I’ve never seen the 1939 MGM classic The Women, which is, apparently, why I am the only person who’s enjoyed the Annette Bening-Meg Ryan remake. (Read Owen Gleiberman’s C-grade review.)
I understand why critics compare the new film, written and directed by Murphy Brown writer-producer Diane English, to the original. Obviously. But since I don’t have that benefit/burden, all I can say is: I laughed. Way more than I laughed at Diane Keaton in Because I Said So. I laughed pretty much the whole way through, too: at Annette Bening (pictured) trying to relate to Debra Messing’s children and leading the stalking mission at Saks, at Cloris Leachman doing a variation of her role in Spanglish, at Jada Pinkett Smith during the labor scene. (And that’s saying something, because how many times have we seen that bystander-is-horrified-by-labor scene?)
So, am I really the only person who thought this movie was entertaining enough for a Saturday afternoon? And how much do you love Annette Bening? (I hope The American President is on TV sometime soon…)
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I’ve had a sneaking suspicion that this movie was actually watchable. I’ll save it for when its on TBS some Saturday at 10 AM.
We’ll see. I’m going to see it this weekend. I did think the Annette Bening casting as Sylvia Fowler had the potential to be great. If you want to see the original “The Women”, it’s on Turner Classic Movies tonight at 8. It’s a classic and very much worth seeing, although probably very different from this new one. Loved The American President – I hope it’s on soon, too!
I’ve seen the original and loved it, despite it’s antiquated views on women’s role in a marriage. But, for it’s time, it’s perfect.
I guess comparison to the original is to be expected. But, it’s an update, not a remake. Peter Jackson’s King Kong was a remake. You’ve Got Mail was an update of The Shop Around the Corner and was excellent, as was the original. This movie is an update of the original, not a faithful remake. If people would go into it with the right frame of mind, I imagine they could appreciate it, or hate it, on it’s own merits instead of comparing it to something it has no chance of being better than.
Also, Mandi, I highly recommend that you watch the original tonight. Then report back here tomorrow for your opinion. This is your homework.
Haven’t seen it, don’t want to see it in theaters (like bobbyrowe, I’ll wait for a TBS showing), and will instead watch the original on TCM tonight.
i love you, mandi. youre never alone!
Mandi, you’re not alone! I thought it was a really entertaining movie. Meg Ryan and Annette Bening were so likable, I felt like I was seeing old friends on screen. I loved the scene with Meg Ryan trying to find fatty food in her house (what WAS that?! My guess was butter, cocoa, and sugar, but…ugh), and you’re right – Jada Pinkett Smith was flawless in the labor scene. I was very pleasantly surprised, all in all.
I really liked it to. The cast was fantastic, and it was just fun to see Meg Ryan in a movie again. So I heartily agree that it is a good way to spend a saturday afternoon (although I saw it on Friday.)
I must admit, the bad reviews turned me off, but after reading this, I am again interested in seeing it. Now just need to find some girls with whom to see it. I doubt my fiance will be thrilled about spending an afternoon in the dark with this film.
i love annette bening… why hasnt she won an oscar yet?
Paige-
Because I have them all.
I didn’t see it, but my wife went with her girlfriend to see it on Sunday. Neither of them knew it was a remake, and neither of them enjoyed the movie. My wife said it wasn’t very funny and that the characters weren’t compelling. Given that she normally likes most movies she goes to, I was pretty surprised.
Ironically, I’d warned her that EW gave the movie a bad review, but she and her friend decided to see it at the last minute anyway. Which meant that my wife had to admit I was right about something. That was just awesome. Thanks “The Women” for being as mediocre as the reviews said you’d be!
Sorry, I have to majorly disagree. I’ve never seen the original, so I was in no way comparing it to that, but this movie is just pure drivel. The friendship between the four leads is never believable, the dialogue is straight out of sitcom hell (probably because Diane English is a sitcom writer), and not having any men appear in a movie SET IN NEW YORK CITY was just ridiculous (yes, I know it’s an homage to the 1939 film and the play, but it’s not the fact there are no men — it’s the elaborate ways in which they are kept off screen that’s ultra-distracting).
Stay as far away from this junk as possible.
Bening is very much overdue for an Oscar(and should have won for Being Julia) but she sure won’t come close with this crapfest.
Grade B: Saw it this weekend and I liked it. It wasn’t great and I certainly enjoyed SATC more but I still liked it. I love Annette Bening and Chloris Leachman and it was just good to see all of those Women. I laughed out loud a couple of times and I didn’t find myself shuffling around. It kept my interest and I was entertained. I didn’t see myself in the relationships however the movie was not about me- I don’t get my nails done at Sak’s once a week either. For me it was just great to see all of the actresses that do not get nearly enough work.
I have to say this sickly sweet we-are-all-sisters mess of a movie left me way disappointed. Yes, I went in not expecting it to measure up anywhere near the original but as a stand on its own movie it was still crap. Even at matinee prices, I should have gotten a refund.
mandi?! I usually agree with you, but seriously? This was so, so, so, so bad. Plot, screenplay, acting, the list goes on and on.
It was also not dripping, but soaking wet in hypocrisy. Example? “My pre-teen daughter thinks she’s fat and won’t eat, I’ll just laugh it off and bring her to my fashion show with size 00 models.”
Also, the message(s) in the movie are so backwards and offensive. The way to get over your cheating husband: A makeover? Ugh. Trite and terrible on every account.
Oh my God! I love The American President! Andrew Shepherd has completely spoiled me for any politician ever.
My friends dragged me kicking and screaming to The Women and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It still wasn’t great or even very good but not as bad as I thought it could have been! I was distracted by Meg Ryan’s lips, and don’t know why Jada Pinkett Smith was even in it, but I do love Annette Bening.
I saw it with a couple friends, and I couldn’t exactly leave them, so I just sat theer and ferevently hoped I would go deaf and blind until the credits rolled. It didn’t happen, so I had to sit through every disgustingly trite minute. What a crapfest! Definitely one of the worst movies I have had the displeasure of watching- and it cost me 10 dollars!
Absolutely watch the original tonight on TCM – it’s free and you can watch in your PJ’s. The original is worth watching. There’s a later remake from the mid-50’s called The Opposite Sex which is not that great (with June Allyson).
is it true that even when they’re on the street – there are no men?? how believable is that??
I went with a girl friend to see the movie today. I enjoyed the movie…you can’t compare it with the older movie, the nuances and subjects are handled differently. There is comedy and a little pathos, it was just refreshing to see a movie without any embarrassing love scenes or male ego trips…in fact, no men are featured in the movie. It allows you to use your imagination and feel empathy for each situation. These women truly value each other’s friendship. It’s not the best movie in the world, but quite enjoyable.
I can’t even use my name. It was good. I’m so ashamed.
I kinda want to see it. I love Annette Bening.
Man has MEg Ryan ever turned absolutely freakish looking. Just Saying.
OH MY GOSH! how funny was this?! Annette was brilliant, and Jada was Hilarious in the labor scene. I cried too with Sylvie…dont want spoil it, those that saw know what I mean.
As a fervent watcher of SATC, this movie caused me to realize how superficial that series was in its “analysis” of relationships. I laughed a great deal in the movie, found the exchanges between the characters indicative of a much deeper understanding of the situations women compromising their dreams in our society find themselves, and was only mildly disappointed when the screenplay resorted to Meg’s character finding funding for her enterprise in her mother’s inheritance. I remarked to my girlfriend, it was analagous to some of the shops in town “owned” by Doctor’s wives whose businesses originated in their spouse’s deep pockets. Otherwise, even with the distraction of looking for a male before the pieta scene with the newborn, I found the movie glorious and am tracking down the ‘39 version to see the touches George Cukor, notoriously gay himself, utilized to create a classic. My thanks to Diane English and ask her to remember that Shakespeare’s works were the sitcoms of his day.Ha
I’ve already decided that I would watch the updated version when it comes on TV, in fear of spending money and possibly wasting it. Anyhoo, I recommend that you go find a copy of the original and watch it ASAP. I’m sure it’s quite different, but the 1939 version has such snappy dialogue that it’s become one of my favorite movies. Besides, Rosalind Russell easily steals the movie away from a top-notch cast, so what’s more entertaining to watch than her do that?
Before I see any remake I have to see the original. Eva is beautiful but she is no Joan Crawford. Joan was an evil little thing in that movie. They should have kept the same tone from the original. those women were very very catty and the women of today are like that. But I can see why a man would want to leave Meg Ryan’s character, look at her face!
I have seen and loved the original version of The Women; however this did not prevent me from mega-liking this new version. I went there prepared for differences that I could accept and left myself open to have fun … and I did. I’m very glad I shared the experience with my daughter.