The First Wives Club

Name: The First Wives Club
Genre: Comedy
Released: September 20, 1996
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn

1996

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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7.1

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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The First Wives Club

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: September 20, 1996 | PG

Starring: Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn

Summary: Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton portray mid-life Manhattanites who have more than a longtime friendship in common. After years of helping their hubbies climb the ladder of success, each has 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 toBette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton portray mid-life Manhattanites who have more than a longtime friendship in common. After years of helping their hubbies climb the ladder of success, each has 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. (Paramount Pictures)… Expand

Director: Hugh Wilson

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Edward Guthmann

It's a glamorous revenge romp, a "9 to 5" mixed with "Auntie Mame," and it gives each star the opportunity to do her best work in a long, long time. Read full review

Desson Thomson

And thanks to great existential one-liners from scriptwriter Robert Harling (with appropriate plaudits to novelist Olivia Goldsmith, of course), gender warfare is made amusing for almost everyone. Read full review

Barbara Shulgasser

It's funnier, and bitchier, than Clare Boothe Luce's "The Women," and, best of all, it showcases three wonderful actresses who have rarely been better. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Yet with so much going for it, the film's creators have made the classic Hollywood choice and treated its actresses like flesh-and-blood special effects. If you've got talent like this, or so the theory goes, a coherent story is a luxury that can be dispensed with. Read full review

Roger Ebert

There is undoubtedly a movie to be made about this material -- a different movie. Read full review

Mike Clark

The First Wives Club has a femme casting coup for the ages, and sometimes it only takes the right performers interacting to give sprightly fluff indispensable showmanship. [20 Sep 1996 Pg.01.D]

Rita Kempley

For all their sass, brass and bewitchery, the starring troika can't breathe life into these characters, much less transform them from women scorned into hellbent furies. Read full review

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User Reviews

SilviaC.

Sep 1, 2007

What else could you expect from such a fabulous cast? Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith, Dan Hedaya, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stockard Channing, and Victor Garber . A stunning performance by all. A classic.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

LorenR.

Sep 1, 2007

I absolutely LOVE this movie!!!! It's been my favorite for years! A MUST SEE!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

beingryanjude

Aug 28, 2014

Hugh Wilson could not have selected a more stellar trio to form the First Wives Club. They are all in top-form and have unbelievable chemistry. Plus, it's revenge, it's fun.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ambermd

Feb 21, 2018

Good, entertaining movie about justice with amusing performances from the leading ladies, but nothing original or heart touching, lacking depth and verging on man hating.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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76	#76 Best Movie of 1996
66	#66 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
44	#44 Most Shared Movie of 1996