The First Wives Club (1996)

Reunited by the death of a college friend, three divorced women seek revenge on the husbands who left them for younger women.

Director:

Hugh Wilson

Writers:

Olivia Goldsmith (novel), Robert Harling (screenplay)

Stars:

Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bette Midler	...	Brenda Cushman
Goldie Hawn	...	Elise Elliot
Diane Keaton	...	Annie Paradis
Maggie Smith	...	Gunilla Garson Goldberg
Dan Hedaya	...	Morton Cushman
Sarah Jessica Parker	...	Shelly Stewart
Stockard Channing	...	Cynthia Swann Griffin
Victor Garber	...	Bill Atchison
Stephen Collins	...	Aaron Paradis
Elizabeth Berkley	...	Phoebe LaVelle
Marcia Gay Harden	...	Dr. Leslie Rosen
Bronson Pinchot	...	Duarto Feliz
Jennifer Dundas	...	Chris Paradis
Eileen Heckart	...	Catherine MacDuggan
Philip Bosco	...	Uncle Carmine Morelli

Storyline

After years of helping their hubbies climb the ladder of success, three wives have been dumped for newer, curvier models. 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! Sit back and watch the sparks fly as The Wives get mad, get even and get it all. Justice has seldom been so sweet. Or so much fun.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | satire | reference to sean connery | 1960s | adultery | 

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Taglines:

Don't get mad. Get everything.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, some mild language and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

El club de las divorciadas

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

ITL 3,900,042,000 (Italy) (31 January 1997)

Gross:

ITL 5,349,973,000 (Italy) (28 February 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last feature film of Eileen Heckart.

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Goofs

When the women get their drinks, Elise takes the straw from her vodka on the rocks. When the camera turns back to her, it's back in the glass again.

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Quotes

Brenda: My, my, the bulimia has certainly paid off.

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Connections

References The Freshman (1990)

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Soundtracks

"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"
Written by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart
Performed by Eurythmics and Aretha Franklin

User Reviews

feel-good chick-flick

I really like this film. Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, and Stockard Channing have been friends for years and all have something in common - cheating, flaky husbands. So far, so cliché.

But the 'First Wives Club' is an inspired bit of fluff, fun, perceptive, and full of high spirits. These forty-something ladies replaced by younger models aren't going to take their fate lying down, and what a hoot it is watching them set up their outfit to take fickle men to the cleaners.

OK, the film is a little sexist, with a one-dimensional view of both men and women; but it succeeds as entertainment. Some of the supporting caricatures are simply hideous, but work well. You can also spot stars of the future such as Sarah Jessica Parker in smaller roles.

If you take this film for what it is, you'll probably enjoy it. It's one of those films that you'll either love or hate - but with this calibre of cast it's worth a look.