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The First Wives Club
1996 102 min United States of America PG 16+
★6.8
Comedy
Director: Hugh Wilson
Trailers
Description
After years of helping their hubbies climb the ladder of success, three mid-life Manhattanites have been dumped for a newer, curvier model. But the trio is determined to turn their pain into gain. They come up with a cleverly devious plan to hit their exes where it really hurts - in the wallet!
Budget:
$26M
US Gross:
$105.49M
Worldwide:
$116.4M
Starring
Goldie Hawn
Actor
Bette Midler
Actor
Diane Keaton
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1997
— Best Score for a Comedy or Musical
Key opinion
The First Wives Club is widely praised for the charismatic performances of its lead trio, who anchor the film's shift from tragedy to lighthearted, empowering comedy. While some viewers appreciate its message of female resilience and friendship, others find the plot contrived and the characterization of the male counterparts overly simplistic.
| Acting | Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton deliver stellar, highly charismatic performances that anchor the entire film. | |
| Emotion | The film effectively balances a tragic premise—a friend's suicide—with an uplifting, satirical, and comedic tone that resonates with its target audience. | |
| Score | Mark Shaiman's score is a standout element, earning critical acclaim and enhancing the film's overall charm. | |
| Screenplay | The plot and revenge mechanics are viewed by some as contrived or formulaic, leaving others to feel the film lacks true thematic depth. | |
| Adaptation | The film takes significant creative liberties with Olivia Goldsmith’s novel, creating a divide between those who enjoy the movie as a standalone work and those disappointed by the departures from the source material. |