Locations/Showings
Featuring Mainstream &
Art House Choices

Forum
Scary Movie 3 was neither scary nor a movie. Discuss this & more.

Reviews
Glorifications & Executions of the latest Movies, DVDs, and television shows.

Flashback Flicks
Krull and other "Lost" Classics get their day in the sun.

Crapmasterpieces
So darn crappy they're hilariously brilliant.

TV Highlights
Boob Tube Playtime!

Calendar
A movie/tv related calendar. Covers openings, DVD release dates, conventions etc.

The Stepford Wives

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick
Director: Frank Oz

Reviewed by Dawn Capp

The Stepford Wives has more levels of meaning than it does well-endowed blondes. It's a story about men and women. It's a film about societal values and traditional gender roles. It's a movie about marriage and family. So, of course, it's a horror-filled comedy.

In this remake, Nicole Kidman plays Joanna Eberhart, a burned out network executive who, after suffering a nervous breakdown, moves to the beautiful gated community of Stepford with her husband and two children. Stepford, however, is just too picture perfect for Eberhart's taste, and the women, especially, are eerily chipper and unbelievably well-groomed, going so far as to work out in dresses and heals. Eberhart begins to suspect that the town holds a sinister secret, and of course, she's right. Unfortunately, she makes the horrifying discovery that she is marked to become just like all the other Stepford women.

While true science buffs will take issues with much of the 'technology' exhibited in the film, most viewers will likely overlook the pathetic attempt at science and appreciate the obviously satirical nature of the film. In fact, The Stepford Wives is more like science fantasy than science fiction, but it makes up for its shortcomings in believability with its entertaining storyline and well developed cast of characters. Furthermore, the message the film sends is stunningly insightful: women are better than men.

Okay, perhaps that's not quite the message, but the educated female members of the audience might leave the theater with smiles on their faces and bounces in their steps.

More seriously, the movie focuses on gender roles in both traditional and nontraditional relationships and contemplates the meaning of equal partnerships. Some women will enjoy the film for its portrayal of strong, intelligent, and successful women, whereas many men might appreciate the plethora of pretty blondes with near-perfect figures.

There's no shortage of skilled acting in the film, either. Nicole Kidman does an admirable job as Joanna Eberhart, while Matthew Broderick excels as Joanna's strong yet loving and adorably boyish spouse. Bette Midler adds a touch of spice to the film as Bobbi Markowitz, a successful author and astonishingly poor housekeeper who stands out amongst the Stepford wives like a flamboyant homosexual at a Republican convention (speaking of which, there's one of those in the movie, too, and he's played by the eminently talented Roger Bart).

The movie earns points, also, for making fun of Hollywood and the nauseating plethora of reality shows. Although the story is slightly predictable, it nevertheless will likely spring a few surprises on the average movie-goer. However, it will, no doubt, leave a few techno-buffs scratching their heads and pointing out the implausibility of the premise.

This film is worth a look. It definitely isn't the flashiest or highest budget film to hit the theaters this summer, but it's sure to provide a few laughs and, just maybe, get a few brain cells firing.

Rating:

(3 out of 4 stars)

Want to discuss this, and other topics, with fellow fans?
Post your thoughts in the SJ Fanboy Forum now!