REVIEW: One of the films released at the beginning of the movie Fall season was “The Women”, a remake of the 1936’s film of the same name. Released by Picture House, the film had an estimated budget of $16 millions dollars and was able to collect $26 millions dollars at the box office in its theatrical run. Probably breaking even in the money department.
There is no doubt that the star power was the driving force with the “The Women”. Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes and Debra Messing make up for an outstanding cast, similar to the one assemble for the 1936 classic. However not even this powerful cast was able to save this film.
Like the original film “The Women” highlights an all women movie. Not a single man appear in the film, not even as an extra. The main problem with it, is not that absent of men’s present in the film, It is that in an effort to preserve the main idea of the original film. Diane English didn’t changed much of the story of the film. I was expecting to see an updated version of the film, with a contemporary flavor other than an updated dialog. However I found a long and slow movie that fails to engaged the audience in any way.
DVD: The DVD includes both, widescreen and full screen version of the film, as well as 2 additional scenes. It also includes the featurette “The Women : The Legacy”, in which director Diane English talk about the history behind the 1936’s classic and her approach for remaking the film. This is probably the highlight of the DVD. Finally there is a ten minute featurette called “The Women Behind the Women” , in which a Junior journalist talk to the cast about the meaning of real beauty.
Release Date: December 21, 2008