Undescribable Perfection

Takes itself way too seriously

Highly Overrated But Still Good

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

The short cameo appearance of Stockard Channing as she takes leave of this life after being dumped by her husband for a younger model galvanizes three of her friends Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton to take some action other than sit on their alimony which can be a sometimes thing.Belaboring the obvious what they all have in common is that they were all first wives, veterans of marriage who get dumped by their husbands going into midlife crisis. The First Wives Club is open to any women who feel they've been put through the ringer in their divorces, don't just get mad, get more than even.Goldie Hawn is an aging actress who goes through all kinds of makeup and plastic surgery just to stay young. Graduate to character roles Goldie, better than you did that. Diane Keaton is this sunny optimist whose world was her marriage and she still tries to maintain her sunny outlook on life. Midler is the most bitter of all as her family money and connections help start Dan Hedaya's successful furniture business.It's Hedaya who suffers the most, but he's also the most likely in the end to realize what a jerk he's been. Of all the supporting roles I liked Philip Bosco best as Midler's Uncle Carmine. It irks him how his niece has been disgraced for as he puts it, he started his business with a lot of merchandise that fell off the back of a truck.Goldie Hawn's best scene is with her cosmetic surgeon Rob Reiner who tells her she's over the legal limit for botox. Hawn is beginning to sound like Gloria Swanson on being an aging actress, but no way is she ready for any closeup believe it or not Mr. DeMille.In fact her ex who is a producer has the chutzpah to want Hawn to play mother in his next picture opposite Elizabeth Berkley the teenage bimbo he wants to go back to his teen years with. Maggie Smith who is a marriage veteran herself who keeps herself nicely from alimony is friend to these women. Watch some of her work with the world's worst interior decorator Bronson Pinchot.In the end the women get into a worthwhile endeavor and do realize revenge is sweet but there's more to life than getting even.The First Wives Club is built nicely on the foundation of the good chemistry developed between the three first wives. And they get good ensemble support as well. A nice comedy from the 90s.

"First Wives Club" is an example of excellent movie making. The pacing, the continuity, the look of the scenes and the characterizations are all very funny and charming and entertaining. For a big budget holiday movie made to make money, it does its job and does it very well. Midler is especially excellent. So is Dan Hedaya as her ex and Dame Maggie Smith as a friend indeed. I think that the major reason that the movie is unappreciated by too many critics is because it's a "woman's picture." It's designed to be a very light comedy that brings in women and their families to generate box office. Whatever its genre, however, the movie works in every way it's intended to work. The sets are great, the costumes are perfect and the acting is really funny and also touching when it needs to be, such as when Sarah Jessica Parker says to Bette Midler, "Brenda, this outfit might look really good on you... why don't you try one on in YOUR SIZE!" Midler's fury suddenly deflates, and she exhibits pathos. Lots of funny lines and facial expressions and over-the-top emotion, and the directing was, I think, very precise and well done.

This movie has no depth, no meaning and no direction... I would have expected more than below average from these actresses. It just looks like these fading actresses have paid someone to make this movie so that they can have some more time under the spotlight. The script is utterly disgusting and absolutely noting as far as acting is concerned. 1:42 mins of disappointment.... you wait for something average to turn up, although going by the way this movie goes, it does not look like there will be anything above average, still going by these actresses track records, you hope for them that something the movie will take a turn for the good.

That's it.You'll thank me later for saving you the cost of renting this truly appalling movie starring three women who all know men better than to really believe this pseudo - feminist horse puckie. And it's not even true to its outrageous premise because they all take their exes back in the end.... And its got Maggie Smith in it.My cup runneth over. Miss Midler is very loud and Jewish,Miss Hawn scatty and blond,Miss Keaton fragile and WASP.How daring is that? There is a scene on a window cleaner's hoist that is so long and unfunny I was holding my head in my hands by the end of it. Does Miss Midler get to sing "The wind beneath my wings"?You'll have to watch it to find out,but if you're rather hoping she does then "The first Wives' club" may well be right up your street.