Despondent over the marriage of her ex-husband to a younger woman, a middle-aged divorcée plunges to her death from her penthouse. At the woman’s funeral, her former college friends (Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton) reunite for the first time in nearly 30 years. When the three discover the reason for their friend’s suicide, they realize that all of their ex-husbands have taken them for granted — and deciding it’s time for revenge, they make a pact to get back at their exes.

For thoughts on The First Wives Club, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/LdTzEUEuG24?t=3348]

Video Quality

The First Wives Club has been granted a 4K restoration via the Paramount Presents line for this terrific new Blu-Ray disc. The film grain present is beautifully natural and consistent while allowing fine details to shine through. Subtle details stand out with greater clarity than ever before, especially in the memorable clothing or elements of the production design. Exploring each apartment or any outside location with this new transfer almost makes it feel like a whole new film. Facial features are likewise detailed with fine lines and pores detectable alongside natural skin tones. Colors are vibrant without being unnatural for the environment. The transfer affords several opportunities for them to pop off the screen with the aforementioned clothing. Black levels are deep and inky without any noticeable blocking or compression artifacts. This is by far the best the film has looked on home entertainment.

Audio Quality

Paramount Home Entertainment brings us this new Blu-Ray with a lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that brings the movie to life beautifully. One of the first things you will notice is the importance of the music to the general aesthetic of the film. The lighthearted, Academy Award-nominated score from Marc Shaiman is given a lovely resonance within the mix as it fills up the surround channels. The dialogue holds up quite nicely, coming though clearly without being stepped on by the music or sound effects. The environmental effects are delineated nicely and given a distinct placement throughout the speakers. This is not an action-packed film by any means, but there is a lot of activity within the worlds of these women which gives nuanced life to the rear speakers. This track is a truly pleasing experience. There are optional English, English SDH, and French subtitles provided.

Special Features

Filmmaker Focus with Screenwriter Robert Harling: An 11-minute conversation with Harling who discusses the legacy of the film, the mixture of humor and drama, the attributes of the characters and the performers who bring them to life, the high profile cameo he wanted for the film, the possibility of a sequel and more.

Theatrical Trailer The two-and-a-half minute trailer is provided here.

Final Thoughts

The First Wives Club is a lovely and heartfelt showcase for three talented performers who gamely tackle commentary on how society treats women of a certain age. There are elements of the plot which are dated, especially when it comes to how women treat other women, but largely you can overlook some of the less evolved thinking. Without a doubt the reason to check out the film is the chemistry between the three ladies and the joy they bring when they are with one another. That is one element that has not aged a day, and it is what quickly reminds you why this was such an unexpected hit when it was released. Paramount Home Entertainment has given the world a brand new Blu-Ray with a 5-star A/V presentation and a decent new interview. If this is a film that speaks to you, you will find that this package delivers the goods. Recommended

Paramount Presents The First Wives Club is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.