Movie Notes: The Women
= 2 stars
Starring Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Eva Mendez
Directed by Diane English
Synopsis
Wealthy Mary Haines (Meg Ryan) learns her husband is having an affair with Crystal Allen, a Sak’s perfume girl (Eva Mendez). Mary turns to her network of friends for support.
The Good
- Annette Bening provides a solid, confident, core performance, as Sylvia Fowler, Mary’s best friend who sacrificed everything for a publishing career. Meg Ryan is also better than usual as the confused wife who learns to follow her dreams. Both actresses pull the movie from complete failure.
- Has no men in it whatsoever, except for a twist near film’s end. Free of testosterone, the film begins with the promise that several talented female actresses (Debra Messing, Debbie Mazar, Bette Midler, Jada Pinkett Smith, Carrie Fisher, Cloris Leachman, Candice Bergen) will have the opportunity to shine.
The Bad
- Despite some hints at modernity (power jobs, a lesbian), what occupies the characters are stereotypically feminine things: face-lifts, manicures, fashion shows, Sak’s, bubble baths, and cheating husbands.
- My hopes were dashed at about the half-way point, when I realized none of the film’s potential would be realized. All the conflict deflates into nothingness, and not even a joint passed by Bette Midler livens things up — perhaps the director should have taken a hit. Ultimately, the aforementioned actresses are failed by the lackluster plot.
Conclusion
I saw this movie unaware of the critical drubbing it received. I don’t think it’s as terrible as many critics said, solely because of decent performances by Benning and Ryan. That said, neither is enough to prop up the surprisingly dull plot. Skip it.
IMDB: The Women
Wikipedia: The Women
Rotten Tomatoes: The Women 13%