlfriend, then wife. She also appeared in Woody Allen’s early hit comedies PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM (1972), SLEEPER (1973), and LOVE AND DEATH (1975).
Eager not to be typecast as the quirky character she played in ANNIE HALL, Keaton followed it up with one of her darkest dramatic parts in LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR (1977), for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe. She received Oscar nominations for her work in Warren Beatty’s historic epic REDS (1981), as journalist Louise Bryant, and for MARVIN’S ROOM (1996).
Keaton was taken on a variety of roles, both dramatic and comedic. She appeared in a total of eight of Woody Allen’s films, including MANHATTAN (1979), RADIO DAYS (1987) and MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY (1993). She returned to the role of Kay Adams Corleone in THE GODFATHER, PART III (1990) but then appeared in the comedy BABY BOOM (1987), which echoed a story line from Candice Bergen’s MURPHY BROWN TV show. Keaton played Steve Martin’s wife in the hit comedy re-make FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1991) and its sequel FATHER OF THE BRIDE, PART II (1995).
Keaton had one of her biggest comedy hits with SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE (2003) opposite Jack Nicholson, for which she was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe. She has continued to work in films, while also publishing work as an author, editor and photographer. She also has an AFI Life Achievement Award.
Diane Keaton has never lost her quirky charm and irresistible likability (nor her signature fashion sense), making her a joy to watch no matter what the role.
Mary Steenburgen won an Oscar for her supporting role in the comedy MELVIN AND HOWARD. But her best known role maybe in the sci-fi romantic tale TIME AFTER TIME, where she co-starred with her future first husband Malcolm McDowell, who played a time-traveling, mystery-solving H.G. Wells.
Now happily married to Ted Danson, the star began life as Mary Nell Steenburgen in Newport, Arkansas in February 1953. Steenburgen studied acting at Hendrix College but left early on the recommendation of her acting teacher to pursue her career in New York. She was “discovered” by Jack Nicholson, who cast her in his wild and woolly Western GOIN’ SOUTH (1978) for her first movie role.
Steenburgen has played a mix of dramatic and comedic roles. She impressed audiences with her dramatic prowess playing a strong-willed mother in RAGTIME (1981), for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe. Her varied career has included films such as the drama CROSS CREEK (1983) in which she played the author of the children’s classic “The Yearling,” the comedy PARENTHOOD (1989), sequel BACK TO THE FUTURE, PART III (1990), Oscar-winning drama PHILADELPHIA (1993), comedy WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE (1993) with Johnny Depp and a young Leonardo DiCaprio, Oliver Stone’s NIXON (1995), the Will Ferrell comedy ELF (2003), and Oscar-winning THE HELP (2011). It is hard to imagine a more varied collection of films. Steenburgen has also appeared on TV, often with husband Ted Danson, in shows such as CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM.
Apart from her acting career, Steenburgen is active in humanitarian causes and is a supporter of the arts. Here’s another bit of trivia: she has dabbled in a musical career, as has Diane Keaton. Want to know some more trivia about Mary Steenburgen? She is close friends with Hillary Clinton, since the days when Clinton was the First Lady of Arkansas, the state where Steenburgen was born.
Still exuding charm and talent, Steenburgen continues to beguile audiences.
Want to know some trivia about Candice Bergen? She once went on a date with Donald Trump, when they both were college-aged. They didn’t hit it off.
To many fans, Candice Bergen will always be the outspoken Murphy Brown, the character she played in the long-running, ground-breaking TV show, but Bergen has also carved out a strong career playing comedy and drama on the big and small screens.
Like Fonda, she had a famous father (ventriloquist Edgar Bergen) and stunning good looks, which likely helped open doors in Hollywood but again she did the work to become and stay a star. Born in Los Angeles in May 1946, Bergen was raised around Hollywood glamour. She made her debut on radio at age six on her father’s show and appeared on Groucho Marx’s “You Bet Your Life” TV game show at age 12. But she also attended finishing school in Switzerland.
With her natural elegance, she worked as a model and initially seemed destined to be cast in the kind of “cool blonde” roles Grace Kelly was known for, but her feisty, feminist bent emerged early. Her first film was Sidney Lumet’s THE GROUP (1966), in which she played a lesbian Vassar-type student, and she appeared in war drama THE SAND PEBBLES (1966) with Steve McQueen. She again played a college student in the X-rated CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (1971) but then played a demure American lady kidnapped by a Moroccan sheikh (played by Sean Connery) in the historical adventure film THE WIND AND THE LION (1975).
Her career picked up steam in the late 1970s with the dramedy STARTING OVER (1979), which won her an Oscar nomination. In a small but memorable role, Bergen played the famous pioneering woman photographer Margaret Bourke-White in the Oscar-winning GANDHI (1982).
She married French director Louis Malle, 14 years her senior, in 1980 and hit it big in TV with MURPHY BROWN in 1988. She was also the first female host of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. As tough, sharp-tongued TV anchor Murphy Brown, Bergen won five Emmys and two Golden Globes over ten seasons. There probably would have been more but Bergen started declining the nominations after winning five.
She took a break from TV and movies with the illness and death of husband Louis Malle in the mid-90s, but returned in 2000 with the comedy hit MISS CONGENIALITY. Other films followed, such as SEX AND THE CITY (2008), RULES DON’T APPLY (2016), and THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES (2017). She returned to TV in 2005 as a prickly lawyer in BOSTON LEGAL, which garnered her another Emmy.
From early in her career, Bergen has also pursued a passion for photography and photojournalism, with works published in Life, Esquire and Playboy magazines. She remains an indomitable presence on the small and large screen.
Four lifelong friends have their lives turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey.
Diane (Diane Keaton) is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage. Vivian (Jane Fonda) enjoys her men with no strings attached. Sharon (Candice Bergen) is still working through a decades old divorce. Carol’s (Mary Steenburgen) marriage is in a slump after 35 years. From discovering new romance to rekindling old flames, they inspire each other to make their next chapter the best chapter.
See all four actresses in the new trailer for BOOK CLUB.
Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Mary Steenburgen are all Oscar winning actresses. Bergen was nominated for an Academy Award for STARTING OVER.
Paramount Pictures presents in association with June Pictures and Endeavor Content, an Apartment Story production, a film by Bill Holderman, Book Club.
Starring Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson with Andy Garcia and Don Johnson. Executive Produced by Ted Deiker and Alan Blomquist. Produced by Andrew Duncan, Alex Saks, Bill Holderman and Erin Simms. Written by Bill Holderman and Erin Simms. Directed by Bill Holderman.
The film opens in theatres May 18. Join the club today at www.BookClub.movie.
(L-R) Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton in the film, BOOK CLUB, by Paramount Pictures
(L-R) Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen in the film, BOOK CLUB, by Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures has released a first trailer for BOOK CLUB.
Diane (Diane Keaton) is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage. Vivian (Jane Fonda) enjoys her men with no strings attached. Sharon (Candice Bergen) is still working through a decades-old divorce. Carol’s (Mary Steenburgen) marriage is in a slump after 35 years.
Four lifelong friends’ lives are turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey. From discovering new romance to rekindling old flames, they inspire each other to make their next chapter the best chapter.
The film also features Craig T. Nelson with Andy Garcia and Don Johnson.
Okay, Summer’s pretty much done, one for the books (and if we’re talking the”balance book” or financial ledger, it’s one Hollywood would like to forget). Things were so dire, that the major studios pretty much gave up on the last half of August. But look out “indies”, they’re back with a one-two punch. On one hand (and in most of the theatres) is Stephen King’s killer clown, and for a little alternative marketing there’s this family themed “rom-com”. It’s set in the upper classes of LA with homes outfitted and decorated with impeccable taste. Sounds like the work of writer/director Nancy Myers, you say? Well actually this is the feature film making debut of her daughter. So does the apple fall far from the tree (or the expensive ceramic coffee table fruit bowl)? Let’s find out when we go HOME AGAIN.
The opening title/montage gives us a look at the story of Alice Kinney (Reese Witherspoon), well the story of her famous parents really. Her late Pop was a celebrated film maker back in the wild 70’s who married his muse, leading lady Lillian (Candice Bergen). Thanks to his restless libido they split shortly after the birth of daughter Alice. Now she’s returned to his swanky LA home to set down roots along with her two daughters, second-grader Rosie (Eden Grace Redfield) and anxious pre-teen Isabel (Lola Flanery). It’s their first day of school along with Alice’s 40th birthday. This stresses her out, in part because she’s separated from her hubby, the girls’ dad Austen (Michael Sheen), an East Coast music mogul who insists he’ll be out west soon. Oh, and she’s starting a home decorating (or is it now “lifestyle consultant’) business. Across town a trio of transplanted twenty-something movie hopefuls are being booted out of their cheap motel digs (overdue rent you know). But this will not deter the three from success. They’ve made an award-winning short and are now looking to expand it into a feature film. Producer/director Harry (Pico Alexander), writer George (Jon Rudnitsky) and leading man Teddy (Nat Wolff) have a scored a meeting that day with one of the big talent management firms. The agents have some exciting prospects for the guys, so that evening they head out to celebrate. Oh, and they’re at the same bar/eatery where Alice is also celebrating her B-day with her gal pals. She and Harry generate sparks almost immediately, despite the age difference. Drinks flow, and…they all eventually head back to her place. While Teddy and George crash on the couches, things get steamy in the master bedroom between Alice and Harry. The next morning she’s surprised when Grandma Lillian drops by with the girls to pick up backpacks on the way to school. After clumsy introductions, the guys tell her of their lack of domicile. Lillian reminds Alice of the empty guest house and suggest the guys crash there until they save enough for a new pad. Sounds great to everybody but Alice. How will this affect the girls? What will become of her budding romance with Harry? And what will happen when Austen finally shows up?
Witherspoon brings endless energy to this, her “rom-com” return, and proves to be a true team player, even when the material is inconsistent. She conveys the worry and conflicting emotions that stem from plunging back into the single world. Alice seems to be concerned that this new love will swallow her up. This makes some of the “plot beats” ring false. Throwing a “mini-tantrum” when he new beau is kept at a business meeting and misses a dinner party? That’s almost teen behavior. Perhaps it seemed a way of “jump-starting” her scenes with Alexander. After the initial flirtations, there’s not a whole lot of chemistry between the two. Unfortunately Harry’s laid-back “smoothness” becomes too aggressive and smarmy, acting as if he’s trying way too hard to seduce Alice. As for his buddies, other than “being on the make’ for all the ladies, any lady in sight, Wolff as little to do, other than getting acting compliments (we never really get to see his talents, but people insist he’s got “it’). Rudnitsky fairs a tad better as the writer with integrity to spare (the movie’s gotta’ be in black and white because, you know, for “art’s” sake), but he’s reduced to being a manic mentor for the very needy Isabel (she even calls him her “support animal”). Thank the “movie gods” for two veterans who bring a bit of comic life into this. Bergen is forward and feisty with almost no filter, who can still cut other characters down to size with a glare or a raised eyebrow. And cheers to Sheen as the flick’s hissable villain, going from passive-aggressive to pompous ass at the drop of a travel bag. Sure he’s played this role before, but he ‘s so darned compelling you forget. He fares much better than Lake Bell, totally wasted in the thankless role as Alice’s “boss from Hell”. This multi-talented actress delivers the goods as the blithely selfish diva, but she deserves a much better role, as does her co-star in the recent I DO…UNTIL I DON’T Dolly Wells as the cliché’ BFF who’s cheering Alice on from the sidelines.
As mentioned earlier this is the feature debut of writer/director Hallie Myers-Shyer, who seems to be almost making a parody, rather than an homage, of the previous work of mother Nancy (who’s a producer here). More thought seems to have gone into the home accessories than into the characters. As I said, Alice is ‘all over the place”. After the ‘dinner party incident” she goes on a blind date (getting back at Harry), and proceeds to get “blotto” in front of her more age appropriate, dullard date. This enables Witherspoon to do her best “Dudley Moore as Arthur” woozy word slur as she confronts her ex-client in a sequence that’s more “cringe-worth” than comic. As the story lurches towards its conclusion (it’s a long 90 or so minutes), they resort to the time-honored frantic rush to a big school event, which results in much hugging and mutual understanding, feeling like a rancid 70’s “dramedy”. Yes, it’s a ‘safe’ flick’s that the older relatives can handle (it’s almost a middle-aged Goldilocks and the three twenty-something doe-eyed non-threatening bears…one’s even named Teddy). A tad racy, but nothing that will shock or offend. An ultimately nothing compelling or original. Perhaps the old adage is right, you can’t go HOME AGAIN. Or in this case, there’s no interesting need to return .
HOME AGAIN stars Reese Witherspoon (“Big Little Lies,” Wild, Walk The Line, Sweet Home Alabama) as Alice Kinney in a modern romantic comedy. Recently separated from her husband, (Michael Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters.
During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live. Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways. Alice’s unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. HOME AGAIN is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create. And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.
The cast also includes Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff, Jon Rudnitsky, Candice Bergen, and Lake Bell.
Directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, HOME AGAIN opens in theaters on September 8.
WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win TWO (2) seats to the advance screening of HOME AGAIN on September 5th at 7PM in the St. Louis area.
Answer the following:
Actor Michael Sheen has recently starred in PASSENGERS (2016), as well as the upcoming BRAD’S STATUS alongside Ben Stiller and in Gareth Evans’ APOSTLE (2018), starring Dan Stevens.
Name the films in which Sheen portrayed Tony Blair and David Frost.
TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWERS AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house.
The first trailer for HOME AGAIN is here. Looks fun!
HOME AGAIN stars Reese Witherspoon (“Big Little Lies,” Wild, Walk The Line, Sweet Home Alabama) as Alice Kinney in a modern romantic comedy.
Recently separated from her husband, (Michael Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters. During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live. Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways.
Alice’s unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. HOME AGAIN is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create. And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.
In theaters September 2017, the cast includes Reese Witherspoon, Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff, Jon Rudnitsky, Candice Bergen, and Lake Bell.
Directed and written by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, the film is produced by Nancy Meyers and Erika Olde.
Open Road Films will release the romantic comedy HOME AGAIN on September 8, 2017. The film was written by Hallie Meyers-Shyer and is being directed by Meyers-Shyer in her directorial debut. Nancy Meyers is producing alongside Black Bicycle Entertainment’s Erika Olde, who also financed the film. The release date announcement was made today by Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Open Road Films.
HOME AGAIN is the story of a recently separated mother of two (Reese Witherspoon) whose new life in Los Angeles is overturned when she decides to take in three young, charismatic guys (played by Pico Alexander, Nat Wolff and Jon Rudnitsky) who become part of her unconventional family.
Along with Reese Witherspoon, Pico Alexander (A Most Violent Year), Nat Wolff (Paper Towns, The Fault in Our Stars) and Jon Rudnitsky (upcoming Relatively Happy), the film stars Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon, Masters Of Sex), Candice Bergen and Lake Bell (No Escape, Childrens Hospital).
IMR International is handling the international sales of HOME AGAIN.
