From the Archives:
Hugh Wilson directed The First Wives Club, a femme-driven comedy based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Olivia Goldsmith.
Grade: B
| The First Wives Club | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
The film stars Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn as three divorcées who seek reparation on their ex-husbands for having left them for younger women.
The supporting cast includes Dan Hedaya, Victor Garber, and Stephen Collins as the three leads’ ex-husbands.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Elizabeth Berkley, and Marcia Gay Harden are cast as their lovers, respectively.
Supporting roles are played by Maggie Smith, Bronson Pinchot, Rob Reiner, Eileen Heckart, Philip Bosco, and Stockard Channing.
There are cameo appearances by Gloria Steinem, Ed Koch, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Ivana Trump.
The film became a surprise box-office success at its release, eventually grossing $181,490,000 worldwide, mostly from its domestic run, despite receiving mixed reviews.
It developed a cult following particularly among middle-aged women, who related to the movie’s dejected wives.
The actresses’ highest-grossing project of the decade helped revitalize their careers in film and television–at least in the short run.
Composer Marc Shaiman was nominated for the Best Original Music Score Oscar, but did not win.
Goldie Hawn was awarded a Blockbuster Entertainment Award.
Credits:
Directed by Hugh Wilson
Screenplay by Robert Harling, based on The First Wives Club by Olivia Goldsmith
Produced by Scott Rudin
Cinematography Donald Thorin
Edited by John Bloom
Music by Marc Shaiman
Production company: Scott Rudin Productions
Distributed by Paramount
Release date: Sep 20, 1996 (US)
Running time: 103 minutes
Budget $26 million
Box office $181 million
