A Good Woman (2004)

Modern take on 19th century morality tale

What makes this film wonderful is that it is made after Oscar Wilde's play "Mrs. Windermere's Fan". For anyone who saw his play in the theatre, this film is visual disappointment in terms of costumes, jewelry, hair and mannerisms of the female characters. Two main female leads Scarlet Johnasson and Helen Hunt are miscast. It is almost as if their roles are reversed. Johansson is too seductive to be cast as a prim young bride, while Hunt's thin lips and deep, severe facial lines make her even less appealing in her role of a seductress of men. Wilde's smart snippets of wisdom make this film lively. Although film was made in Italy, I wish there were more beautiful places showing in the film that could entice some true romantic emotions - but that is not the case. Tom Wilkinson is great in portraying aging, wealthy man, somewhat pretending to be shallow and yet remaining irresistibly endearing. The moral tale of how men can get away with being a playboy while women have to conform to a higher standards of a moral virtue is still true today. I liked the line that Helen Hunt had where she says to a young woman:"Do you think that just because we got a right to vote that makes us equal to the standards of men?" Good entertainment, but not a great movie. October 15, 2008

One of My Favorites

I saw this film on an international flight a couple of years ago, before it was released in the US, and loved it. I thought everyone in it was great, the location perfect for the story, and that all of the elements came together nicely. I've seen it several times since and my feeling for this film has not changed. It's one of my all-time favorite films. September 9, 2008

Pleasantly Surprised by Character-driven Storyline

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. The deep characters enthralled me, especially Helen Hunt's character, who lives a conflicted life without regrets--if you can believe that--and who is immediately sympathetic, despite her nefarious reputation. The complex character-driven storyline kept me on the edge of my seat, literally. At one point in the film, I jumped from my seat, angry at one of the antagonists, a wimpy, red-headed prig, with a little dog she obviously loves more than she loves other people--I jumped from my seat in anger, certain she was going to hell. Everything came together in the penultimate scene, which set up a resolution I did not see coming. This is a story about love, trust, gossip, and the nature of truth.

Note that Helen Hunt plays a different kind of character in this film, one that not everyone may find enjoyable. And some of the characters are weak, thrown in for comedic effect, which unfortunately doesn't always work. And if the critics are right, you might enjoy Oscar Wilde's original play more, but you can't get that on DVD.

Bottom line: There is only a handful of films that have enthralled me as A Good Woman has. Despite the critics' balking, 93 minutes well-spent. I rate it 5 stars out of 5, because not only did I love watching it, I feel like I want to watch it again as soon as possible. June 20, 2008

Thoroughly enjoyed it!

I expected light fluff from this movie and was pleasantly surprised to discover it was so much more. It had so many elements that I love in movies: great scenery, great dialogue, wit, humor and touching moments. I watched it twice in one week (not counting the time with the commentary) and cried both times at one scene. Telling too much about the plot will spoil it for anyone who wants to be surprised. Just watch it. Helen Hunt is outstanding. Actually everyone is good. June 1, 2008

Hollywood at its very best

During the last few years while Hollywood was immersed in their orgy of films that celebrate violence, death and destruction three small European companies got together and hired a gifted writer to adapt Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, for those who may not be familiar, a much heralded stage drama (a Comedy of manners as it was then called) first presented in the London stage in 1892.

Here is story containing much of the original, brilliant wit of Oscar Wilde. Here is a lovely cast of carefully selected, talented actors and here is a motion picture every bit as filmic as anything yet done, re-set at the 1930 seaside village of Amalfi, Italy, a watering place for the rich in pre-Hitler Europe.

The period is lovingly restored perhaps only in the ways of Italian craftsmen in costume, architecture, ambiance and even camera film tone. This care extended to the performances by actors we all recognize and admire; Helen Hunt, here, surprisingly beautiful, Tom Wilkinson and Scarlett Johansson.

The film was not really seen here although apparently released theatrically. Why not is puzzling and why the critics did not like it while they go bonkers over junk is far beyond my ken.

Fortunately I saw the entire movie on Comcast's On Demand completely free of breaks and commercials on my large Sony Bravia. For two hours I was in heaven with my cup of coffee and a cinnamon-raisin bagel from Brueggers' downstairs. If you want to escape to what surely was a more graceful time of letters and human behavior please get a hold of the DVD which is available at this writing.



April 19, 2008

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