Iffy for 14+
Imperfect remake doesn't live up to the original.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although the content of this dramedy is actually on the tame side -- there's a little bit of swearing, drinking, and smoking, and some sex talk, but no outright nudity -- it deals with mature themes, including infidelity and betrayal. One of the casualties of adult characters' marital discord is their child, a painful issue that's handled with a certain flippancy that might be confusing for younger viewers, especially given that the tween in question appears to be truly struggling over her parents' problems. Also expect lots of shopping and label-dropping -- and more than a few jokes about already-thin women and girls needing to lose weight.
- Families can talk about how the movie portrays women. Overall, do the characters come off positively or negatively? Do they seem realistic? Are their relationships with each other believable? What does the movie say about friendship? If you've seen the 1930s original, how does this one compare? Have the messages changed? Families can also discuss the real-life consequences of marital problems like infidelity.
The good stuff
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Messages: A man cheats on his wife, though the act isn't shown, just alluded to. A woman makes no apologies for going after a married man. Another woman gossips about other people's affairs. A woman sells out her best friend to save her own job. A mother neglects her daughter in her grief over her breakup. A grown-up finds out that a tween is cutting classes and smoking cigarettes. A teen obsesses about her weight and people just laugh and dismiss her worries.
What to watch for
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Violence: Two women confront each other; some screaming and yelling.
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Sex: Some parading in lingerie; a woman lounges in a bubble bath; some frank talk about how to pleasure men in bed and about lesbian relationships.
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Language: Language includes "goddamn," "s--t," and "bitch."
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Consumerism: Reads like a Saks Fifth Avenue catalog from the first five minutes onward. The store itself figures prominently, as do many of its wares; visible labels include Chanel, Burberry, etc. Also mentions of Grey Goose, Federal Express, Prada, and more.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Two women share a joint. Some drinking, mostly in social situations. A teen admits to smoking and flashes a pack of cigarettes.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
LAUGH OUT LOUD HYSTERICAL!! by wyndjam
I saw this movie tonight with my mother and teenage daughter. We all enjoyed it a lot! This is a star-studded cast to say the least. One interesting thing about the movie is that when they say "The Women", they mean it. We didn't see one single man in the entire film. It is definitely a "chick flick". The whole audience was laughing so much and so loud that sometimes you'd miss the next several lines because of the noise level. I will definitely buy this one when it comes out on DVD. It's a keeper!
5
The Women by Tracyjan
This was alot more funnier than I ever expected. The cast was wonderful, and they all did a wonderful job in their roles. Even my 19 year old daughter loved it! I have to take my mom to go see it.
4
The Women by brooklyn11
Loved this movie! It is a great movie to see with your girls. Make it a dinner some wine and a movie night! If you have ever had to lean on your BFF's for comfort when you are doing through a rough patch in your life this is the movie for you!
1
The Women by why_o-why
Don't Bother...had great expectations given the cast...and was totally disappointed.
The story line was predictable, the characters were flat . Bette Midler, Candice Bergen,Cloris Leachman, and Debra Messing flit in and out of the storyline under the guise of furthering the plot but really make no difference.
Meg Ryan is her usual "Harry met Sally," "Sleepless in Seattle," and "You've got Mail" character that just isn't interesting, or diverse enough, to play a lead.
Annette Bening played a cardboard cutout stereotype with a totally unbelievable moment of epiphany which left me confused.
Jada Pinkett Smith was angry, constantly, and was more of a distraction in this film then someone part of a group of friends,..what an energy drain.
Perhaps its because everyone in the film has had plastic surgery, botox, or restiline injections, and they can't move thier faces to show any genuine expression. I just can't care about someone when their face looks likes it's been sewn in place.
5
Very Good by MOVIE_FAN2000
It has been a very long time since I have seen a movie with Meg Ryan that was true to her talents. I thought this was a great girlfriend movie. It proves that everybody makes mistakes even if they don't want to. And that most everybody needs second chances.
5
GREAT FUN TIME!!! by ggmom08
this was my first night out in a long time and seeing this movie made the evening; especially since my daughter and her mother-in-law (a friend, too) were with me. we laughed so much. any woman can relate to the friendships which were updated to the 21st century. haven't seen the original movie and can't imagine it being better. the theater was packed.....there was ONE man with his girl friend!!! to relax with other women (who i didn't know) laughing at the same scenes was uplifting for me. the actresses really portrayed being friends sooooo accurately; i really believe they are best friends! this is my review and i'm sticking to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5
I'm a straight guy and I loved it! by Parent22203
I took my teenage daughter to see this movie because it is an important historical event for women in Hollywood. It is a remake of a 1939 movie that was one of the first major studio films that featured no male actors. History lesson aside, I was a little worried I would not enoy the movie because more than a few fan reviews panned the movie. I'm very glad I saw it. This was one of the funnier movies I have seen in years and the performances of Annette Benning, Meg Ryan, Cloris Leachman, and Candice Bergen were all excellent. Candice Bergen's character had the best lines in the screenplay. Meg Ryan has another "When Harry Met Sally" line. Eva Mendes is hot! The morale of the story is also an important one for either gender.
4
It was a good movie! by therealbellafromtwilight
Millions of famous actresses being funny! I love them all!
The story line is --eh, eh--
but its a cute little movie I enjoyed watching with my mom
-CaptainFunLaugh
3
Some laughs for the ladies. by pattisuelang
The movie was full of big name aging actresses. Some aging more gracefully than others. Even with all of that talent, the acting was poorly done. The concept was fun - cheating husband, girlfriends rally around scorned wife seek revenge, yada yada yada. There were plenty of laughs and one-liners for the ladies in the audience. Probably a better movie to rent or wait for On-Demand.
3
Clever nod to the original by klcohn
Very cute. Great cast. A little boring at times. Not half the movie the original is. If you like old movies, see the 1939 The Women with Norma Shear, Rosiland Russell and Joan Crawford! One of the greats! And if you have some time on a rainy afternoon, see this one.