How a 1996 comedy about scorned women became a surprise $181 million box-office hit
In short: When three divorcées reunite at a funeral, they discover their ex-husbands have all traded them for younger women. Instead of wallowing, they form a pact to seek justice. This 1996 film, starring Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton, became a cultural phenomenon that revitalized its stars' careers and defined a decade.
Based on Olivia Goldsmith’s 1992 debut novel, The First Wives Club was championed by Paramount executive Sherry Lansing, who saw the story of women being replaced by younger versions of themselves as a universal, empowering narrative. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film resonated deeply with audiences, particularly middle-aged women, eventually grossing $181 million worldwide. It served as a career-defining project for its leads, and its influence extended to the music charts, with its soundtrack peaking at number 90 on the US Billboard 200.
The production was marked by significant behind-the-scenes friction. Director Hugh Wilson faced immense pressure, including budget constraints and conflicts with producer Scott Rudin, who was later accused of a pattern of abusive behavior toward staff. Tensions were high on set; Wilson later recalled Bette Midler questioning his ability to direct a film about New York high society, while actor Bronson Pinchot alleged that Midler made the director's work difficult. The script itself underwent multiple revisions, with playwright Paul Rudnick providing rewrites while insisting on remaining uncredited, later describing the final structure as incomprehensible.
The film’s iconic ending—a musical number featuring the trio singing Lesley Gore’s 1963 hit "You Don't Own Me"—was not in the original plan. It was conceived during production to solve the lack of a concluding sequence. Filmed in a single take during the early morning, the scene became the film's lasting image of triumph. Beyond the screen, the project’s legacy is cemented by the famous line delivered by cameo appearance Ivana Trump: "Don't get mad, get everything." The film remains a touchstone for its blend of sharp wit and the cathartic, collective pursuit of justice against those who underestimated the protagonists.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The First Wives Club
- Also: Wikidata — The First Wives Club · CC0
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