In the end, English just wants to make a nice chick flick with some sassy lines. Genuine nastiness has been eliminated, while not-very-funny banter is retained.
Comment
09/12/08
The Women (2008)
13
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:142
Fresh:18
Rotten:124
Average Rating:3.9/10
Consensus: The Women is a toothless remake of the 1939 classic, lacking the charm, wit and compelling protagonists of the original.
Theatrical Release:12-09-2008
Synopsis: Packed with an all-star cast, Diane English's (MURPHY BROWN) contemporary version of THE WOMEN showcases the talents of Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith, Candice Bergen, and Debra... [More]
Starring: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing
Director: Diane English
Reviews for The Women
In 1939, it [dialogue] was hip and maybe even scandalous...That type of talk and the behavior of these characters crossed the oldie-moldy line somewhere in the early 1970s.
09/12/08
Though aspects of the 1939 comedy seem silly and shrill now, they were at least consistently entertaining. Where the original was deliciously loopy and melodramatic fun, this one is watered-down, sappy and earnest.
09/12/08
How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways…
09/12/08
What was then snappy dialogue from meowing madams acting out a morality play on everything that stinks about haute society now flaccidly flaps, lost in translation from old world to new.
09/12/08
A mess.
09/12/08
While the actors do what they can, too many characters come off as concepts, not people.
09/12/08
Even those who never saw Cukor's movie will feel something is missing in English's version. Yes, some of what's missing is humor and snappy dialogue, but that could be forgiven, if only some of the characters were more believable.
09/12/08
You go, girls. Preferably as far away as possible.
09/12/08
English has shown herself to be an adept, perceptive, and at times funny writer, but too little of that is on display here.
09/12/08
This is a brave but futile endeavor.
09/12/08
The tried-and-true characters still strike sparks. And even if the best parts are warmed over, the dish is still great.
09/12/08
Just shoot me. Filled with the shallowest women you're likely to meet, the movie is a chick flick in the worst sense of that phrase. ... Gag!
09/12/08
A total disaster.
09/12/08
It's not every movie that makes you wish Vin Diesel would run in and start blowing up stuff.
09/12/08
Sex and the City was smarter. Mamma Mia! was dopier. But both, unfortunately, were more entertaining than The Women.
09/12/08
Instead of smart, subtle and snappy, writer/director Diane English goes for the big, loud and brassy.
09/12/08
The cast is full of top-notch comedic actresses, but they’re relegated to roles they could play in their sleep.
09/12/08
Abandon hope, all ye who enter here: Strange casting and a lousy script make The Women the sort of film that's pure torture to sit through.
09/12/08
Fourteen years in the making, The Women marks a serviceable directorial debut for English.
09/12/08
Latest News for The Women
January 21, 2009:
Razzies Name 2008's Worst Movie Nominees
No awards season would be complete without the Golden Raspberry Awards (AKA The Razzies), awarded each year to the very worst movies to hit Hollywood. This year's winners will... More...
January 04, 2009:
Visual Hollywood: The Women is partially salvaged from being endlessly offensive, as the witty and warm ensemble chemistry of these actresses kicks in. 
More...
January 04, 2009:
Iconoclast.com: The Women: Eva Mendes On Pie, Boy Talk And Trying Not To Play Bitchy
More...
January 03, 2009:
Sex, lies and shopping: An exclusively perky female milieu of smart and sassy, if also frivolously inclined backtalk babes.
More...
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