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THE WOMEN

Starring: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing, Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher and Cloris Leachman

Directed by: Diane English

PG-13 for sex-related material, language, some drug use and brief smoking

By John Delia

The Women is a film about women, for women and contains only one male in the whole film, so how good can that be?  I guess if you were female it would be great, considering the acting is superb, the direction fair and the content yummy (delightful to the extremely well to do).  Oh, did I say chick flick?

Since I am of the opposite gender and not wanting to be biased about the film, here is how the studio describes The Women. “What happens when you combine a brilliant, all-female, all-star cast, headed by Meg Ryan and Annette Bening; celebrated comedy writer/director/producer Diane English (“Murphy Brown”); and a classic story about a circle of New York friends?  The answer is The Women, a smart, sparkling comedy about contemporary womanhood and the power of female relationships.  Based on George Cukor’s 1939 film and Clare Boothe Luce’s 1936 stage play, The Women whisks us into a busy pocket of Manhattan society, where the publishing, fashion and finance industries play.  At the center of the tale is Ryan’s character, Mary Haines, a thoroughly modern woman suddenly confronted with an age-old dilemma: a cheating husband.  The ladies in her life swiftly rally to Mary’s side, led by her best friend, Sylvie Fowler, a dynamic magazine editor played by Bening.  But when Sylvie betrays Mary in a Faustian bargain, the entire group is shaken to the core – and two women face the most painful breakup of all - their friendship.

If the story sounds familiar then you probably saw the recent Sex and the City or you watch TV’s Lipstick Jungle, both with similar themes and a lot of upscale accessories and clothing.   As far as acting goes, there are some very meaty roles that are ably performed by Annette Bening as the friend who turns coat when she finds her job is in jeopardy.  Bening shows her great talent for worming her way out of some impossible situations.  As for the femme fatale of the ensemble, Eva Mendez is a hoot as the ‘other woman.’  Most women should love the scene in the dressing room at Saks, I should have covered my eyes and blocked my ears.

As far as the men are concerned, the film is like looking into a fishbowl filled with women who are catty, crafty and sometimes very disturbing.  And, you may not want to make this a date movie for you and your significant other, especially if she is your mistress.  You are probably better off letting her see the film with some of her gal friends who will probably either get a kick out of the film or hate it.  

FINAL ANALYSIS:  The Women is the chick flick of all chick flicks, so males beware. 

THE WOMEN  (Running Time: 114 min; Rated: PG-13) 

Reviewed by Denise Castillón 

THE WOMEN disappoints as both as a film celebrating female friendship and as a remake of the 1939 classic film of the same title. It might seem unreasonable to expect this women’s film to be as fun and clever as this summer’s earlier release of SEX IN THE CITY, if not for the fact this modernized version was written and directed by Diane English, the creator of the award-winning TV sit-com series, “Murphy Brown”.

From implausible portrayals of women’s friendships and unconvincing performances, despite its talented all-female cast, makes this re-invention of THE WOMEN insignificant. 

The sole highlight in THE WOMEN is the fashion show scene, where beautiful couture designs, courtesy of American fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez, grace the runway. 

As in the original film, none of the story’s male characters appear in this entirely female ensemble, starring Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debra Messing, Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher and Cloris Leachman.

Mary (MEG RYAN) becomes the object of concern by her tight-knit group of New City friends, when they discover that Mary’s husband has been cheating on her. Even more heartbreaking for Mary is the betrayal by her best friend, Sylvie (ANNETTE BENING), bringing an end to their long-time relationship.

Based upon the play by Clare Boothe Luce and the 1939 motion picture “The Women” screenplay by Anita Loos and Jane Murfin. Written for the screen and directed by Diane English. Produced by Victoria Pearman, Mick Jagger, Bill Johnson and Diane English. 

Released by Picturehouse, in Association with Inferno and Double Edge Entertainment, 

a Jagged Films and Inferno Production with Shukovsky English Entertainment