Some old movies are completely underrated. One of my favorites, for example, is one that most people haven’t even heard of—and yet it has got such novelty about it. It’s called The Women and it has an all-female cast. It’s a black and white film from 1939. Well, first of all I’ll just go ahead and post the synopsis from the back cover:
“BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY IN PRIVATE. It could become a movie. Some gossip overheard by Clare Boothe Luce in a nightclub powder room inspired her Broadway hit that’s wittily adapted for the screen in The Women.
George Cukor directs an all-female cast in this catty tale of battling and bonding that paints its claws “Jungle Red” and shreds the excesses of pampered Park Avenue princesses. Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Joan Fontaine, Mary Boland, and Paulette Goddard are among the array of husband snatchers, snitches, and lovelorn ladies. Norma Shearer is jilted Mary Haines, who ultimately learns to claw without ruining her manicure. All the glamming and slamming comes with a shimmery bauble: a fashion-show sequence in eye-popping Technicolor.”
Despite some typical 30s phrasing, it absolutely translates to today. And honestly I think the language adds to it. Apparently a female employee in a department store was known as a beasle. I don’t know why I love the sound of it so much. The movie seems somewhat dramatic, I’m sure. I suppose the storyline itself is, but the dialogue is hilarious. It perfectly captures the gossiping, backstabbing nature of so many friendships between women. These actresses played the original “mean girls.” And the humor is subtle because it mostly exists in their attitudes contradicting their words. Every critical statement about a “friend” is followed by “Oh, but I just adore her!” I love it. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard exactly the same type of thing—too many to count.
Then it also parodies men and marriage just as well. It’s cynical in a fun way. At one point, the crotchety old housekeeper says regarding men: “You can’t trust ‘em as far as I can kick this lemon pie!” I just like that it pokes fun at both sexes and their most common faults equally. Then the Countess, probably the most laughable character (and the one who racks up the most divorces), criticizes the vow “’til death do us part” by saying: “Well, I think it’s just cruel sitting around waiting for someone to die!” The most glorious aspect of the film is that there’s a happy ending that includes equal parts reconciliation and revenge—without the noblest characters becoming petty. It teaches a lesson that love, forgiveness, and gentility always trump having one’s pride to cling to—not a theme in most relationships these days.
Last quote, I swear. The rustic old whiskey-drinking housekeeper at the place in Reno (where women went for quickie divorces) talks about her husband beating her. Someone comments how terrible that is and she says “Tell me about it, when there are so many women on this ranch deserve a beatin’ much more than me!” Her laidback disdain for the spoiled rich ladies is more than a little amusing. And she’s so pragmatic. Haha.
Besides the content, you’ve got to love the actresses. They’re all—well most of them are—completely beautiful, but for the most part normal. No sunken-in cheeks or giant fake…lips…and other parts. You could be a Hollywood starlet back in the day without unnecessary major reconstructive surgery. I won’t dwell on that topic for too long. It’s overdone. Just saying.
I hate to say it but the only thing I don’t like about this movie is the little daughter. She’s a terrible little actress. Talks like she’s sucking on a cough drop. And she looks like a boy. I know that sounds just awful. But I absolutely adore the little dear! Haha.
Anyway, if I were saying all this aloud I’m sure I’d have talked your ear off. Maybe I’ve made you read until your eyes slid right off your face!
Anyway, I’m going to recommend you see this movie. But don’t you DARE watch the horrid remake that was recently released in which Meg Ryan looks like a patchwork quilt with her face all stuffed with paraffin and botulism toxins. It’s absolutely terrible and doesn’t even half compare with the original for humor or artisticness. And yes, I realize artisticness is not a word. Check it out. If you have any knowledge of good cinema (or people), you’ll dig it. I guarantee.
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