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

Out of all the actresses who play wives in the film, Diane Keaton is the only one to have never been married.

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Goofs

When Duarto Feliz goes to Morty and Shelly's apartment, they make a big deal out of hiding an offensive chair by covering it with Duarto's long coat. At the end of the scene, there are several shots with him suddenly wearing it again.

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Quotes

Brenda: My Morty becomes this big shot on T.V... He was selling electronics, right? On our 20th wedding anniversary it hits midlife crisis major. He starts working out, he, he grows a moustache, he gets an earring. I said, "Morty, Morty, what are you? A pirate? what's next? A parrot?" And all of a sudden I'm a big drag. I'm holding him back because I won't go rollerblading.

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Connections

Featured in Loose Women: Episode #13.199 (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Mo's Toes"
Written by Brad Dechter

User Reviews

Midler, Keaton and Hawn as the Three Stooges

A goofy comedy designed as a star vehicle for its three leading ladies, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler.

Is it a good movie? Not really. But does that matter? Not really. It mostly succeeds based on the sheer talent of the three actresses involved, who could probably make a movie about the invention of barbed wire funny if they had to.

I don't know that this movie presents a very flattering image of middle-aged women, but since middle-aged women seem to be the ones who most love this film, if they don't mind, why should I?

Grade: B