The Women

It's one thing to watch a movie slowly, steadily go off the rails; it's another entirely to watch it go completely wrong in the first five or so minutes. Watching The Women, Diane English's re-make of the 1939 all-female George Cukor comedy, I was pretty much slackjawed at an early gag where, as Annette Bening walks into Sak's Fifth Avenue, we jump to her point of view -- a mechanical, seek-and-buy grid ripped from the Terminator films, where Bening's character can isolate and target Prada bags and other shiny goodies with a high-tech heads-up display showing her pertinent information and price points. I thought Wow, women like to shop. There's a bold observation.

But it wasn't just the tired nature of the gag -- or, rather, either tired (women like to shop, ha ha) or sexist (women like to shop, damn them) nature of the gag -- that threw me off; it was also how completely tonally wrong it was. You're remaking a '30s comedy classic renowned for sparkling wit and acid venom, and you thrown in a joke referencing an '80s science-fiction action film? I wondered if The Women would recover from that initial confusing misstep, but, frankly, it just got worse. English may have worked on re-making The Women for over a decade (one of the DVD's extras explains the tortured, long  route this version of the film took from her pen to the big screen, and English also talks about the film's journey in her commentary), but it feels pretty labored for a labor of love.

The plot of The Women is fairly thin stuff -- magazine editor Annette Bening discovers that her best friend Meg Ryan's husband is having an affair with Sak's salesgirl Eva Mendes, and as Ryan tries to deal with her husband's affair, her friendship with Bening is tested as a phalanx of friends (including Debra Messing and Jada Pinkett Smith) are in the vicinity to toss in the occasional quip or snide remark. The original of The Women made no pretense of being realistic -- adapting Clare Boothe Luce's play, taking place in a world where no men were seen, it's full of zip and zing and mean-spirited good times. This new version -- combining low-blow laughs with high-minded sentimentality -- feels torn in two very different directions at once. We get a scene Mendes is shot like a sports car to emphasize how stunning she is ... and then a discussion about body image in the fashion industry and how it affects young women; you may get whiplash from the hypocrisy.

English's script doesn't help any -- a scene where Bening and Ryan's anger with each other results in an argument where each woman comes around to see the other woman's side while still shouting is clever and showy, but it feels about as real as a three dollar bill.  Several of the supporting characters are underwritten -- Messing is an earth-mother, Pinkett a lipstick lesbian -- and some of the cameos (like Bette Midler's wacky two scenes) feel tacked-on and flabby. Sex and The City may not be perfect, but it at least lets us see the men the female characters love and hate, and gives us the dramatic satisfaction of scenes where couples fight while also giving us the comedy comfort of scenes where friends bond. There's no similar balance in The Women, and after a certain point, the film's device of not having any male characters on-screen -- with one notable exception at the finale -- feels less and less like a bold statement and more and more like a gimmick.

Finally, the characters aren't just isolated; they're unlikable. Ryan's a doormat; Bening's hateful; Messing's naïve; Pinkett-Smith's smug; Mendes is a cheap temptress. If you showed The Women to a space alien who had never met human beings, he would think the female gender of humanity is devoted solely to shouting, shopping, speeches and screeching -- because that's pretty much all you get in this film. If there's a single highlight in the film, it's Cloris Leachman as Ryan's long-suffering, strong, blunt and bemused nanny; if English had given us a film about her alone, I would have far preferred that to the glossy clichés and phony 'tests of character' English serves up with this misshapen, miserable mistake of a re-make.

Comments

[Nski]

This movie stinks! Meg Ryan should have been a clue for me. She can't believe she isn't 22 anymore. Her hair is ridiculous and her idea of acting is to throw her body around like a washing machine agitating.
Why does every movie HAVE to have a gay character? IF it fits the plot....ok, fine, but does Hollywood not know we little people out here know there are gay people in the world?
THE WOMEN doesn't even rate one star.
Don't go see it.
For real fun rent The First Wives Club with Bette Midler and Goldy Hawn.

[Stan]

God, what a stinking fish. Is this a horribly bad ripoff of 'Sex in the City' or was 'Sex in the City' so superiourly mutated from this pile of stupidity? I was so disgusted at the horrible storyline - men only hold back and enslave the poor fairer sex and the only way a woman can make it in the world is to break away completely and do it on their own?
A complete waste of a buck six pennies and an hour and a half (I ran it at 1.5x toward the end because I kept regurgitating my supper). I wish I had read a review on this before renting it (In renting this bomb I actually thought there would be some nudity but in retrospect I am GLAD none of the main actresses dropped their dresses because if they had I might have ripped out my eyes with my fingernails!!!!!)
Just my opinion. Others may differ.

[Stephanie]

Well I LOVED It. Every second of it! =]

[MaryGrace]

I wondered why this passed through the theatres so quickly given the stellar cast. Now my wondering is over. If you don't mind spending a buck and have absolutely nothing better to do - including cleaning the bathroom - this is the film for you. In fact, if you watch it just after scrubbing the toilet bowl, you'll feel a sense of deja vu.

[April]

Funny how people think movies need to change your lives or they aren't worth watching!
I personally think this movie was exactly what it claimed to be, a movie about women and the things that happen in their lives. It wasn't touted to change anyone's life.
Sometimes it's just nice to sit back and watch a movie that makes you laugh at times, possibly think a little or rather reflect, and when it ends you just return to normal life and maybe have a little smile on your face when thinking about something funny that was said in the movie.
In conclusion, relax people, enjoy the movies! Don't get so serious! Really, life's just too short for all the crazy ranting over a movie!
Have a wonderful year!

[Anna]

Given the stellar cast, I was absolutely expecting a far better show. Even much of the acting was 2nd rate. Though it was worth seeing once, I'm sure glad I didn't pay the big bucks to see it in theater. I just expected more.

[SK]

This was absolutely the worst movie EVER! I couldn't begin in describe how bad it was, but seriously it was awful in the first 5 minutes. If I hadn't seen these actresses for the last 20 years in GOOD roles, I would think they were the poorest actresses in Hollywood - not one of them showed well - that's how poorly written this film was. I was in pain watching how bad someone as wonderful as Bette Midler and Annette Bening were...don't waste even a $1.

[Lady Di]

What a disappointment. I LOVED the original movie, Norma Shearer and Rosalind Russell were amazing. It's sad to me how you take a well done, witty film and reduce it to this mess. Meg Ryan was completely miscast as Mary. Norma Shearer played this role with dignity, and class. Meg is ever herself, looking like she just woke up and threw on her clothes and walking around like a mule....not a lady. What a waste of money and time.

[Greg]

The movie wasn't as bad as the bloggers are presenting. Meg Ryan looked awesome once she changed her hair style. I'd prefer Jada being straight, but it was a female movie with an all female cast. Two and a half stars out of four, from a males perspective.

[brenda]

One of the most horrible movies I have ever watched. In general I love chick flicks but this was awful and the two people who watched it with me agreed fully!!! Don't even waste a dollar at red box to watch it.

[Gene]

I'm still trying to figure out why Jada Pinkett-Smith's character was introduced.

I loved it, too! It was a phenomenal example of a good movie!

I actually enjoyed watching this movie with its all star cast. But when I watched it I did not know that this was a remake until I watched all the special features. Then I even understood why some of the actresses were portrayed the way they were. The director was trying to show how women changed over times not needing men. This helped me clear up the Jada Pinket Smith character which I really felt led nothing to the film but at least later knew why she was in it. I also thought the Bette Midler scene was a bit much but enjoyed the movie much more than some of the others I rented this weekend.

[Kathy]

The acting in this is horrible. We need more good movies about women, but they haven't "helped the cause" with this. Pitiful....

[Dave]

I just watched it to see if a man ever appears in the film and one never does.

[brooke]

Absolutely horrible. The screen play could have been written by the third grader (minus all the dirty sludge) and the acting was torture to watch, too. But really, there wasn't much those poor actresses could do with the material they were given to work with. Confession, I turned the movie off half-way through.

[Kristi]

I was reading a magazine the entire time. What does that tell you? 0 stars.

[Bruce]

I watched this movie with my girlfriend and her 16 year old daughter and at the end, we all looked at each other and went huh, "well that's 1 1/2 hours of our lives we'll never get back". We would have been better off to buy a lottery ticket, at least then we had a dream.

[JT2]

This was definitely NOT one of my favorites... watched with my girlfriend, and was disappointed. I'm not much of a fan of Sex in the City, but even that was way better than this. I was looking for a guy through the whole movie and the only one I ever saw (maybe) was the baby at the end... but it could've been a girl passed off as a guy. I was very ready for the movie to end.

[shelley]

i just had surgery tuesday and this was on the top of my list to rent when i was recovering. my husband checked the video store 4 days in a row and it was always out. well, we finally got it at redbox and wow. This was a HUGE disappointment. Such a talented cast and this is what they came up with??? Jada's character should not have even been in there at all, she was pointless. I LOVE chick flicks and hadn't seen a good one in a long time so I was really excited but this movie was a HUGE HUGE letdown.

[Linda]

I also very much enjoyed this movie. It was comfortable...a movie without violence in these days is enough to make me go see it! I love all of these actresses and it was great seeing them all together. They all looked great and all relatable. I can literally see the venomous drool coming out of some of these blogs at the opportunity to criticize such a successful group of ladies. Pity

[imv]

My best friend & I saw this movie at the theater and we both laughed our a**es off during pretty much every scene, as idd the rest of the theater filled with women and 1 or 2 men. The movie itself was slightly silly, overdone and some of the acting is poorly done as well, but it was still a comedy, not a drama. To poster Dave: No, the movie has not one single male actor in it, one of the premises & marketing tools of it being called "The Women."

[Ash]

Men, this movie was not for you. Yeah, I'll give it to you, it wasn't Schindler's List. But I thoroughly enjoyed watching this bonafide chick flick with my mom, aunt, and cousins. We had a good time. Calm down and have a good laugh. Sheesh.

[julie]

I thought it was a good funny movie...love meg ryan in anything she does...

[TN]

Well, first off, I never pay the OUTSTANDING rate to see any movie in the theater no matter if its the best movie in the world.

This movie was not terrible as everyone states, of course it wasnt the best movie I have ever seen either, but well worth the $1 to watch it. It was just an easy going movie, sometimes it is refreshing to see "A" List actors go a little off there normal grid. It did however remind me of the First Wives Club, which I liked better then this movie.

I dont think it is a movie for a person who is trying to take it too seriously and I dont think a man would have a good time watching it. It is a Chick Flick dramady all the way and I would watch it again.

[Bobbi]

My 22-year old daughter and I watched this together, and we didn't care for it. Meg Ryan needs to get into some more age-appropriate roles, and stop it with the Annie-Hall type clothes! We agreed that both Bette Midler and Jada Pinkett-Smith's characters were unnecessary to the film. I think writer/director Diane English just called up every one of her girlfriends and said "wanna be in my movie"? I half expected to see Cybill Shephard, Goldie Hawn and Barbara Hershey stroll through....Cloris Leachman was a hoot though!

[Vicky from the Fort]

I absolutely adored this movie! It was Sex in the Coty meets Girlfriends :) I sent my husband away, put the kids to bed and curled up on the couch. I was not disappointed at all! Would totally recommend if you are obviously not soooooo critical. I mean, it's only a dollar and some change.

[Vicky from the Fort]

I absolutely adored this movie!It was like Sex and the City meets Girlfriends. I loved the story line and it was not as predictable as some of these dramedy's can be :) I would definitely recommend sending the husband away, putting the kids to bed and curling up on the couch with a snack and indulging in this flick!

[Melissa]

You know, I have to agree with the author of this review. I waited and waited to see this movie because I thought it would be a great thing to watch on DVD with the girls. And I was absolutely bored and appalled at the awful acting by such a great group of actresses. It was just awful!

[Kristen]

It seems this movie didn't go over well .. but I disagree.
Yeah, it wasn't one of the best movies i've seen .. but I did watch it two days in a row. I thought it was a really good "chick flick" type movie, sometimes I like those cheesy movies, so I felt it was perfect for what I was looking for.
Not overly sexual like sex and the city, but the little jabs in there once in awhile

[hkwall]

I was really surprised at how bad this movie was. I don't know, maybe my expectations were too high. I am generally one to like a movie simply if I was entertained...but while watching this movie, I was simply perplexed at everything that went on. There were a number of pointless characters, pointless scenes, and overall, the story just did not gel together. I'm glad to read through the comments on this page because I thought it was me...

[N]

it was painfull to watch - I was really trying to like it

[Rhonda]

My boyfriend and I went to see it at the theatre the weekend it opened. He was one of three guys in the theatre. We both liked it. It was not the best movie ever, but it was good. I have recommended it to several of my girlfriends. For the most part guys, you won't enjoy or understand!! I didn't realize it was a remake until I say the original on TV several weeks after I saw this one.

[Michele]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! And the critic is just plain crazy for knocking it. The bottom line is this is a CHICK FLICK, so HELLO maybe a female should give the review for such films as this. They are supposed to be silly yet heartfelt at the same time. I highly recommend the movie & I must say Meg Ryan looked amazing in it! I would love to know the name of her stylist! :-)

[Carina]

I don't know what movie ya'll were watching, it was very good even though it was a knock-off of sex & the city. Was witty, humorous, and had some drama. Great acting & everything!!!

[Trina]

This movie was okay for the first 10 to 15 mins then dragged! No men which I was waiting to see the husband at least! Meg Ryan played the same character she always does, and Annette Benning looked awful awful awful! I though Deborah Messing was pretty - until this movie. Why did they do that to her? Eva was beautiful as usual! Don't waste your money on this one.

[Diana]

I was excited to see this movie. The cast was remarkable and I was really up for seeing a chick flick. However, this film really did stink. All about Meg Ryan's character and her husband cheating. It reminded me a lot of "Something to talk about" with Dennis Quaid and Julia Roberts except I actually liked that film.

[Debbie]

God where are you people from? Aren't you sick of horror, blood and guys with guns, women detectives with cleavage????? ha ha, I LOVED this movie, then went out and bought it the next day. Messing is so stupid she's funny and Benning is hilarious...you've got to know what kind of movie you're renting before you do and then complain about it...my god, it wasnt supposed to be the Terminator!!!! Movies are supposed to be funny and its nice to see someone win in the end without her husbands help....

[lavon]

I like this movie. I love the 1939 version of this movie.

I knew what to expect when I saw the title of the movie.

I wondered how the remake was going to be. If the advice was just as stupid as the advice given in 1939. Well I guess you cannot get everything updated to 2008.

If you take into consideration all the changes that took place for women in this time period they would have had to make a completely different story all together.

This was meant to be a remake and that is what it was. I say see it.

[Valerie]

I loved the movie - no, not the greatest ever written, but I loved the original one and enjoyed the storyline with the modern setting. It's supposed to be funny, and the characters are supposed to be stereotypical to make the point. I laughed through the entire movie.

[BFine]

I LOVED this movie. It was an emotional laugh, cry roller coaster ride from beginning to end. PERFECT chick flick in my book!

[Mary]

c'mon, i loved the movie! Do not dissect it like you were expecting it to be Movie of the Year. It's a comedy for Pete's Sake! If you have taken notes so that you can have a "trashing commentary" of the movie, get a life!

[Rachel]

The women was a TERRIBLE remake of a terrific movies with real acting and thoughtful well done scripting. The whole movie was painful to watch, Jada Pinkett with her over gay creature that made her completely unbelievable, Meg Ryan with the frumpy door mat look through the whole movie (even when she was done over) was disgusting!!! and Sylvia could not hold a candle to the original. You would think that these talented actresses would pick their roles more wisely!! maybe this'll be the lesson.

[jess]

I hate to jump on the hate band wagon - but this movie was horrible and I am a woman. I don't think I laughed once - lack of character development in which I didn't like any of them - horrible acting which was a shock considering the cast - no wit to the script - ugh... Honestly, the last movie I remember being this bad was Miss Congeniality 2.

It really isn't about diminishing any of the actresses success - my expectations were high because of their success - None the less this movie sucked.

[Gabrielle]

Remakes are ALWAYS worse than the original (with a few exceptions, such as "The Thomas Crown Affair" and "Get Smart"), so a remake should always be approached as a stand-alone film, and then you won't be disappointed. This film was simply fluff and should be taken as such--sometimes you're in the mood for marshmallows rather than haute cuisine, so no problem! Personally, as a bi female, I rented it with a friend simply so we could drool over HOT-HOT-HOT Eva Mendez; I barely noticed anything else about the film! To each his/her own! :-)

[Troy]

Rented two movies the night we watched this, one for my wife (this one) and one for me, the latest "Mummy" film. Other than the birthing seen (my wife has been through that 8 times) we both sat waiting for something to happen. I know, I know all women cast, but I think a scene of Meg Ryan confronting her husband and throwing him out, would have added a lot to the flick. If the point of this is that women can do just fine without men... well, I don't think this movie is a strong illustration of that!

To sum up, we were certainly both more than ready for the second feature.

[Eva Ledger]

This was not the best movie I have ever seen, but it wasn't the worst. At least I was able to watch it all the way till the end. Wasn't a bad way to spend the afternoon, and Redbox gave it to me free with the monday code. Thank you

[Ang]

With such a great cast I was expecting so much more out of this movie. It just wasn't good, not even worth the $1.00 dvd rental. Oh well.

[Tina W]

This movie was real, it showed all women in various stages of life, coming together in friendship and love regardless of their economic standard or sexual preferences not every life is sex and the city, and those soccer moms who live vicariously through the big screen can appreciate the realness!!!!

[Christina]

I was disappointed in this film. Finally a film which has the promise of supporting women by being an all women cast, even all extras were women. Yet in its attempt to support women it also pigeonholes them. Why is it the only minority women are either gay or whores? I also thought some of the scenes were poorly contrived and written. The actresses themselves did their best with what they had.

[Christine]

I enjoyed it!

[Linda]

what a let down.The only good thing about this movie was I only wasted a dollar to rent!!!!!!!

[kb]

I will say this wasn't my favorite movie in the world, but I thought it was a great adaptation from the 1939 classic. Yes, it's over the top, but it was meant to be. I don't think one should judge it so harshly without watching the original.

[Paula]

I was kind of disappointed with this one. I love the cast members, I kept waiting for the movie to pick up but it never did.. The ending was horrible, I kept waiting for more it just never happened. It took me 4 days to finish watching this movie, It was really hard to get into...

[Dorothy]

I liked it. Like one of the blogers said it was comfortable. Like the clothes a woman wears when she is not out to catch a man...hummm kind of like the clothes Meg was wearing before her world fell apart.

I thought the daughter did a good job in the scene with Meg's best friend. A nice switch to her 'true' self.

I loved Jada...her face and the expressions she came up with, her body language was so different from her norm. Cracked me up. Especially when she was in the labor room.

These women were acting more like the run of the mill woman across America. Sex and the City….they are not the norm……maybe LA, New York, and other big city dwellers. But in the rest of the US they can be seen as shallow. Money, Men, Career, Clothes, you know, the real things life is about??

[Duchess]

Awesome list of actors - however the script overworked the message to a point of giving this movie a 0 out of 10. Shame Shame Shame@

[gabi]

Well i think its a cute chick flick! its about girlfriends being together and staying friends no matter what!I liked....Meg Ryan she is Fab! but she does need to leave the lip injections alone... too much Meg!

[Michele G]

I made the horrid mistake of renting this from RedBox last week, & still have not heard the end of it from my husband, or frankly MYSELF either. It was the longest, most painfully boring and slow movie I think we've seen in YEARS. Horribly disappointed considering the fabulous cast who was in it. Sad excuse for a movie, on any level of expectation. Dont' waste your money, or even your free Monday codes on this one.

[Kenna]

I liked it! Simple, good humor. I have a friend that does the shopping scan thing, just walks straight through the stores on a zigzag course and knows immediately if there is something she likes, if not she's on to the next store...power shopping! Definately not for men and I thought all the characters had a place since they apparently met in college and remained friends for life. Women do these things,and it's okay so get over yourself. It was great to see a woman survive and actually be spurred on to rise above and succeed over the double whammy from father and then husband, too, neither of which obviously thought she was much to brag about until she stepped out of their shadows and became herself. There more here than some of the above "deep thinkers" can see!

[LL]

I wasn't expecting much out of this movie and so I was decently surprised and pleased with it. I don't go into movies expecting them to completely change my life. I watch movies to be entertained. It was entertaining, a bit humorous at times, and portrayed situations that women experience every day. I also appreciated the lack of blatant language, sex, and nudity that most movies feel obligated to include these days. I'm not sure why everyone is ranting so emphatically about how terrible it was. I'd definitely watch it again!

[AM]

Wow... I thought it was just me. This reviewer went into my head and poured out my exact sentiments about this profoundly blah-zay, overwritten, under-acted, unrealistically bore of a movie. I was glad I payed only $1.08 plus tax to rent this at RedBox.

[Rory]

I absolutley loved this movie! It was witty, clever, and entertaining! Anyone who thinks otherwise probably like the Paris Hilton album

[Lisa]

This movie could have been alot better with the cast they had. It was a bit drawn out. I think there were a few good scenes with Meg Ryans daughter and best friend. It was disappointing.

[Donna]

I am a huge fan of the original movie and was looking forward to the new version. I'm glad I saw as a matinee and then told myself to just enjoy it but I agree with others that is wasn't as good as the original.

[Kerri]

I loved the movie as did my husband. More women need to watch it an see what the true meaning of friendship really is.

[Michele G]

p.s. I agree with another earlier poster, who stated we do not need a gay person in this movie. It really truly served no purpose in the storyline, whatsoever. We all know there are lesbians in the world; however, we do not need this fact shoved down our throats. That only seemd to make it an even BIGGER letdown. Blah.

[Alisha]

I didn't think the movie was bad. I did hate when they made Meg Ryan's hair straight. Does that mean that girls with curly hair are unsuccessful and we won't amount to anything until we straighten????? this is ridiculous. Another person mentioned she basically enjoyed the movie more when they changed Meg Ryan's hair. WHAT IS WRONG WITH CURLY HAIR!!!!!!!

[DJ]

My husband AND I enjoyed watching this movie. Not a top blockbuster, but a good humorous escape with actresses we like. We were amazed that this was a remake from a 1939 film and didn't realize until the end, I'm not sure one man had a speaking role (or visible>??) role in this movie. Rent it for a buck if you enjoy any of these actresses.

[Melinda]

All I can say is I enjoyed it, for entertainment sake. It was not the greatest movie out there but is was by far not the worst. For those who keep comparing it to the original version well if you wanted to see that then go see that. Remakes are made for a reason.

[karen]

omg meg ryan looks horrible. i used to think she was attractive. who messed up her mouth ? why do people have to go "get work done" on their faces ? why not let well enough alone ? i watched this movie (sort of) but only because i paid money to rent it. i hated it though. this too is a movie i REALLY wanted to see due to the line up of actresses in it. i would strongly suggest that you not watch this movie. i was very disappointed...

[Dee]

Look, so it wasn't an Academy Award winning effort - I didn't realize that all movies were supposed to be earth shattering commentaries on the ills of society. Generally speaking I like to be entertained. Gee, I don't know I could actually watch this movie with my teenager and not worry that she's seeing body parts that really even I didn't want to see and didn't understand their presence (hello all you sex and the city supporters, why did we see full frontal on the guy in the shower?) My husband and I watched this movie together. We enjoyed it for what it actually was, just plain fun. I didn't look for the deeper meaning nor to see if it accurately reflected society as we know it. Trust me, my femininity was not threatened at all by this movie or what it portrayed. There was no "cause" to support - and by the way, I always go see the movie the critics pan - they are the best ones!

[Jalyn]

I don't know what I was expecting. It is a "chick flick". It reminded me more of Sex In the City without the "sex". It was light and I didn't have to think much. I would give this 2 stars. I wouldn't have walked out (if I saw it in the theatre). I have recommended it to those that just want to fall into the couch on a rainy day and watch something that doesn't make your mind work too hard. Meg was exactly as I would have expected. Jada did a really good acting job! Annette was actually better than I thought she would be. And I did like the cameo's.

[Cyndi]

OMG! People.....seriously. I truly enjoyed this movie. I loved the characters, even the gay ones. Although, I do not see any reason for their characters to be presented as being gay. It had NOTHING to do with the story. I enjoyed it because of the relationships between all the women. Which, by the way, is what was suppose to be enjoyable about this movie. Why must everyone tear something so entertaining into so many shreds in the name of artistic ability! Shame on all of you who diss this movie with such negativity.

[Simeon]

I thought this was an awful film but sat through it with my wife because she picked it out. We saw the cast and thought we'd give it a go. Neither she nor myself found anything redeeming about the film. From my point of view it presents a very hateful view of men.

[lindy]

loved it......might have to have a few cocktails w/ a friend, but overall it was great with no violence.

[Rachel]

I really liked this movie! I don't understand why everyone hates it so much. I thought it was witty and very enjoyable. I don't know what everyone else's problem is. I watched it two nights in a row and I never do that!

[Jessica]

I didn't really like the movie. I was half way through the movie, and didn't finish it. I returned the movie instead. It seemed boring, it lacked interest. I was hoping the movie would be a lot better.

[Ms. Square]

I actually liked the movie and I paid to see it pay per view. I hate that Jada's character was gay but such is life. Now a days when a movie puts men and women in the movie they mess them up with a sorry love scene that does not fit and takes away from the movie more than it makes the movie. I liked it even considered purchasing it. It was just a movie. I certainly have seen way worse and this movie does not top worse by any stretch of the imagination. I laughed throughout the movie and thought it was fun to watch.

[Montara]

I was anxious to see this movie, and before I got it I found out it was a remake of the 1939 classic. So I got them both and watched them back to back, original first, remake second.

Boy was that a mistake. If I had not watched the original first, I may have been able to seen something of the 'don't take it so seriously just enjoy it' perspective. But having watched the original first...this remake was a big pile of slop, Meg Ryan was terribly mis-cast, and it was painful to see how a screenwriter/director could have gotten something they so loved SO wrong.

If you hated this movie, rent the original - it's EXCELLENT.

[Lana]

This is by far one the WORST movies I have ever seen. Horrible story line. Its been done time and time again. never once does a viewer ever relate to any of the characters. The best scenes in the entire movie was only if Cloris Leechman was involved.

[avery]

Loved this movie! I have both versions and this was a great updated version. It was fun to see the old characters come to life in modern day.

For those of you who didn't like it, perhaps you have never had a cheating husband and didn't appreciate the comments and/or feelings that this movie was made for.

[Beth]

I really enjoyed this movie. I thought it did drag a little but liked the quick wit and snappy comebacks from the cast. This is a good girls weekend getaway flick... I know that my husband would not enjoy this but a group of women would.. the final scene in the delivery room was classic! 3 out of 4 stars!

[Deb]

After watching the specials after the movie I learned it was a remake and felt a little more understanding about the characters. The old movie seemed better. I was so looking forward to seeing the all star cast do justice to the movie because of who they were, but they seemed to be just hanging out getting paid for half the work. I love them all, but the movie was a dissapointmnet. I would not recommend it, but it made me want to see the first one.

[MP]

As a 27yr old women who has seen both the original movie and the remake, I must say I was excited to see what would result. However, I quickly realized that the storyline simply does not fit modern day. While I found the original wonderful, I was severely disappointed by the remake.

[Gen]

Why does every movie HAVE to have a gay character? … Aside from the obvious fact that EVERY movie doesn’t, the answer to your question is, because it still bothers you. When this statement makes no more sense to the movie going public than “Why does every move have to have a brunette”, it will no longer be important to make sure real world diversity is represented in film.

[Michelle]

COuld not believe how boring this movie was. I thought with all these great women actoresses in it, it would be better. It was horrible. Don't waste your dollar.

[kat]

Can in no way say this is one of the worst movies I've seen but I was very disappointed...as was said, should have been a clue when it disappeared from the theaters quickly. I think the best role was that played by Candace Bergen.

No one mentions the similarity to the plot of Starter Wife. Personally I'm a little tired of portrayals of abandoned rich women struggling to make it.

See it on HBO.

[Linda Ritchie]

Wow! Stellar cast, Lousy movie! I kept waiting for it to get better and it never did, but it was better than house cleaning!

[Bridget]

Not even worth $1.

[TJ]

I personally rented this movie not knowing what is was about. I liked it. I thought that the gay character wasn't needed, but I'm sure it was fun for Jada to play. Some of you people look for a movie to do more than entertain. Just relax and enjoy a movie, make fun of the actors and their characters.

[Nicole]

It was a little staged... but I thought it was hilarious when Meg Ryan dipped the stick of butter into cocoa and sugar.

[L D]

Oh my, I started watching this movie....it was one of those movies where you keep watching....waiting for it to get better...you just know it is going to get better....and poof - it's over. It left me feeling like I wasted an hour and a half in my day. I guess a movie is only as good as the writing because the cast has a history of nailing roles.

[Debbie]

I loved the movie. It was a nice easy going film about life and how it can suck at times but it's just for a moment it doesn't have to be a life long tragedy.
Grow up and get over yourselves.

life altering no. entertaining YES! I loved it and to those of you who didn't sorry it was very true about friendship and empowering to realize life with out men could be so good. I loved that there were no men in it. I thought that was hilarious!!Grab a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates and enjoy!!!!

[karyssa]

I thought it was a pretty good movie. A chick flick I watched it by myself and was mildly amused by some of the scenes.Obviously a lot of people hated meg ryan before they even put the dvd in. If you hate an actress or actor that much dont rent a movie they are in simple as that.