Some movies are classics or at least have a cult following. When remakes occur, it's very rare that they ever precede the original. Films such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), Halloween (2007), or War of the Worlds (remade three times in 2005) offer nothing the originals carried. Remember the expression, "Let sleeping dogs lie"? Well, they mean leave it the fuck alone! Then there's movies that are okay remakes, such as The Time Machine (2002). This film, a remake of the 1939 George Cukor classic, which was also remade in 1956 as a musical titled The Opposite Sex, falls into that category.
The Women has a huge, A-list cast. The main plot focus is on Mary Haines (Meg Ryan), a successful wife and mother, whose husband works on Wall Street. She has three BFF's. They are single and very successful Sylvia Fowler (Annette Bening), married mom Edie Cohen (Debra Messing), and successful lesbian Alex Fisher (Jada Pinkett Smith). These four women come to each other for everything. One day, while Sylvia is getting her nails done at Sachs Fifth Avenue (seemingly the popular hang-out for these women), the new manicurist, Tanya (Debi Mazar) is delivering the latest gossip. She recollects on her best friend, who works at the perfume counter (Spritzer Girl as the women call her) has landed herself a nice, married, rich guy. This is the very guy that's wed to Mary. Shocked, Sylvia slowly leaks the news to Edie, and then eventually, Alex. It's only when Mary goes there that Tanya tells the same story. Mary gets a lot of support from her friends, as well as her housekeeper (Cloris Leachman) and her mom (Candice Bergen). They talk about moving on and about life, then they shop. Mary takes a small vacation with her mom and daughter, and there's more talking. They also discover that the Spritzer Girl is a hot, young woman named Crystal Allen (Eva Mendes), in which, of course, Mary feels threatened.
I know what you're thinking. New York City. Four best friends. Sounds a bit like Sex and the City, right? Well, hold on there. This is a remake. Wouldn't that mean SATC is a rip-off of the Cukor classic? Actually, no. They are on two different planes here. Although there is an abundance of talking in this film, it's surprisingly rarely ever boring, although it does go on a bit too long. There are a few lulls where you just want to dunk your head in a bucket of ice water, but for the most part, you can actually sit through it all. There are also no guys whatsoever in this film. Seriously. Not one single man. Not even in the extras or NY citizens in the background have a single Y chromosome in them. They must've banished men from the set or something. I liked that. That's how the original was. There are even a couple of laugh-out-loud scenes, including when Mary finally confronts Crystal and when Edie (who becomes pregnant...again) gives birth (you'll see what I mean when you watch it). The cast holds the film together and while it's more than likely considered a loose remake, it's a faithful one...and that's ample.
2 1/2 stars
The Women has a huge, A-list cast. The main plot focus is on Mary Haines (Meg Ryan), a successful wife and mother, whose husband works on Wall Street. She has three BFF's. They are single and very successful Sylvia Fowler (Annette Bening), married mom Edie Cohen (Debra Messing), and successful lesbian Alex Fisher (Jada Pinkett Smith). These four women come to each other for everything. One day, while Sylvia is getting her nails done at Sachs Fifth Avenue (seemingly the popular hang-out for these women), the new manicurist, Tanya (Debi Mazar) is delivering the latest gossip. She recollects on her best friend, who works at the perfume counter (Spritzer Girl as the women call her) has landed herself a nice, married, rich guy. This is the very guy that's wed to Mary. Shocked, Sylvia slowly leaks the news to Edie, and then eventually, Alex. It's only when Mary goes there that Tanya tells the same story. Mary gets a lot of support from her friends, as well as her housekeeper (Cloris Leachman) and her mom (Candice Bergen). They talk about moving on and about life, then they shop. Mary takes a small vacation with her mom and daughter, and there's more talking. They also discover that the Spritzer Girl is a hot, young woman named Crystal Allen (Eva Mendes), in which, of course, Mary feels threatened.
I know what you're thinking. New York City. Four best friends. Sounds a bit like Sex and the City, right? Well, hold on there. This is a remake. Wouldn't that mean SATC is a rip-off of the Cukor classic? Actually, no. They are on two different planes here. Although there is an abundance of talking in this film, it's surprisingly rarely ever boring, although it does go on a bit too long. There are a few lulls where you just want to dunk your head in a bucket of ice water, but for the most part, you can actually sit through it all. There are also no guys whatsoever in this film. Seriously. Not one single man. Not even in the extras or NY citizens in the background have a single Y chromosome in them. They must've banished men from the set or something. I liked that. That's how the original was. There are even a couple of laugh-out-loud scenes, including when Mary finally confronts Crystal and when Edie (who becomes pregnant...again) gives birth (you'll see what I mean when you watch it). The cast holds the film together and while it's more than likely considered a loose remake, it's a faithful one...and that's ample.
2 1/2 stars
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