THE WOMEN

The Women is a remake of the 1939 classic of the same name, telling the story of a group of New York socialites and their various dramas, affairs, etc. Despite using the original stage play and film as its primary source material, this version won’t rise to match the greatness of its predecessor. Something cringeworthy is said, on average, once every ten minutes; but after being subjected to these regular aberrations of dialogue for long enough you have to admit, however grudgingly, that they ultimately add to the film’s charm. And in between all of the easiest man/woman cliches shine a few real moments of tenderness and originality, often prodded helpfully along by the vast and talented ‘who’s who’ cast of Hollywood women. Keeping true to the 1939 film’s convention, not a single male can be seen or heard for the duration ‘ a ‘problem’ that is consistently solved in a variety of interesting ways. (Michael Farrell)