Coming to theaters this weekend is “The Women.” “The Women” 2008 version centers on a group of gossipy, high-society women who spend their days at the beauty salon and haunting fashion shows. The sweet, happily wedded Mary Haines finds her marriage in trouble when shop girl Crystal Allen gets her hooks into Mary's man. Naturally, this situation becomes the hot talk amongst Mary's catty friends, especially the scandalmonger Sylvia Fowler, who has little room to talk —she finds herself on a train to Reno and headed for divorce right after Mary.
The film stars Meg Ryan, who is incredibly funny in this, Annette Bening, Eva Mendez, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler, Candace Bergin, Cloris Leachman and Carrie Fisher is hilarious. Pinkett Smith and Carrie Fisher steal the movie. They are just incredible as Alex and Bailey. Meg Ryan’s return to the big screen will net her a big win as Mary Haines in the movie. Debra Messing has made herself a bona fide movie star now after playing the neurotic Edie Cohen.
But if you are interested in the original 1939 film, which starred Joan Crawford, Joan Fontaine, Rosalind Russell and Norma Shearer, who plays Mrs. Mary Haines, you can pick it up on DVD at any local video store. The new version is certainly a hit, but it doesn’t compare to the original film. Shearer and Crawford were well known enemies who competed for the best pictures at MGM studios throughout the 1930s.
This film, however, is a keeper. I give it Five of Five Stars. Rarely do remakes turn me on. This one did and kept me in stitches for the entire duration of the film.
Brad Pitt’s big fall film is not “Babel” or “Troy.” It’s a lot more fun. “Burn After Reading” has Pitt in a comedy and at his best. In this role, Pitt seems comfortable and has great charisma on the screen. I’m also a fan of the Coen Brothers this time around. I was the only person in the nation last year that hated “No Country For Old Men.” But the talented brothers redeem themselves with this film that has nothing to do with serial killers or violence. Well, maybe a bit of violence, but it’s done with humor. The film involves a disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent that ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.
George Clooney gets top billing, but Brad Pitt is the one to watch in the film. Frances McDormand is unforgettable as Linda. This film deserves Four of Five Stars and both films being released this week are well worth your hard earned dollars.
