In Her Shoes (PG-13)
Mike:
Scott:
Scott: Tonight we are reviewing In Her Shoes
, starring Cameron Diaz as Maggie Feller, a vacuous party girl whose party never ends and her conservative, lonely, lawyer sister Rose Feller, played by Toni Collette.
What did you think?
Mike: I didn't think I would like it, but I really did. This movie is a good drama that really makes you laugh.
Scott: This is another one of those movies I didn't know a lot about beforehand, so I came into it with an open mind.
Mike: I had seen the trailer and I thought, 'Uh-oh. This is going to be a women's movie'. But I found it to be very entertaining.
Scott: I think the correct phrase is 'Chick Flick'.
Mike: I was trying to avoid that tired cliché. But I'm so glad you said it, and not me.
Scott: It had to be said. I don't think it really relates to this movie though, it was more mature than most movies seem to be in that genre... and it was better than most are as well. But if Webster's Dictionary has a definition for it, then I can use it.
Mike: This is an adult movie and both men and women can relate.
Scott: It's a relationship movie, but not a love story. It's not a romantic comedy, what a change!
Mike: Family relationships are the focus, not romantic relationships.
Scott: Exactly.
Mike: And the comedy flows from the movie. It's not outrageous or slapstick. It comes from the very well developed characters.
Scott: The comedy flows out of everyday conversation, not one liners (at least not all one liners).
Mike: I think the writing is very good. This is based on a book, but not having read it, I don't know how much is from the novel and how much from the screenwriters. Either way, the dialogue is terrific and the characters are well thought out.
Scott: I think the casting of the two sisters, Diaz and Collette, was right on target.
Mike: I agree.
The other great casting piece was Shirley MacLaine.
Scott: Yes. Throughout the movie I was trying to think where I had seen Collette before. Now I remember, About a Boy and The Sixth Sense. With subtle touches she can dramatically change her appearance. She even gained 25 lbs. for this role.
Mike: But she obviously loses it through the course of the movie as her character develops.
Scott: Diaz apparently got paid for every piece of clothing she didn't wear in the movie. I know she likes to be in her underwear, but jeez, this was a new record for bum shots.
Mike: Cameron looks good throughout the movie, but becomes more attractive as she grows and changes during the film. Her wardrobe, or lack thereof, will probably help put some male butts in the theater seats.
Scott: 'Go for her body, stay for the movie.'
Mike: But guys coming to see her solely for her looks will be surprised at the nice acting job she does.
Scott: She looks like a heroin addict in the beginning, and then develops a soft, healthy, glow as she cleans up.
Mike: I don't know that I would say heroin addict, but she is definitely trampy at the start.
Scott: Her dark eyeliner made her look sick, not cold sick, but drug addict/alcoholic sick.
Mike: The other nice performance is from Shirley MacLaine. I am not a huge fan, but she is very understated in this movie.
Scott: I have never been a fan of hers either. She was good in this. She has really eased well into her new roles as the elder stateswoman.
Mike: In a number of other films she is loud and all over the place, but in this movie she shines as the mystery grandmother the girls didn't know they had.
Scott: She brought a good mix of humor and emotion to a role that reminds me of her role in Terms of Endearment.
Mike: Plus you gotta love that she and her brother Warren Beatty were born right here in Richmond, VA!
Scott: What? She is his brother? And they were born here?
Mike: Hey movie geek, you will be surprised that everyone reading this does not necessarily know that.
Scott: No, seriously, I didn't know that.
Mike: Oh, well, now you do.
Scott: There are two distinct parts to the movie. In the first part, they break down Diaz's character quickly and show you who and what she is. Next, you see the crash and rebirth. They even throw in a couple surprises too.
Mike: I also want to mention the director Curtis Hanson. This is kind of a departure for him, as he is most well known for films like LA Confidential, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle and of all things 8 Mile.
Scott: I really like the exploding cars and such... just kidding. Towards the end of the movie a new character is introduced and you just know what's going to happen... and it doesn't happen. It was nice to not go Hollywood with the ending.
Mike: You may also notice that two of the producers are Ridley and Tony Scott, excellent directors in their own right. This certainly isn't their normal kind of movie either. So it's nice to see everyone trying new things and being successful.
Scott: The name I want to mention is Catherine Martin, who played Collette's best friend Amy. She was the girl in the hole in Silence of the Lambs.
Mike: Wow, now you really "dug" one up that time. Pun intended.
Scott: So what do you rate this chick drama?
Mike: I give this movie a 4 for comedy/drama and a 4 overall. I think this movie has something for most adults.
And you?
Scott: I give it a 4.5 for drama and a 4 overall. I know women will like this movie and I think men will too.
Mike: With this feel good movie, you won't mind being "in her shoes" for 2 hours.
