2008 ARIA Awards
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THE WOMEN: REVIEWWith such a remarkably large cast of talented females here, one would think this film is a certain winner. In some ways it does succeed with high potential from the all-female cast. Meg Ryan plays Mary, a fashion designer who seems to have it all. Success on the catwalk, a beautiful daughter and a rock solid marriage. However her best friend Sylvia receives the news that her 'perfect' man may be having an affair with a beautiful younger shopgirl Crystal who works behind the perfume counter in Saks department store.After discovering the rumour is true, Mary struggles at first. Her Mother expected it and her lesbian friend now has more reason than ever to convert her. But eventually, Mary uses the event for her own rebirth. Needless to say, she finds her way to be a better mother, friend and daughter through the hurdles of life.Part of the therapy is shopping of course. However, Mary's trip to a resort and bonding with other pampered Manhattan socialites also helps bring back the happiness. The divine Miss M, Bette Midler makes a welcome appearance, while other co-stars include Debra Messing, Carrie Fisher, Debi Mazar and Candice Bergen as Mary's frosty Mother. Relationships are tested to near breaking point within Mary's circle of friends who all begin to question their own romantic relationships.It is nice to see the once all conquering chick-flick heroine Meg Ryan on screen again and she possesses great rapport with Annette Bening. But it's Eva Mendes as Crystal who gleams attention. She's at the beginning of a long career. Her slinky home wrecker steals the show.Mendes is no stranger to controversy in real life and in the film, her presence resonates articulate grace.The trigger effect of losing a husband is told through the eyes of various women, a feminist slice of life which could be described as sex in the city, without the sex! Gossip rules here - there's an overload of bitching in the kitchen about men who are never seen. The volatile psych of the female through a lot of crying and screaming at each other will take its toll on most male audience members. Some may prefer to slip into the auditorium next door and watch 'Max Payne' blow things up. I found 'The Women' to be watchable, its very funny at times, but is nowhere near as sharp as the 1939 original film starring Joan Crawford. This remake is more of an updated reimagining that gets an A for effort.Shane A. Bassett
THE WOMEN: REVIEW
With such a remarkably large cast of talented females here, one would think this film is a certain winner. In some ways it does succeed with high potential from the all-female cast. Meg Ryan plays Mary, a fashion designer who seems to have it all. Success on the catwalk, a beautiful daughter and a rock solid marriage. However her best friend Sylvia receives the news that her 'perfect' man may be having an affair with a beautiful younger shopgirl Crystal who works behind the perfume counter in Saks department store.
After discovering the rumour is true, Mary struggles at first. Her Mother expected it and her lesbian friend now has more reason than ever to convert her. But eventually, Mary uses the event for her own rebirth. Needless to say, she finds her way to be a better mother, friend and daughter through the hurdles of life.
Part of the therapy is shopping of course. However, Mary's trip to a resort and bonding with other pampered Manhattan socialites also helps bring back the happiness. The divine Miss M, Bette Midler makes a welcome appearance, while other co-stars include Debra Messing, Carrie Fisher, Debi Mazar and Candice Bergen as Mary's frosty Mother. Relationships are tested to near breaking point within Mary's circle of friends who all begin to question their own romantic relationships.
It is nice to see the once all conquering chick-flick heroine Meg Ryan on screen again and she possesses great rapport with Annette Bening. But it's Eva Mendes as Crystal who gleams attention. She's at the beginning of a long career. Her slinky home wrecker steals the show.Mendes is no stranger to controversy in real life and in the film, her presence resonates articulate grace.
The trigger effect of losing a husband is told through the eyes of various women, a feminist slice of life which could be described as sex in the city, without the sex! Gossip rules here - there's an overload of bitching in the kitchen about men who are never seen. The volatile psych of the female through a lot of crying and screaming at each other will take its toll on most male audience members. Some may prefer to slip into the auditorium next door and watch 'Max Payne' blow things up.
I found 'The Women' to be watchable, its very funny at times, but is nowhere near as sharp as the 1939 original film starring Joan Crawford. This remake is more of an updated reimagining that gets an A for effort.
Shane A. Bassett
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