Book Club: The Next Chapter is clearly hopeful sequel based on a some success in the first film. It also falls as most sequels do and becomes a slow, drab, silly and at times insulting weak comedy.
The four women are about to take a trip to Italy to celebrate the up coming wedding of Vivian (Jane Fonda). Problems which might be comical force the four to travel without luggage, it has been stolen at the train station.
Non-the-less they continue the journey, purchasing a wedding gown and dresses for the other three, loose a tire on the road at night and end up in jail when they believe the policeman who stops to help them is mistaken as a striper by Vivian.
Filled with a script that attempts to be sexy and comical director Bill Holderman may do his best but most of the jokes fall flat. The best involves Diane (Diane Keaton) who looses her husband’s urn and ashes which she carries with her due to some unstated obligation.
Even with a solid cast of accomplished performers, the script is dull and not interesting and produces a bland experience, even with a wedding at the end.