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…)
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.