The Women

Rated: PG-13 for sex-related material, language, some drug use and brief smoking.
Release Date: 2008-09-12
Starring: Diane English, Clare Boothe Luce (obra)
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.thewomenthemovie.com/

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The new film ‘The Women’, a remake of George Cukor’s 1939 film starring Joan Crawford, is an aspirational, entertaining, yet predictable dramedy about a group of powerful women who deal with life’s issues, particularly the male kind. Sound familiar? No, not a complete rip-off from Sex and the City, but enough parallels to make it eerily similar.

 

It’s set in New York City’s modern whirl of fashion and publishing. The story circles around Mary Haines (Meg Ryan), a clothing designer who has it all – except a faithful husband. Her best friend, Sylvie Fowler (Annette Bening), a high powered editor of a magazine, accidentally finds out from a manicurist that a sultry ‘spritzer girl’ (Eva Mendes) at Saks Fifth Avenue perfume counter is sleeping with Mary’s husband. The rest of the girlfriends rally behind her until their own friendships are tested to the breaking point.

 

The all-star cast of, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Candace Bergen, Bette Midler, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debi Mazar, Carrie Fisher and Debra Messing, gives the audience a chance to see a balance between good acting and entertainment. The film is basically a comeback vehicle for Meg Ryan whose classic romantic comedies of the past are now just classic nostalgia fare and a reminder of the current state of the neglected genre. She has not wanted to be stereotyped as the cute girl who can only play romantic roles, but one who can portray all types of characters. As of late, she has been in the thriller business. Unfortunately for her, the risk-taking has not paid off. ‘The Women’ will definitely get her back in the lips of directors and producers as it highlights her acting strengths and her charm.

 

Outside of the nonexistent casting of a man, and feeble acting by Ms. Mendes, there isn’t much to say negatively of the film. The rest of the cast contributes magnificently to their parts, Some standouts are Candace Bergen as Meg’s mother and Cloris Leachman as the high class housekeeper.

 

What I liked from this film is that even though it is pure estrogen entertainment, it manages to capture what women go through at the hands of callous and insensitive men with a twist of justice served. Most of us have either been a part of that of have heard of someone who has. A word to all women, us men can also identify with the chick flick sensibilities.