The First Wives Club Review

Messages: Iffy evolution in the three wronged women in the story; they go from just wanting revenge -- to make their fickle ex-husbands suffer -- to doing something for the greater good of society (opening a women's crisis center) and improving their own health/self-esteem as well. But still they ensure their exes suffer in the process, in perpetuity. On the plus side, they are shown as mutually supportive, even when they clash with one another. Most adult males here are shallow cads; there's just one line (referencing a lesbian relationship) to suggest women can break hearts too. The novel was a little more even-handed.

Violence: One character jumps to her death (offscreen); later there's a dangerous stunt on a window-cleaners' platform that similarly imperils the heroines; it's played for laughs.

Sex: No sex or nudity shown, but characters are depicted before/after bedroom interludes. A man fondles his girlfriend's (clothed) breast. One daughter is a young lesbian, and this prompts much talk and eyebrow-raising and a visit to a lesbian bar. Non-explicit allusion to laws prohibiting sex with minors. References to a series of (nonexistent) movies that clearly fall into the "erotic thriller" genre.

Language: "A--hole"; "s--t" uttered once.

Consumerism: Materialism is a strong component of the plot: hot car models, trendy furnishings, paintings, and objects d'art (with a big-name auction house). And, of course, there's a First Wives Club novel tie-in.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Heavy drinking in a few scenes. It precedes suicide (not shown) and ugly fights. One of the heroines is criticized by another for her liquor intake; she straightaway quits drinking.