CHICAGO– If your impression of a book club is one of staid pseudo-intellectuals creating pithy symbolism out of nothingness, then your impression is about to change. Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen star in the new comedy “Book Club,” co-written by Erin Simms and director Bill Holderman.
The awesome foursome – all nominated for Oscars at one point, with three winners – portray members of the title activity, which has been together for 40 years. When Vivian (Jane Fonda) brings in the book “Fifty Shades of Grey,” it titillates and upends the lives of the other club members. Sharon (Candice Bergen), a Federal Judge, begins to look for love again after many years on the sidelines. Diane (Diane Keaton) is a retired widow, but finds her engines revved by a handsome pilot (Andy Garcia). Carol is a chef and wife to Bruce (Craig T. Nelson), and wants to ignite the fire in her marriage again, including slipping a Viagra mickey to her unsuspecting husband. Vivian, in the meantime, has just hooked up with a old flame named Arthur (Don Johnson). Finally, there will be a “discussion to remember” at their next club gathering.
The Members of the “Book Club”
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures
The film was co-written by Erin Simms and director Bill Holderman, both making their debuts in those jobs for the film. Simms began as an actor in 1995, and has worked at various production positions and as a producer. Holderman has a long resume as a producer, including “A Walk in the Woods” (2015), for which he also adapted the screenplay. Both were in Chicago as part of a promotion tour for the film.
In the following Podtalk, Bill Holderman and Erin Simms spoke with HollywoodChicago.com about working with the cast of Oscar winners, and how Diane Keaton helped out in a key scene.
 | By PATRICK McDONALD |